There is a famous theatre review of a show called A Good Time on Broadway in the 1960s. The review simply reads “NO” in a blank column of newsprint.
When choosing a name for a show, a lesser company might avoid giving an easy tagline to a critic but that is not a worry if you are the universally loved, world renowned theatre practitioners of THE FLYING FRUIT FLY CIRCUS. This company of ‘ordinary kids doing extraordinary things’ has joined with elders in their community to create a show simply entitled JUNK. And I can defiantly say “it is not”.
JUNK is set in a 1940’s junkyard. Why a junkyard? The Flying Fruit Flies are based in Albury/Wodonga and since the company’s inception as a school holiday project for the Year of the Child in 1979 they have been a community based organization. The company is committed to creating new and original works and in the research which began this project 2 years ago, the Fruities they reached out to ask about what ‘playing’ meant in the memories of those who were young a very long time since.
Definitely a fun theme given that all the Flying Fruit Fly performers are children, the youngest at just 9 years, and at a time when imagination can run riot with objects rather than screens! A junkyard seems like the perfect place for uninhibited fun away from the risk adverse playgrounds of today.
There are some lovely interviews in a Youtube video about the development of the show at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCmNSuPAMVI where older citizens talk about what play meant to them as youngsters. On the same promo, as the young performers fly and tumble and bounce with ropes and straps and huge tyres, it is so exciting to be drawn into that world of jaw dropping stunts by kids who are definitely not ordinary.
I recently had the opportunity to have a tour of the Fruities, as they are called, state of the art, purpose built facilities in Albury with Executive Director Richard Hull. It was wonderful to once again have the chance to experience the loving hearts and hands that nurture and support these remarkable young people. I interned on a film about the company in the 1980’s in a freezing tin shed and a mammoth tent that had all sorts of technical issues but I have never forgotten the spirit and joy of the company.
“Like any circus we are a family”, Hull said as he graciously showed me through the rehearsal space. High enough to have all the safety needed for training but still accurately simulate a performing environment, the facility’s design is taking the company and its associated Yr.3-12 Circus School to new heights. “Thrive and shine is what we want for our performers. It’s not about tricks like old time circus; it’s about life skills for our young artists. You can’t fall back from a great height unless you have positive experiences of cooperation, collaboration and trust.” And this is true for audiences as well. Hull reports that their peer to peer audience research supports their inspire and aspire philosophy too.
Apart from the experience of training and creating, The Flying Fruit Flies has a strong commitment to broadening the performer’s arts education during their extensive outreach and touring program. JUNK is the next show for the Fruit Flies at the Opera House where they are the current Circus-in Residence. This is a ground breaking two way collaboration that will pursue the joint objective of enhancing cultural, educational and entertainment experiences for the people of Sydney and regional Australia.
But while the show is performing at The House, these junior artists are provided with so many varied opportunities to experience other arts: ballet, opera, art galleries, trips are all on the agenda when THE FLYING FRUIT FLIES’ production of JUNK plays at the Sydney Opera House in July 2017. A National Treasure theatre company performing in a junkyard at a National Treasure Icon. I can’t wait!