Review: New Beginnings
New Beginnings creator-performers (L to R): Riley Shearer, Aurora Bennett-Godde, Lucy Hunterland, Luke Whitefield, Sam Giles, Indra Garvey, and Jordan Eriksen. Not pictured: Amy Stuart and Alex Weckes Huck (trainers), Josh McIntosh (rainbow and sparkle costume designs), Geoff Squires (lighting design), Kelsey Booth (stage management). Picture credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Many December graduation celebrations centre on a parade of recipients, who each receive the warm congratulations of family and friends. At Flipside Circus, the celebration takes the form of a 55-minute show, and well-deserved standing ovations (as Queensland’s largest youth arts organisation, students graduate from Flipside Circus once they reach the end of year 12). In 2023, audiences enjoyed a wonderful graduation show by seven talented members of the Flipside Circus Performance Troupe. The talented Creator/Performers each crafted one of the ‘movements’ of this program—demonstrating their favourite circus skills when working individually or in conjunction with their fellow performers (Creator/Performers Aurora Bennett-Godde, Jordan Eriksen, Indra Garvey, Samantha Giles, Lucy Hunterland, Riley Shearer, and Luke Whitefield). Which meant that the audience were wowed, moved, and completely entertained by the work of these talented artists (working in conjunction with their trainers, Amy Stuart and Alex Weckes Huck).
My favourite moments may end up being a comprehensive set list. Not surprising really; as captured in these Creative Futures images, there were so very many high points to choose from.
Picture: New Beginnings teeterboard (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture: Jordan Eriksen (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture: Lucy Hunterland, Aurora Bennett-Godde and Indra Garvey—with Luke Whitefield on hand (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Luke Whitfield’s signature tumbling, and leaps drew whoops of delight from the audience. Aurora Bennett-Godde and Lucy Hunterland demonstrated great skill and trust and moved that included a wonderful flip (strength from Lucy, and a stylish tumble by Aurora), and the audience also gasped as Luke rose on the back of the slowly standing Lucy. And that was just the first number.
Indra Garvey’s tightrope work was a joy to watch—beautifully choreographed, and incredibly skilful work on a narrow rope. And I was charmed by the placing of Indra’s fellow performers, supportively watching every move and turn. Aurora’s balletic tumbling number included excellent strength when creating different two-high ‘towers’ with Luke. A metaphor for the importance of being able to take on different roles (in support, or when at the top of the tower), and of being able to fall gracefully and then get straight back up again?! And the pre-interval trapeze work was a stunning demonstration of strength, trust, and style by Lucy and Indra. Great moves, excellent transitions, and incredible skill on display.
The second half of the show took the spirit and skills up a notch, with the high-energy teeterboard work (set to Hello) featuring airborne moves where Luke appeared to reach new heights—both in jumps with Indra and when solo. And there was a moment where Sam Giles seemed almost motionless in the air. Which meant that it was a great choice to shift the mood with the transition to the second half trapeze piece. Sam’s trapeze was a moving and fluid response to Au Revoir Simone’s Shadows: a great choice of music, and excellent choreography and skill. Riley Shearer made the walk up on and across the rest of the crew look effortless, with another great soundtrack choice (for this ‘movement’, to the sounds of You Make My Dreams). I loved Jordan Eriksen’s controlled chair balance and stacking acrobatic work—although the pose on the chair (see picture) was a definite ‘how on earth do they do that’ moment, and the dismount into the arms of fellow performers was a moment of trust and sheer joy. Jordan’s piece was a moving response to Novo Amor’s Anchor, and an excellent demonstration of the skills learned over many Flipside years.
New Beginnings concluded with amazing work by the whole cast—including two-high work (at one point three synchronised two-high ‘towers’), with performers flying and jumping before building to create a ‘three-high’ tower. Lucy continued to do an incredible job anchoring so many great pieces of strength and lifts—including holding a fabulous balance with Aurora and Indra. All of these moves appeared almost effortless demonstrations of skills—each carefully practised over many years, with the patient support of the Flipside trainers and of family and friends.
New Beginnings also included some references to previous Flipside Circus shows, which was a lovely reminder of the many highlights across their time as Flipside performers. Hopefully many will return as associate artists, trainers, and supporters of Flipside in years to come. But if they decide that their future is not in the profession, they also demonstrated that Flipside Circus is a place to build lifelong friendships, and to have fun. New Beginnings was so much more than a catalogue of skills and polished performance, as it also included moments of great personality and humour—from pulling faces behind the back of the ‘teacher’ through to playful dance moves (Luke and Indra Garvey image) that functioned as transitions between the main movements of the show.
The show ended to the sound of U2’s I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For. The seven Flipside Circus creators and performers may be looking forward to their next chapters. But New Beginnings is the apt title for a show celebrating a rainbow of talent, style, and professionalism; and is a marvellous way in which to mark the 2023 graduation of seven members of the Flipside Circus Performance Troupe. Each of these talented artists is now embarking on a new chapter in their lives. As they so impressively demonstrated in this December show, their Flipside Circus skills, friendships, poise, and professionalism will stand them in good stead—whatever they each decide to do next.
Pictured: New Beginnings creator-performers (Riley Shearer, Aurora Bennett-Godde, Lucy Hunterland, Luke Whitefield, Sam Giles, Indra Garvey, and Jordan Eriksen) were joined by Amy Stuart and Alex Weckes Huck (trainers) at the post-show graduation celebration. Picture credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Audience information: New Beginnings, Brisbane Circus Centre, Hamilton, Brisbane (7-10 December, 2023). 55 minutes, including a short interval. All ages. Tickets $75-39 (plus booking fee). The final 7pm show included a dinner option (10 December 2023).
I was privileged to watch the final two performances of their New Beginnings show, which provided a great opportunity to admire their skills and maturity as performers… and to reflect on the wonderful Flipside impact on their lives (the reviewer attended the 3pm and 7pm performances, 10 December 2023).