Left Gasping for More

Not much was disclosed in regards to Angelique Ross, Dylan Rodriguez and Luke Hubbard’s project At The Last Gasp apart from the brief outline of the performance’s aim to capture the inevitable presence of death, through a series of emotive vignettes. However before you turn away at this morbid introduction, let me tell you this description does not serve the show justice. It was a night of epic entertainment, energy, emotion and engagement and here’s why.

As you walk in to take your seat the stage is dimly lit framed with beer bottles and a rather limp lonely figure collapsed on a bed. You are curious as to how this will play out…. death by alcohol? The vignettes all begin with stillness accompanied by carefully sourced extremely fitting soundtracks that highlight the mood to paint the scene both emotionally and visually. Where there was a lack of props the clever use of every day sound effects brought to life the setting, convincing the viewer they are either waiting at train station, at a hospital or simply watching a couple having a meal at their dinner table. Death by drink, illness, love, passion and monotony were all fleshed out and embodied on stage.

NICA students Ross, Rodriguez and Hubbard utilized minimalism to their advantage. With less sparkles and fancy sets or costumes to distract the audience, you are instead drawn to focus deeply on their every move. Bodies, limbs and movements all so carefully organized and constructed to the rhythm of the music are sure to leave you with a spine tingling sensation. When the trio captured fear – you felt it; struggle – you felt it; humour – you felt it. It was an amalgamation of circus, physical theatre and play that evolved as the night progressed transitioning from death to solitude to jazz to ecstatic fun.

All in all, it was a well-balanced orchestration of a difficult taboo topic injected with talented acrobatics, emotive movement, meaning and laughter, which left the audience gasping for more.


 At The Last Gasp
25th – 28th  September
Gasworks Theatre Albert Park

The FRINGE List!

Melbourne Fringe Festival is back again from 18th Sept - 6 Oct!

What is it you ask?
"....a not-for-profit organisation that ....provide artists with the tools to develop, present and promote their work, creating a community of audiences and artists that together represent a National arts network." - festival link

Anything from circus, performance, dance, visual art, digital installations, comedy, you  name it. There will be something for you to enjoy.

Here's my festival list. Let me know what you would like to watch! I may get some free tickets.
FREE EVENTS_

Die Roten Punkte's Circus Discotheque
anything form dance anthems to Kpop!
*link*

Shared Experiences
a shared drawing exchange with artist+audience!!
*link*

Suitcase Rummage
your junk their treasure
*link*

Blindness
theater in the near distant future
*link*

 TICKETED EVENTS_

Elixir
circus and science
*link*

Blindscape
circusdance + digital tech interface
*link*

At the Last Gasp
Circus exploring death
*link*

[Rewrite]
an original musical to rewrite his past
*link*

Lessons with Luis - Famoucity!
I went to primary/high school with the guy ^^
*link*

Songs My Parents Taught Me
highly rated!
*link*

Classical vs Jazz
The ultimate HARP BATTLE!
*link*

Come Heckle Christ
ohla, comedy?
*link*

KAPOW!
for the kids
*link*

In summary: Lets go support our independent artists engaging audiences like you! 

‘Leap of Faith: Circus in Motion’

*pic source*

Final year students from NICA take a ‘Leap of Faith’, showcasing their efforts, training and finesse, inviting you to enjoy, critique and awe at their contemporary circus offer. This is one circus you cannot simply just sit back and spectate. You are visually and constantly demanded to put aside what gravity and physics dictates as possible for the human body and instead be immersed into a world of dance, disbelief and danger.

Artistic Director Matthew Jessner, whose most recognizable work is that of Cirque du Soleil, is no foreigner to delivering an engaging theatrical performance. As you walk in to take a seat, an overly cheery cleaner sweeps up and down the stairs, giving you that odd wink that they will be back. However before you can discern how their comedic role or relief will unfold, the audience instinctively quiets down as their eyes are cast onto mysterious triangular ascending nets. Without any spoken words, Jessner directs the audience, arousing their curiosity as to what can be its contents. One this is for sure though, the nets are unmistakably moving, breathing, alive.

The show has started.

Throughout the night there is clever and strategic use of space, video art, lighting and sound. Projected visuals and backdrops create the illusion of pulling you physically into the stage; whilst deliberate soundscapes from water droplets to children’s laugher to hyperactive rhythms trigger strong emotive responses ranging tranquility to adrenaline rushes. Furthermore, the combination of it all immerses you deeper still into the magical realm of circus.

As the performers 24 in number each present their craft, there is an induced sense of fear in the viewer as you take that leap of faith, trusting there will be a non-blood-splattering delivery despite many feats being suspended five meters and more above the ground. It is everything you can imagine about circus and more – hoops, balance, dance, ropes, trapeze, juggling, poles, acrobatics, mime to free fall. Jesser has set out and achieved his claim that the show is all about the  “…instinctive moment when it all has to converge and manifest as theatrical action”. If ‘Leap of Faith’ does not leave you walking out gobsmacked which a contagious spring in your step, I don’t know what else would.

The bottom line - Elite Elegance; Exceeds Expectations.

‘Leap of Faith: Circus in Motion’
April 4^th – 13^th 2013
NICA National Circus Centre
41 Green St, Prahran

Bold, Effective, Story-Telling through Contemporary Circus

Lucy and the Lost Boy is an innovative collaboration between staff and graduating students of the only accredited Bachelor of Circus Arts in Australia. The program is delivered by not for profit organization National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) under the artistic guidance of award winning theatre and circus director Sally Richardson. Drawing from the inspiration of Melbourne’s iconic street art and culture, the two-hour adventure reflects and embodies the journey of urban artists’ cry for creative outlets. It is seen through the eyes of young protagonist Lucy who is at the cross roads of either following her parents stable stereotypical career wishes or the enticing freedom found through Flying Boy and Ladybird. It is with much audience anticipation and no accident she chooses the latter. 

Photo by David Wyatt

From start to end I found myself gradually drawn into the magical world of circus – characters defying gravity through stunning body-bending acrobatics, powerful graffiti influenced dance segments alongside pumping rhythms all complemented with symbolic light projected backdrops. As I walked into the venue, towards my left were brightly lit areas filled with practice equipment, like a highly specialized gym for the performers. Towards the right, were the double doors that opened into darkness, as the circus clowns with the persona of construction men, encouraged us to our seats with witty comments. Upon first inspection, it was clear the stage was ready for seriously skilled performers ready to showcase their talent. 

Photo by David Wyatt

Amongst the seriousness of Lucy discovering freedom and joining in acts with rebels of the Bohemian air under Flying Boy’s wing, the three construction worker clowns provide appropriate comic relief as they comment on society’s perception of high art a.k.a. ballet as they perform their equally captivating mockery of the art form with wheelie bins for partners. It was just one of the many examples where Sally Richardson’s clever direction is displayed and delivered. She is no stranger to captivating audiences from her humble beginnings in writing to theatre, puppetry, film, producing and directing with works presented on the international scale. Some of Sally’s successes include H20 (Helpmann Finalist Best Visual/Physical Production, Best Presentation for Children 2004) and Alice (Perth, Melbourne and Sao Paulo International Arts Festivals).

Lucy and the Lost Boy is not to be missed, It is of great entertaining value for all to enjoy, providing a fun family friendly escape into the dream we all had when we were young, if only I ran away to join the circus. 

Image by David Wyatt

Event details : http://www.nica.com.au/event-tickets.php?cPath=39