Review: The Cubby, Brisbane Circus Centre
Picture (L to R): Rindi Harradine, Sam Giles, and Luke Whitefield playing in The Cubby (Image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
How do you answer the ‘what are we doing this weekend’ question? My tip is to see if tickets are still available for any (or all?!) of the remaining weekend shows of The Cubby. I can promise it will give everyone in the family a chance to sit down and enjoy an entertaining show that will prompt lots of post-event questions, conversations, and perhaps even playful attempts at building a cubby or trying to juggle.
Developed in conjunction with young people in regional and remote areas across Queensland,* The Cubby is a show that delights adults, keeps the attention of the ‘wriggliest’ of young kids, and will even make many teenagers smile. The show has only three more performances in this very short Brisbane Circus Centre run. It’s a funny, fast, and fabulous demonstration of the balancing, tumbling, strength, juggling, and aerial skills of the three performers, Sam Giles, Rindi Harradine and Luke Whitefield.
This is more of a reflection than a full review, as I last saw The Cubby in the grounds of the Hamilton State School. Since then the production has been touring on a regular basis, visiting school yards and bringing circus skills and joy to communities far and wide. To have the show back in Brisbane, and onstage at Flipside Circus’ home base of the Brisbane Circus Centre is an opportunity not to be missed.
Shows will vary slightly, depending on the audience, venue, and members of the touring cast. My 2024 review does share thoughts about the story, staging and skills, but seeing The Cubby two years later is different. Without the distractions of the playground, seeing the show on stage, with the enhanced set and sound systems and lighting, I enjoyed the fast-paced intensity of the show, the raked seating, and clear sightlines. However, so much is what I remember from the first performance. Expect to be reminded of the joy of play and imagination, as the different ways in which cubby houses become swimming pools, secret hideaways, homes for superheroes, and places for snacks and escape. And be amazed at the circus skills and story-telling abilities of the three talented performers.
Image Credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Picture: Walking the tins (Image credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Impressive strength and balance Image credit: Creative Futures Photography.
Image credit: Creative Futures Photography.
My personal favourite moments are the ‘three-high’ tower strength, the aerials, the ‘trampoline’ jumps and tumbles, the wheelbarrow work, and the ‘high tin walking (a different spin on high-wire skills!). And my two ‘most memorable’ scenes were the ‘intruder alarm’ and ‘surfing’ pieces. But I am also sure that everyone in the audience had their favourite parts of The Cubby—and all agree with me that this was a fun way in which to spend their time.
The Friday morning show of this short run was met with lots of oohs and ahhs, calls of ‘wow’ and ‘amazing’, and lots of applause from the primary and high school students, and from their accompanying adults. After the first ten minutes or so, one of the Grade 2 students sitting behind me was heard to say, ‘I love this show;’ clearly a young reviewer who will go far! I am sure The Cubby will continue to inspire everyone who sees it: to seek out opportunities to take a few Flipside Circus lessons, or find other ways in which to experience the joy of being playful, active, and creative.
Audience information: Flipside Circus is based at the Brisbane Circus Centre, 221 MacArthur Ave, Hamilton. Flipside Circus runs a variety of classes, courses, and other programs, with free ‘discover circus’ trials. The Cubby has a short October run at the Brisbane Circus Centre (9-11 October). Tickets are $28-$32, plus $1.30 fee (Companion Card Holder’s tickets are free).
* Additional Credits: Robert Kronk (Director), Lara Croydon (Dramaturg) Bridget Boyle (Deviser), Josh McIntosh (Set & Costume Design), Guy Webster (Sound Design & Composition). The Cubby was created by Flipside Circus with Amy Stuart, Ambrose Kelso and Lucy Hunterland—and developed with regional and remote Queensland communities including Normanton, Mt Isa, Richmond, Hughenden, Winton, Blackall, Tambo, Charleville, Eromanga, and Thargomindah.