Who doesn’t like a circus… the sights, the sounds, and the lingering smell of freshly cooked popcorn?
Circus in Australia has had a long and colourful history. Evolving over time, exotic animals are no longer featured, the emphasis now being on multi-skilled artists or troupes performing extraordinary feats.
For nearly 60 years, The Great Moscow Circus has been synonymous with the art form, touring across Australia, under the auspices of the Edgley Organisation.
Following an extensive tour, the Big Top has arrived in Melbourne for a limited season, under the banner, Great Moscow Circus Extreme, comprising a troupe of artists from Armenia, Ukraine, Brazil, Columbia, Greece, New Zealand and Australia.
Lead by Armenia Clown, Gagik Avetisyan, and Singer, Elly Rowbotham, many of the acts on offer are circus staples. With more than a nod to Charlie Chaplin, Gagik keeps the audience entertained with his mime and comedic antics and plenty of audience interaction.
Each act is highly polished and provides many jaw-dropping moments from Hewin Lyezkosky Bolivar on The Giant Wheel through to the Globe Riders, that included 10-year-old, Cruz Weber, in the Globe of Death.
Along the way, we are treated to Duo Acero, a pole acrobat duo who have been featured on America’s Got Talent (Season 18), the aerial feats of Tianni Weber on Silks and Tahlia Weber on Trapeze, and the Teeter Board trio featuring brothers, AJ Saltalamacchia & Zach Saltalamacchia, and Sam Waite.
The addition of two high intensity acts, Trampoline and BMX & Scooter, proved to be audience favourites and outstanding highlights of the night. The Ukrainian Flyers, Andrei Dudkin, Danil Kravchenko and Gosha Mykhailenko, excite with their leaps and jumps from a wall onto a trampoline.
Rarely seen in the confines of a Big Top, BMX & Scooter, featuring Nathan Freeman, Samual Grace, Kody Law and Rhys Rogers, excelled in heart-pumping tricks with the aid of 4 quarter-pipes.
Bundle up the kids, grab some popcorn, sit back and enjoy. Great Moscow Circus Extreme is definitely a fun-filled family night out!
The Great Moscow Circus Extreme
JL Murphy Reserve, Corner Graham Street and Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne
Season continues to 14 July 2024
Information and Bookings: www.greatmoscowcircus.com.au
Following the Port Melbourne season, The Great Moscow Circus Extreme will play Wangaratta (18 – 28 July) and Benalla (1 – 4 August).
Images: The Ukrainian Flyers – photo by Chowie Photography | Gagik Avetisyan – photo by Chowie Photography | BMX and Scooter – photo by Chowie Photography
Review: Rohan Shearn