These five performers – A.J. Saltalamacchia, Teagan Leslie, Jackson Manson, Jess Mews and Zachariah Johnson – have recently graduated from the world-famous Flying Fruit Fly Circus and Stunt Lounge is their first original work as professional artists.
Mentored by Flying Fruit Fly Circus Artistic Director Jodie Farrugia, these five young artists have devised an accomplished contemporary circus work, incorporating traditional acts with a twist, co-created and directed by exciting emerging director Darcy Grant.
There is no real storyline as such, rather a series of vignettes showcasing the various stunts. Five housemates doing circus things – including teeterboard, aerialist straps , balancing , tumbling , juggling , hula hooping and other things that will make you go ouch!
An incredible trust and rapport has developed between the multi talented cast of five who appear to be boneless and unbreakable. They perform with fluid, fearless precision and split second timing.
The set is a living room with a swirly patterned rug and various lamps as well as a red door.
The lighting is sensational I liked the very dramatic silhouette backlighting and ‘firelight’ and the fairy lights used at the end.
The jazz/blues/R’n’B soundtrack , at times throbbing and pulsating , sometimes mellow and reflective , features, at one point, a blisteringly hot electric guitar rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow, providing very appropriate atmosphere.
Much fun is had with tumbling acrobatics over a large Chesterfield sofa , all five jostling and squashing for position. The lounge becomes the springboard location for all the vignette , assorted pieces of furniture acting as platforms for the balancing displays, The dynamic teeterboard/ tumbling section is breathtaking and I greatly enjoyed the ball juggling section. There is also a very tricky bottle balancing segment.
Mesmerizing sinuous ,slithery aerialist work was provided by Teagan Leslie on the straps. Mews and Leslie also were amazing with the hula hooping and balancing .
Mention must also be made of a delightful duet by AJ Saltalamacchia and Jess Mews. It combines his incredible acrobatics and her hooping skills to depict a dizzy, delicious young couple falling in love .
This piece is contrasted with the next piece, a melancholic meditation on ageing, being a solo acrobatic routine featuring a pair of furry slippers.
A rather trancelike, gut clenching, very dangerous nailboard section- how does he do it ?- was led by Zachariah Johnson.
The cast’s young bodies are being tested to the limit by the world and each other.
STUNT LOUNGE is an impressive, somewhat whimsical, at times reflective, sweet yet occasionally dark show. It could have, however, featured more musical variation and diversity in theatrical tone to showcase, to an even greater extent, the amazing talents of its sizzling cast .
Running time just on an hour no interval.
The Flying Fruit Fly Circus’ production STUNT LOUNGE, part of the Opera House’s school holiday program, is playing at the Studio, Sydney Opera House until Sunday April 17.
http://www.fruitflycircus.com.au