Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, roll up, roll up for the one, the only , the brilliant and spectacular Circus Oz (drumroll please ) ….
Based in Melbourne, legendary Circus Oz has now been established for over thirty years .This latest show, STEAMPOWERED will make you want to run away and join the circus.
It is a breathtaking, bold and exuberant performance by a world class Australian cast. This show is about reclaimed technology, rewired and re-imagined for our modern world.
It’s style, ‘steampunk’ is a fantastical ‘neo-Victorian’ ( as in the era named after Her Majesty , not the garden state) time, place and ethos, where ‘new’ industrialised technology blends with romance, overlapping current ideas and invention. An imaginary history/present that never really happened – or did it?
‘If a ‘steampunk computer’ is a fully functioning laptop crafted out of rosewood, brass and faux clockwork, then a ‘steampunk circus’ is a fully functioning contemporary circus dressed in brass and leather , that’s borrowed ideas from wherever necessary’, says Artistic Director Mike Finch.
The cast perform with massive enthusiasm and pizzazz. All is under the energetic, zany control of would-be diva ring-mistress Boss Lady .
The wonderful set has a huge ‘time machine’ (well, sort of ) that powers the company and there is a ‘ blackout’ at the start of Act 2 that leads to some magical events ..
There are lots of fun costume changes , the overall concept being either soldier like ( red jackets etc ) and/or the assorted mad characters sort of timeless/sci-fi in effect.
The orchestra is led by Count Blowhard , with some of the cast members also playing assorted instruments. At times the orchestra is almost ferociously animalistic in its grooving, man. In other sections there are nifty ‘asides’ and neat pulsing rhythms. Timing is crucial (eg for the juggling with Magic Hammond and Neville in the first half and the rollerblade scene with Neville and Fantasia Fitness in Act 2 ).
There are a couple of marvellous aerial acts,- in Act 1 a fabulous duo by EAK! and Minimus Prime , who do a glorious trapeze segment , and in Act 2 there is a hilarious act that ‘goes wrong’ ( or does it ? – a brilliant build up of quirky dramatic suspense) with Doctor Spokes and EAK! – feet get caught, timing just off , balance wrong …or are they ? but it all works out terrifically .
A wonderful section in Act 1 shows off the Circus Oz trademark Chinese Pole balancing (Brasso, Chad Albinger and EAK! ).Dr Spokes has some amazing trick cycling , and mad pilot Brasso ( a.k.a Captain Bravo ) has an incredible death-defying pole balancing section and also a jaw dropping , very funny , almost impossible rolla-bolla act .
The trademark Circus Oz jumping kangaroos are not in this show. However yes there is lots of knockabout comedy , including teeter-boarding and some fabulous group tumbling/sliding particularly in Act 2 where the cast are servants supposed to be setting the table for a very elegant dinner .Some of this was quite balletic ( and note Magic Hammond is a terrific dancer and there is a delightful dance spoof in Act 1 ). This leads to some jaw-dropping brilliant displays of juggling.
Circus Oz has steamrolled into town for its eagerly anticipated Sydney visit, with a show that will have you breathlessly on the edge of your seat, wide eyed and gasping with wonder, all fired up and crying for more ! Ta da!
Circus Oz’s STEAMPOWERED, running at 2 hours including one interval, opened at Tumbalong Park Darling Harbour on Wednesday January 4 and runs until Sunday January 29, 2012.
© Lynne Lancaster
23rd January, 2012
Tags: Sydney Theatre Reviews- Circus Oz STEAMROLLED, Tumbalong Park Darling Harbour, Lynne Lancaster, Sydney Arts Guide