Calisthenics gets the arena treatment when this Adelaide company hits The Plenary in December.
The Australian Calisthenics Theatre Company presents Mother Nature at The Plenary on five December. The 90-minute production features 120 calisthenics athletes performing across two stages, accompanied by a 12-piece orchestra playing original compositions and reworked tracks from artists including Lady Gaga, Sam Smith, Coldplay and ACDC.
The Australian Calisthenics Theatre Company aims to transform competitive calisthenics into theatrical performance. The production showcases the predominantly female sport through choreography and visual effects across six acts exploring themes of beauty, artistry and creation. The cast includes professional performers, emerging talent and young athletes from around the country.
Mother Nature
- 5 December, The Plenary, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf
- 90-minute performance featuring 120 performers
- 12-piece orchestra performing throughout
- Tickets available via inTix
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Artistic director Brooke Brown has worked in calisthenics for more than 35 years, competing in seven state and national teams while running her own club. She founded the Australian Calisthenics Theatre Company to create commercial performance opportunities for calisthenics dancers beyond the competition circuit. The company is based in Adelaide and this marks their Melbourne debut following shows earlier this year.
Mother Nature represents the company’s second production as part of their annual program. The show combines traditional calisthenics techniques with contemporary staging, utilising The Plenary’s facilities to accommodate the large ensemble and dual-stage setup. The orchestra’s soundtrack blends original music with reinterpreted versions of commercial hits, plus selections from Frozen and Wicked.
Calisthenics originated as an Australian sport combining elements of ballet, jazz, contemporary dance and gymnastics. The discipline typically operates within a competition framework, with performances judged on technical execution and artistic presentation. The Australian Calisthenics Theatre Company shifts this format into theatrical territory, removing the competitive element while maintaining the physical demands and aesthetic qualities of the sport.
Brown’s work with the company focuses on expanding calisthenics visibility beyond its immediate community. The productions provide opportunities for trained calisthenics athletes to perform on commercial stages without competition pressure. The company operates across South Australia and nationally, working with theatres, musicians and production professionals to create large-scale performances.
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