Whether they’re juggling plungers, doing dodgy magic or piling seven people onto one bicycle, Cranked Up is full of energy and at all times fun. While the first round of acrobatics are at times sketchy, we can pass this off as opening night nerves and let it remind us of of the difficulty of some of the moves being performed. The acrobats are redeemed in the teeterboard finale – a wonderful demonstration of skill, poise and teamwork.
While most of last year’s cast has remained, the new performers are a welcome addition. Cowboy MC Mark Sheppard is the new voice of indigenous acceptance, and attributes the show’s ‘construction’ theme as symbolic of Australia’s progression in cultural integration. Hazel Bock does a bizarre foot-juggling routine, and Kai Johnson-Peady plays the high-kicking son of returning character Fantaysia, owner of ’80s-inspired empire Fantaysia Fitness.
Bec Matthews’ exhilarating and somewhat eerie drum solo returns, in which she plays in a pendulum-like structure, swinging across the stage while others jump and flip around her. Mason West’s perfomance is a highlight – his swaying pole routine had audience members in the front row squealing as if they were on a rollercoaster. His efforts as an all-rounder on the rola-bola, acrobatics and comic presence make him a great asset.
While some of the lines are cheesy and there’s room for development in the overall unity and cohesion in the show’s structure, Cranked Up is a safe bet if you’re after (mostly) good, clean, family fun. A great demonstration of talent across all areas of circus provides an unpretentious evening of cultural awareness and backflips galore.
