Circus’Cision

Circus’Cision
Head First Acrobats. Adelaide Fringe Festival 2019. The Octagon at Gluttony. Feb 22 to March 16, 2019

Who doesn’t love a good circus? Circus’Cision provides that and more. But why call it Circus’Cision? You will have to be there for the compere’s answer; let’s just say they are at the ‘cutting edge’ of circus.

Circuses can easily be just a collection of acts without an excellent compere and ‘Head First’ acrobats are extremely fortunate to have Cal Harris to lead us through the night brilliantly. Not only is he an excellent performer in his own right, he seems to have a line for everything no matter what the situation.

Circus’Cision is a circus of surprises, from the sombre black cloaked entrance of the performers reminiscent of the Da Vinci Code to the brightly flashing lights and loud music that keep the audience guessing.

There are some specular performances. Josie Angel’s hoop work contains tricks and moves I have never seen in this style of act.

Mr Fish works the audience to the max with his patter while ascending a 10-foot unicycle and attempting to toss a fish from his foot to a fishbowl in his helmet. He is clearly an audience favourite, using 3 ‘volunteers’ from the audience to help him with his unicycle.

An acrobatic tribute to Game of Thrones (including an acrobat in drag) provides a display of acrobatic skill with comic overtones.

Chinese spinning tops or diablos take on a whole new set of sexual meanings which provide a stark contrast to the artistic aerial hoop work that follows.

Undoubtedly the highlight of the night is a salute to ballet that has 3 male performers naked except for strategically placed hats which kept going astray. Three hats went down to two, then to one then to none. How do the boys cope? You will have to see the show to find out.

Finally, some of the best aerial strap work I have ever seen, including the heart stopping death drop.

Circus’Cision is a late-night bawdy show, well worth the wait for those that like quality circus with just the right amount of sexual tension!

Barry Hill

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