Circus is really hard work. Physically it’s all sore hands and knotted tension across the shoulders from neck and head at odd angles. Psychologically it’s that weird mix of adrenalin and enervation from the loud music and the constant pressure. Emotionally it’s the ever-present fear and danger intermingled with the possibility of frightening consequences. It is really hard work and I am just exhausted… too much clapping, too many ohs and ahhs, too much enjoyment. God knows how the performers feel!
ABSINTHE is a 90 minute workout for the viewer. It is a mixture of circus, vaudeville, tent shows and burlesque, held together by the gaudy, uncensored character of the Gazillionaire producer and his dimwit assistant Abby. The green drink is a running theme and the intermittent appearance of the Green Fairy (Australian Karla Tonkich) adds to the leitmotif. Skilled and funny as these characters are, and Tonkich has a lovely singing voice, the circus acts are the highlight.
Spiegelworld was originally conceived in 2006 by impresario Ross Mollison and several productions have been created under its banner. EMPIRE toured Australia in 2012 and VEGAS NOCTURNE, which had a rocky beginning, got some good reviews from the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe. ABSINTHE has a good pedigree and it’s hard to miss the expert marketing of the show around town. Is the hype warranted or is it a shill?
It’s warranted! This is a wonderful show … thrilling, daring, intimate and above all … there are lots and lots of spangles. And pasties. Mostly in green.
The entity of the Gazillionaire, who is a kind of commentator and ring master with a nice line in improvisation and set pieces while distracting the audience from the onstage setups for the next act is hilarious and crude. A certain French Canadian circus troupe is disparagingly mentioned several times by him. Those productions were why I gave up going to circus shows. Too much fill, too few new tricks, too much emphasis on stasis: sculpture and beauty states. This show is not like that. It rollicks along.
In a different incarnation the acts might be thought of as traditional. There are chair balance and hand balance, strongman, acrobats, gymnasts, highwire, parallel bars. There are no safety nets or mechanics and lunge ropes here. Each artist is at the top of their game but the extra thrill created by the danger suffuses the tent.
The Gazillionaire warns people in the front row not to stand up as gorgeous young men hurl themselves in the air. Complete silence is requested as the finale happens. Each turn is superbly and precisely realized. There is no tacky failing on the first try to make it look harder. There are new formations, strong personas and some seriously good looking bodies.
And there is sex. Lots of it, in word and deed, in infinite variety and style including full frontal male nudity no less. This is not one for the kiddies! There is beauty too and the aerial lovemaking of the man and woman on the duo straps and the two women on the hoop is romantic and sexy and the ohs and ahs for a mid-air kiss are a communal coming together of an audience.
If you have been waiting to see a big show this year, this is the one.
ABSINTHE continues at the Spiegeltent in Hyde Park Tuesday and Wednesday at 8pm, Thursday to Saturday at 7.30 and 9.30pm and Sunday 5 and 7pm.
For more about ABSINTHE under the Spiegeltent in Hyde Park, visit