The National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) will present the second-year student ensemble show, Behind the Veil, at NICA’s National Circus Centre in Prahran from 15 – 19 September 2026.
Welcome to a world where perfection is manufactured, productivity is worshipped, individuality has become a dangerous defect, and every smile has been carefully rehearsed. Behind the Veil questions the hierarchies and structures within society through the world of a kooky circus ensemble, where breathtaking physical feats collide with dark satire.
Every movement is synchronised, everybody is optimised, and every mistake is unacceptable. As the mechanisms of this perfectly engineered existence begin to fail, performers reclaim something far more dangerous than perfection: choice and freedom.
Behind the Veil is directed by Kate Fryer, a respected performer, director, teacher and writer of circus and physical theatre, with nearly 30 years of experience. The Artistic Director of Dislocate and Circus Director for the State Schools Spectacular, Fryer has also directed works for Circus Oz, The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, The Women’s Circus, The Sydney and London Olympics, and the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, as well as individual circus acts and curated cabarets and parades across the globe.
This collaboration between Fryer and NICA’s versatile second-year ensemble, is shaping up to be a highly anticipated breakthrough performance for the cohort, who will be showcasing their talents on Chinese pole, swinging trapeze, flying silks, Cyr wheel, handstands, contortion, acrobatics, and more.
The Behind the Veil Ensemble includes: Shayla Ashton, Kelsea Blackburn, Eliza Denlay, Tarnee Doye, Lara Elliot, Kiera Fitzgerald, Laiken Jackson, Jaran Latona-Phasuk, Holly Muir, Capri Palmer, Elise Poulton, Daniel Scrofani, Imogen Smith, Nina Smitth and James Wilson.
Exciting, talented, and quirky: this ensemble is crafting an absurd, yet familiar world to question humanities eccentricities – spectacularly embodied through circus.
The Creative Team includes: Costume Design by Reuben James (Velvet Inferno, directed by Craig Ilott, 2026) with wardrobe assistance from Melbourne Polytechnic Costume Design students; Lighting Design by Eduard Inglés (Homer Prepares to Sing the Odyssey, Redfinch, 2026); and Sound Design by Christopher Lewis (Here There & Everywhere, Circus Oz, 2026).
“If Metropolis, Brazil, and The Stepford Wives had a circus baby… this would be it.” says Fryer.
Behind the Veil
National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA), 39 – 59 Green Street, Prahran
Season: 16 – 19 September 2026 (preview: 15 September)
Information and Bookings: www.nica.com.au
Image: Shayla Ashton, Elise Poulton and Tarnee Doye can be seen in NICA’s Behind The Veil – photo by Rob Blackburn