It’s billed as adults only show, but that has more to do with liquor laws than the performance content. There are certainly risqué moments, but don’t be put off by the possibility of spotting a penis. You cannot always believe what you see.
Infamous is the brainchild of Joseph Ashton, a sixth generation Ashton, and patriarch of the famous Ashton circus family which has been presenting circuses around Australia for 180 years.
Following the trend towards circuses no longer featuring animals, and the growing appetite for virtuosic physical theatre usually presented in intimate spiegeltents, Joe decided to embrace the trend and create his own spiegeltent-style show.
But there was a problem. Joe Ashton has a particular affection for large apparatus circus acts particularly the flying trapeze and the ominously named Wheel of Death. Joe is master of both, and these acts would never fit into even the largest spiegeltent.
Therefore, Joe decided to design his own tent and replace his animals with glamorous dancers to support his world-class acrobats and aerialists, and create a new format aimed at an adult audience and Infamous was born.
The Infamous tent itself is part of the experience. Embracing the latest in circus tent design technology, the Infamous tent is fully air-conditioned, with a foyer featuring a fully licenced bar serving wine and spirits (hence the “adult” label.
Another bar offers non-alcoholic beverages as well as hot and cold snacks, and for those wishing to satisfy their inner urge to run away with the circus, there’s a well-stocked merchandise stall offering everything necessary.
Comfortable tables and stools allow patrons to chill out with friends and soak up the atmosphere before moving into the main performance area.
Once inside, neon-outlined arches replace the familiar spiegeltent mirrors to create an intimate atmosphere for the rows of comfortable chairs arranged around raked flooring which provides excellent views of the central performance area. Patrons seeking an even more deluxe experience can book individual tables and chairs ringside.
From the moment guests enter the main auditorium, clowns, glamorously costumed dancers, sensational Marilyn Monroe look-alike, Dancey Rae, and vocalist Tomi Gray, vie for their attention until showtime, which begins with a parade by the performers to introduce the Wheel of Death.
This terrifying apparatus is manipulated by Kyle Wishart, while Jansen Grant performs a series of heart-stopping manoeuvres both inside and out of the apparatus.
Then follows a succession of outstanding circus acts sourced from around the world, among which a duo performed an extraordinary aerial bungee act, then later a sensuous slow-motion adagio in a bathtub.
Generations of the Ashton family are well-represented in all aspects of this family-run circus including aerialist star Dante Ashton, who dazzles with her solo aerial act, is joined by Mimi Lenoire for a duo-trapeze routine, and for the finale, by her mother Bekki Ashton, and her aunt, Michelle Ashton-Jarman, for their high-flying trapeze act.
Between the various circus acts, clowns and troupes of trim, taut and terrific dancers, both male and female, keep the audience entertained with provocatively choregraphed routines.
As is circus tradition, following the high-flying grand finale, the whole cast parade again to acknowledge the enthusiastic applause, leading to another tradition that is new and unique to Infamous – an invitation for audience members to meet and be photographed with the cast of the show at the end of the performance.
Infamous The Show
Corner Kate Crace Street and Flemington Road, Gungahlin (ACT)
Performance: Sunday 13 April 2025
Season continues to 3 May 2025
Information and Bookings: www.infamous.net.au
Images: Cast Members of Infamous The Show (supplied) | Jansen Grant on the Wheel of Death (supplied)
Review: Bill Stephens OAM