Circus Monoxide’s senior troupe is tirelessly training for their next big show. Photos: Keeli Dyson.
A showcase of skills, spectacle and storytelling created by talented young Illawarra performers is set to stun audiences as art is brought to life in Circus Monoxide’s upcoming production.
Whether they flip along the floor or fly through the air, when the Circus Monoxide troupe takes to the stage, you’ll be stunned and inspired.
“I actually came to watch one of the troupe performances before I really knew much about it,” 20-year-old Liesel Price said.
“I had a family friend that was in it and I had done acting before and I saw the performance and thought, ‘Oh my god, I want to do that.’
More than a decade later, Liesel is helping lead the troupe in creating another impressive performance, called FRAMED.
“I imagine it to be a little bit like Night at the Museum but in an art gallery,” she said.
“When all the patrons leave the gallery at the end of the day all the art comes to life.”
For months the performers have been working on their characters, each based on famous artworks, and creating the bits and pieces that will create the final show.
Now it’s all finally coming together.
“It’s very collaborative,” Liesel said. “I came up with the idea for the show but everyone joins in with making the acts.
“They all come up with what skills they want to use in it, which we’ve all learned independently in different classes, and we collaborate on what they want to wear.
“Right now we’ve just finished making the show so we’re rehearsing it and just cleaning everything up, filling in a few holes here and there, trying on costumes and things like that so everyone is getting a bit more excited now that you can see more of what the show is actually going to be.”
While the stunts and tricks are eye-catching, the show is equally captivating through its storytelling, with shades of comedy and drama integrated through the acts.
“Obviously all these people are super talented and they can do crazy skills … but we really focus on bringing it together and how it looks as a cohesive show,” Liesel said.
“We always want our shows to be something we’re really proud of and something we can do again and again.”
This year’s troupe comprises 11 performers, from age 12 to 20.
“A few of us have been training for 10 years or so and some are a bit more new to the troupe as well,” Liesel said.
“It’s great. I feel like I’m in a position where I really get to mentor and help the younger kids or those who haven’t been in troupe for as long and try to help them come into themselves and feel more comfortable on stage.
“Even in the past few years, some of the girls, I’ve seen their confidence develop and it’s been great to see them come into themselves in their daily life as well as on stage.”
Charlotte Byrne’s introduction to circus was very similar to that of her more experienced troupe member.
“I remember I went to one of the shows,” the 12-year-old said. “I saw it and I was like, ‘Wow, I really want to do that.’
It’s her first year in the senior troupe and she’s absorbing as much as she can from the whole experience.
“It’s quite rewarding,” Charlotte said.
“It’s been a deep learning experience; I’ve learned quite lot and many more tricks.”
The circus school acts as a springboard for the next generation of circus talent, with the troupe often travelling and showcasing the performance in festivals and in part of shows across the country.
But Illawarra audiences can be the first to get a sneak peek as the show debuts on the Circus Monoxide Precarious Stage in Fairy Meadow.
“It’s quite nerve-racking but it’s also very exciting,” Charlotte said.
The show is set to provide a unique insight into our homegrown talent that could be destined for the world stage.
“Some people come in, especially because most of the performers are youth, they come in and they don’t expect it to be so good,” Liesel said.
“I think that we exceed expectations a lot.”
FRAMED will run on 20 September at 7 pm and 21 September at 6 pm with tickets now on sale.
