By Jennifer Beasley.
Twenty-one incredible performers showcase their outstanding talents, redefining what ‘Circus’ traditionally means.
Firstly, I’d like to congratulate the creative talents of co-creators Sage Bechtler Cushman and Hugo Oliverira for this amazing production which redefines circus in a creative and clever way.
A production put together with the thrumming sounds by Ian Moorhead and great lighting by Lisa Mibus, with an interchangeable set which elevated this production with moveable ‘boxes’ by Barrie Michael Baxter, the mix produces the perfect foil to showcase twenty-one third year students from the fabulous National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA).
If you are like me, and have never been to this wonderland, then don’t hesitate to go see this performance. The stage is incredible, with the space designed to allow for vertical performances, brilliant lighting and a rocking sound from my favourite sound artist, Moorhead, you will be impressed by the polished skills of this ensemble.
With twenty-one performers, it does tend to get a bit ‘busy’. Cushman and Oliverira manage to control most of the energy, although it can feel overwhelming at times, however, I understand that this is also a showcase, and that is the nature of these things, and my ADHD brain just had to settle down and focus on the skills on show.
Taking their theme from Proteus, the son of the God Neptune, this performance delves into the fluid nature of transformations and transitions. And boy do they deliver! Fast and clever interchanges merge and present one scene to the next.
Each scene is like a mini story, which develops from the opening scene of a performer laden down with worldly goods, before all the cast bowl onto the stage in various costumes from businesspeople, free flowing dance, jumpsuits and normal clothes. Colours mainly ranged from brown, red, pink, orange and grunge brown. If anything, I found the costumes almost too diverse, but a nod to the creative input of Miriam Robinson, whose choice for the group acrobatics of ‘aviation’ jumpsuits on the Chinese Poles, the Hula Hoop segment and the three women’s flowing clothing while they spun and danced on the rings was outstanding.
So good are the performances that it’s difficult to find the best- when it’s obvious that all the performers are the embodiment of what NICA stands for. Alanah Lewis, Alex Burris, Bethany White, Bridie Callahan, Christina Godwin, Dakoda Barr, Georgia Pozorski, Hannah Dickers, Holly Jobson, Imogen Drury, Immy Turecek, Jam Travers, Lachlan MacDonald, Naz Turner, Paige Dorrity, Sammy George, Saskia Gallasch, Shianne Crampton, Talia Sofizade, Taliesha Hall-Huynh and Zephyr Patterson (coolness personified) are all incredible.
With such a large cast there are some stand out features in a performance that utilises double Chinese Poles, hula hoops, aerial rope, teeterboard, roue cyr (a large mono wheel), trapeze ropes and other circus tools.
The standout mini stories for me are the hula hoops, as Molly Jobson (I think this was her) channelled Kim Kardashian as a celebrity fawned by six white clothed acolytes as she spun and posed, flashes of the ‘camera’ going off as arms, legs, neck spun the hula hoops. Super confident performer and a brilliant piece of performance as the energy crackled here. It just shows you that you don’t always need over the top tricks to pull off captivating theatre.
In-between each scene the graceful Georgia Pozorski captivates. Girl, you have charisma in spades. As does the girl in the red dress, captivating the audience with beautiful dance skills.
My other favourites are the three women on the trapeze bars, great choreography here, as well as the ring work where the three female performers delved into their sexuality to embody feminine power and a touch of erotism. Neither sleazy nor overdone it was a true celebration of female sexuality.
As well, the comedic turn by the business suited female performer was hilarious. Using her voice to complain about Barry and Paul as she was so busy, busy, busy, was brilliant. Very funny and extremely well done. Very difficult to talk and spin hula hoops while being carried around on a table. Excellent.
I also enjoyed the innocence and freedom of Bethany White on the roue cyr. Lovely, sweet and a gentle pause amongst the many dynamic acts.
Speaking of which, the Chinese Poles enables all the performers to don grungy aviation suits to climb, flip, fall headfirst (OMG) and do other amazing things that I’ve never seen before. Kudos to Zephys Patterson here whose individuality stood out, as he languidly held on, mid-air, stretched out, as if he was waiting in line on the ground. Remarkable talent.
The teeterboard allows everyone to do tricks, as the boys really owned this. Sammy George a great team member supporting and leveraging off Jam Travers and Lachlan MacDonald as they defined gravity. A super cool Naz Turner watches on, as he sits smoking upside down (!) on top of one of the pods.
The event finishes as glitter flies around the performers on the teeterboard, a starlight effect that catapults the scene into the stars.
I also can’t leave this review without congratulating the teachers of these students. From the acting, dance, movement studies to the circus skills you are all amazing.
Remarkable and a full house. Even the babies in the audience were captivated! Very highly recommended.
Proteus plays at NICA (Green St Prahran) at 7:30 PM until 28th June 2025.
Images: Cameron Grant
