The four Seasons of Circus

I’ve learned a couple of things in the last week; 1) Perth has it’s own Circus School- who knew? (quite a lot of people as it turns out, trust me to be late to the party), 2) They were putting on their first ever full stage show, Seasons, last weekend and 3)They are pretty AWESOME!

Adventure Circus are an aerial acrobatics, gymnastics and circus inspired fitness club here in Perth offering amazing classes for both adults and children who want to learn the basic skills, strength and fitness to master some rather daring talents.

As we headed along to see the show at Perth College’s Goodlyburn Theatre on Saturday night you’d be forgiven for thinking my lovely friend and I were attending a fireworks display; our faces a picture of glee and with an excited spring in our step about what was to come (trying my best not to sound too ‘mums on the loose’ here but I appreciate my nights out so much more now!).

We oooed, ahhhed, gasped and wowed our way through the evening’s entertainment. Both the matinee and evening performance were completely sold out- a sign that not only do this lot know what they’re doing, they’ve made an impression on the local community already. Adventure Circus operate as a social enterprise and introduced a ‘pay it forward scheme’ for Seasons, whereby people were encouraged to purchase an extra ticket, which was matched by Adventure Circus, and the beneficiaries were PKAVS Young Carers and individuals counselled by Mindspace Perth.

‘Seasons’ was a chance for the students of Adventure Circus to showcase their awe-inspiring and brave circus talents, and I’d say everyone did themselves proud! Using unique choreography, carefully crafted costumes and inspirational music the performers interpreted the ever changing seasons as they swung, dangled, looped, twirled and tumbled from the apparatus right in front of our eyes. The technical support and equipment meant that all this was achieved against the clever use of sound and light to complement the performance.

There was always something happening to draw your eye- up high, down low or indeed peeking from behind my hands as I watched them conduct themselves with such grace in what were at times incredibly brave and daring moves. There was also an amazing LED hula-hoop performance which I (and the entire audience!) could not take my eyes off, and a super unicycle and juggling dance.  This was the first time I had witnessed performance on apparatus like the aerial hoop, trapeze or silks up close and it was mesmerising!

We were definitely captivated by the skills and strength on display, and it was clear how much time had gone into planning and rehearsing the show.  They made it look so effortless yet we knew how difficult it must be in reality to even shimmy up a rope let alone balance there from one foot, upside down!  I for one never could master the gym rope at school nor the monkey bars but Seasons was so magical and gutsy that it made we want to try and reach for the trapeze! 

Our spectacular display of aerial delights for all the senses was topped off perfectly with the addition of a candy floss to complete the circus affair! Congratulations to everyone who took part- you demonstrated an energy and gracefulness to which I’ll aspire- and I’ll definitely be asking Santa for one of those Hula hoops!

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Adventure Circus run a variety of circus skills classes for all ages and abilities in Perth. For more information see our directory>>