Cirque Alice
There are not enough superlatives to describe Cirque Alice! On a night where the temperature outside the theatre was still nudging 40 degrees, the action on the stage was even hotter, and I don’t mean temperature-wise. I am an avid fan of circus skills and many of the acts contained feats I have never seen before, and without a net!
The producers of The Illusionists have managed to distil the fantasy and wonder of Lewis Carroll’s beloved novel, Alice in Wonderland and reimagine the curiosity, imagination, and the nature of reality that are central to the story sprinkled with Lewis’ bizarre logic.
Using classical and popular music plus dance to link the ‘acts’, the production takes Alice down the rabbit hole and meeting the characters who inhabit Wonderland; Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, the Caterpillar, the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, the Red Queen, the White King & Queen, the Dormouse, flamingos and more!
This production is seamless thanks to the creative direction of Ash Jacks McCready & Kirsty White, the clever choreography of Dane Bates, Martin Raabe-Olsen & Marius Christiansen’s musical arrangements, Angela Aaron’s unbelievably beautiful costume designs and amazing lighting effects, headed by Matt Osborne.
Cirque Alice revolves around Alice herself (Layla Schillert), who meets the White Rabbit (Darius Thompson) who disappears down the rabbit hole. She follows and emerges in Wonderland on a harness, flying sky high with the biggest dress imaginable, all the while singing opera classics. Schillert has a crystal-clear soprano voice that perfectly matches her character. Thompson is an amazingly talented violinist who capers around the stage while displaying his virtuosity.
On her journey, Alice encounters – Tweedle Dum & Tweedle Dee (The TT Boys - Tomas Teka Alemu & Tamrat Kuka), two acrobats who take their craft to new extremes flipping and turning effortlessly, bodies flying through the air and spinning rapidly.
The Mad Hatter (Paul Dabek), a standup comic, and magician whose comedy and illusions know no bounds. His patter is quick, his timing is faultless and his illusions are truly amazing. I was sitting four rows from the front and could not fathom how his illusions were accomplished. Dabek also is the MC of the evening and certainly knows how to read an audience!
The Caterpillar is made up of four contortionists (Enkhzaya Battogoo, Doljinsure Ganbold, Baigalmaa Chuluun & Dolgorsuren Ganbold), who can twist their bodies into impossible shapes emphasising the elegance of their costuming and flexibility. Their ‘tower’ at the end of their routine was magnificent.'
The March Hare (Viktor Hladchenko) takes the huge Cyr Wheel to new heights with a routine that sees him twirling around the stage at various heights and levels, all the while with a cheeky grin on his face.
The Snap Dragonfly (Daniel Schwarz) uses a flying pole to highlight his balance and strength. It an impressive routine and often performed high above the stage.
The Knights (The Ramandhani Brothers - Fadhili Rahidi & Ibrahim Mwaimise) are a crowd favourite with their head balancing act. Walking up and down stairs with someone balanced upside down on your head cannot be easy. The same can be said of walking up and down a ladder. The boys make it look easy, bringing the house down.
The Dormouse (Estuart Mena Gonzales) takes the Rola Bola to new heights! Using five tubes and a board, juggling, and skipping shows incredible skill, and at the height it was performed, highly dangerous. I must confess to holding my breath at times.
Wonderland’s juggler (Brandon Raffo) is the fastest I have seen. His club work was astonishing and his juggling of seven balls a fitting climax.
The Red Queen (Munguntsatsrag Naranbaataris) an impressive balance act on three stands that incorporates grace, skill, and beauty.
The Flamingos (Emeline Goavec & Yoann Benhamou) are the only trapeze aerial act, preceded by a pink flamingo ballet dancer en pointe. Their routine includes balance work, but also some drop and catch work that drew breath from many of the audience.
The final characters Alice encounters are the White King and Queen (Daniel Monni & Marina Sabetta). They are a roller-skating act with a difference! The Queen, whirling and spinning while only connected by a strap around her neck to the King is a superb climax to an exciting act.
As well as these performers there are five dancers who link the acts (Kaylee Smith, Lachlan Greenland, Charlee Danilczak, Lexi Calis & Gabriel Herrera). They become fairies, travellers, and characters from Wonderland. They blend seamlessly with the production and keep the pace flowing.
Judging by the audience reaction on opening night from young and older alike (including this reviewer), this production is going to have a very successful run. It has something for everyone.
Cirque Alice is circus on steroids!!! It contains some of the most amazing circus skills I have ever seen and is a must see for all ages!
Barry Hill OAM
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