Review: A Journey to Euphoria

**Picture**: The *A Journey to Euphoria* cast (*credit: Creative Futures Photography*)

Euphoria can be defined as intense feelings of excitement, well-being, and happiness—where activities such as exercise, laughter, or dancing can induce a state of euphoria. Which means that a great show can certainly help arts reviewers as they follow their own journeys toward euphoria.

It is difficult to believe that A Journey to Euphoria is the first show to be created by Euphoric Flow. The one-hour Anywhere Festival Brisbane 2024 event was a well-conceived, professionally executed show—and a compelling demonstration of circus skills by three talented performers.

The best circus and cabaret shows are those which have a clear structure or story. A Journey to Euphoria is based on Yogistic principles, as a guided meditation about nature's five basic elements with the aim of finding balance and harmony in the body. The soundtrack was well-chosen, as the audio provided a clear introduction to each of the elements of Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space (or Ether), acting as ‘chapter headings’ for the different parts of the show. And the circus performers ensured that audience members really were ‘present’—enabling us to focus on mesmerising moments of balance, aerial, dance, acro, flow arts, and fire dance/twirling.

Rachel Riggall, was the star of this show, with memorable hula (including using a fire hoop), aerial (both solo silks, and in a great aerial hoop partnership with Tammy), fire twirling/fire dance (I loved the glowsticks and fire palms dance), and flow (with the creative use of silk veil fans and capes). Equally, Kinga has a great stage presence—demonstrating fabulous fire twirling (including that fiery head balance), water flow (with silk veil fans and capes), and acro balance. And Tammy’s ground and aerial work was powerful and on-point—with the creative aerial balance duet with Rachael, and a beautiful individual, flowing piece on aerial hoop.

My favourite moments had to be the dancing using the fire palms and fans, the hoop solos and duet, and the silks work. And, also, watching the support team working on photography, videography, lighting, rigging, fire management, and general tech (hats off to Mikey Hearson!). I also loved the opportunity to visit a special events space. The Euphoric Flow team selected a great venue for this show. I cannot count the number of times I have passed this 1897 yellow building and not realised it is an events venue. Enchanted Enterprises calls the Windsor House ‘home’, offering an enchanting space that is suited to small weddings, intimate parties, and evening meditations.

Apologies; I only saw the final 2024 Anywhere Festival Brisbane performance of A Journey to Euphoria, which means that I can’t do much more than recommend you follow Euphoric Flow and look out for them at future festivals and events. I have a feeling you won’t be disappointed.

Catherine Lawrence

**Picture**: Rachel Riggall, *A Journey to Euphoria* (*credit: Creative Futures Photography*)

Audience information: The 2024 Anywhere Festival Brisbane program included only three performances of A Journey to Euphoria (19-21 July 2024, all 7pm) at Enchanted Enterprises, 312 Lutwyche Road, Windsor. All ages. Plenty of parking in adjacent side streets. Outside, so dress warmly. 50-60 minutes.

The reviewer attended the 21 July 2024 7pm performance.

Geoff Lawrence