Graduates of the National Institute for Circus Arts (NICA) have popped up in various notable companies. We can have a peek into the pipeline that produces these stars through shows such as Fall With Me, a showcase featuring, and devised by, the NICA 2nd-year ensemble.
These days, Circus acts can be more than brackets of impressive tricks. and Australian companies have played a role in this evolution by mounting shows that combine impressive skills with characters and snappy pacing. Fall With Me has many more bodies to arrange on stage, which seemed to pose some challenges.
The setup (assisted by Rachel Stone’s stage design) seemingly promised near-future sci-fi, and held dramatic potential. Maybe a spacecraft has crash-landed on a barren planet? Is this trauma why our players have similar-ish yet different costumes (designed by Ki Martin, produced with assistance from Melbourne Polytechnic Costume Design students), patched with irregular silver panels?
The surface has remnants of an alien civilisation’s bio-machines, like mysterious vessels formed of crustaceans, inviting scrutiny from our explorers. A character’s attempts to untangle the physics of their movement captured our attention.
Whilst there were some similarly compelling scenes in the work, others were unable to maintain the world building, which could be distracting. Some transitions lacked the creativity that supported the exotic feel of earlier scenes, such as when a hoop was pulled out from behind a tarpaulin backdrop.
The audience included family, friends and NICA alumni, who surely had assembled to appreciate the circus skills. That applause was quite sparse over much of the 90 minutes should suggest the value in making more room for such skills.
The work had no dialogue, and often resembled a work of physical theatre. At times clusters of performers were spread around the stage, causing us to shift our gaze regularly to take in the action. Before too long though, it became clear that some activity could draw our focus away from the most impressive skills on display.
Some of the appeal of circus lies in the remarkable speed, strength, or flexibility shown by the performers. There were flashes of these attributes. A routine where a performer (Holly Jobson) was suspended by their hair showed composure under duress, and there were some novel flourishes when partners worked in the same suspended hoop or Cyr wheel.
A standout sequence featured a pair of performers, each on their own ribbon, far above the stage. Female and male torsos slapped together and spun vigorously, arm muscles popping with the effort to maintain grip and position.
It was raw and real, and maybe a little risky, creating that particular form of excitement we find when high-quality skills are given centre stage. Through such moments the work showed enough to suggest that circus fans will have an interest in this ensemble’s further development.
Fall With Me
The National Institute of Circus Arts, 39 – 59 Green Street, Prahran
Performance: Wednesday 18 September 2024
Season continues to 21 September 2024
Information and Bookings: www.nica.com.au
Images: Shianne Crampton, Paige Dorrity and Christina Godwin in Fall With Me – photo by Cameron Grant | Holly Jobson and the NICA Ensemble in Fall With Me – photo by Cameron Grant
Review: Jason Whyte