Review: The Show Must Go On
The Show Must Go On is a really well-paced show by Flipside Circus’ emerging ‘step-ups’ team, with moments of high-energy, humour, pathos and pzazz.
The last eighteen months have proved…well… challenging, to say the least. So it’s great to see the enthusiasm creativity and pzazz of the Flipside Circus ‘step-ups’… and to share their determination that The Show Must Go On.
Construction of Flipside Circus’s new home, the Brisbane Circus Centre, is now underway, which meant that this new show took place in the Flipside Circus pop-up training space. Much-needed additional funds were raised at the three weekend performances of The Show Must Go On. Ably compered by Rebel Lyons, the 50-minute production comprised 11 short pieces. Each segment was co-created by the performers, enabling the 8-17 year-old artists to showcase their comic, acrobatic, aerial, tumbling, juggling, and dancing skills.
The show was really well-paced, with moments of high-energy, humour, pathos and pzazz. And that was just in the first ten minutes, where the pre-show humour of the ‘sheep’ soon gave way to the high-energy full-cast Table for Twelve, and then Jordan’s moving solo performance of Heartbreak.
Picture: The Show Must Go On (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture: The Show Must Go On (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Rebel Lyons (Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: The Show Must Go On (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
This was a great way to spend an hour by the Brisbane River. Difficult to pick out some special moments but my personal highlights were:
Table for Twelve: A high-speed opening display of excellent tumbling, flexibility, strength, and acrobatics (reassuringly, no kitchen tables appeared to have been harmed in the making of this number!);
Aerial Vay-cay: With a slight nod toward the Flipside SPF show, this was a fabulous evocation of beachside relaxation and fun—including a wonderful display of strength, trapeze, and silks (with some amazing splits on silks);
The Two Jugglers: The second half juggling number was skilful and fun, and it was great to see the relaxed exchanges and transitions; and
Squad Goals: The theme may have been ‘bonkers’, but the cast demonstrated skill, control and trust in their tumbling, strength and lifts.
This was a very professional performance by the enthusiastic step-ups. ‘Only’ another $200,000 to raise. All donations welcome, as these talented performers deserve what will be a fabulous new Brisbane Circus Centre home.
Verdict: An enjoyable, high-energy, show by Flipside Circus’s step-up stars.
Picture: The Show Must Go On (picture credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Audience tip: The Show Must Go On had its July 2021 world premiere with three weekend performances (24 July 2:30pm & 6:30pm, and 25 July 4:30pm only). 65 minutes (including 15 minute interval). All ages. Tickets were $15 (adults), Family $40, child $10 (free if under 5). The Flipside Circus pop-up training space is a ten minute walk from the Bretts Wharf Ferry Terminal, and there is plenty of free off-street parking available at 33 MacArthur Ave, Hamilton QLD 4007.
The reviewer attended the world premiere performance (2:30pm, Saturday 24 July, 2021).