Circus Oz have returned to Melbourne for a second season of their hit show, But Wait… There’s More: an imaginative mish-mash of acrobatics, cabaret and physical comedy.
Heralded as an iconic company, Circus Oz delivered exquisite wall-to-wall action. Lilikoi Kaos put an extreme spin on hula-hooping, while Kyle Rafferty and April Dawson teamed up and managed a seemingly impossible combination of holds atop a unicycle. Of course, in a show like this, escalation plays a huge part: just when you think the performers have hit their limit, they take things just that little bit further, leaving you awestruck.
Derek Llewellin in particular made a habit of raising the bar, staking his claim as MVP – first with his astonishing big wheel routine, then with a few lofty trapeze feats, displaying incredible strength and poise. Of course, with Circus Oz boasting such a diverse, multi-talented troupe, it’s tough to pick a single favourite. They’re all athletic and gifted in their own fields.
The genre-hopping house band are certainly the unsung heroes of this production, though. Virtually flawless from start to finish, they effectively set the mood of each piece, augmenting the action. While their influence was far more subtle than any visual spectacle, it was absolutely in effect and crucial to the entire production. They proved an unlikely highlight.
While handled well in most places, the satirical exploration of on modern-day consumerism and ‘infobesity’ felt clunky from time to time. The troupe seemed to lead the audience by the hand in certain segments, explaining their commentary rather than showing it. Given that it’s family entertainment, designed to appeal to a variety of ages, that can be forgiven. Ultimately, though, actions proved louder (and more gratifying) than words overall. When the microphone was set aside and the performers were left to simply strut their stuff, the best bits of the show ensued.
Opening night of the return season concluded with many special thanks and generally felt like a big love-in, director Mike Finch celebrating the “artistic ecosystem” of Australia. Circus Oz had already earned rapturous adulation for their efforts, though the audience – much like the performers themselves – took it to another level, the evening ending on a high note.
BY NICK MASON
