Hot on the heels of its sell-out run in Brisbane and Melbourne, Cirque Bon Bon’s all-star cast of contortionists, acrobats and dancers is set to embark on an Australian tour later this month.
The brainchild of former Cirque Du Soleil Assistant Creative Director Ash Jacks (McCready) and Choreographer Julieann Nugent, Cirque Bon Bon was created from an opportunity to produce a show for the Noosa Alive Festival that arose during the pandemic in 2021. In fact, Nugent and Jacks refer to it as their “Covid Baby”.
Jacks, who had returned home from working in LA for the Cirque Du Soleil Entertainment Group and Nugent, who has worked extensively in the Entertainment Industry, had discussed working together for years. With Jacks’ return to Australia due to the pandemic, this seemed the perfect time to collaborate and create something positive, that would bring back joy to people’s lives during such a depressing time.
The timeframe from initial conception to the first performance was only a few months, so the pair had to work very hard and very fast. “There was a lot of stress but also a lot of laughter as we combined our talents to do everything from auditioning and scouting for talent, choreograph and create music, posters and advertising,” says co-creator Nugent. “We were fortunate in that we had such respect for what each of us could bring to the table and found it a joy to work together to produce a truly memorable show. There is so much to be proud of as we did it completely ourselves. Two passionate women.”
Cirque Bon Bon blends beauty with bravery into 70 minutes of electrifying action and as the name suggests, the show can be described as full of surprises and delights.
“It is a show that combines Circus, Dance and Comedy to create a completely entertaining and immersive experience, ” explains Nugent. “The circus artists are all world class and the dancers are company standard. Every moment of the show has been considered, even the transitions between act which are presented with quality and are artistically captivating. Our host, Mario, is incredible as he connects with the audience fills the theatre with laughter. In short, you could say we have embraced quality.”
Jacks, who has taken shows like this all over the world for the last 14 years, remembers the very first time she saw Circus when she was a young girl of 8.
“It was Cirque Du Soleil’s Saltimbanco in Australia. I remember feeling so inspired, captivated and completely in awe of the artists. To me, they looked super human. Defying gravity, pushing their bodies beyond limits the mind had to see to believe, incredible feats of strength, flexibility all whilst engaging the audience. It was magic, entertainment of the purest kind. The circus gave me hope, it inspired me to be better and do better and I was absolutely besotted with the world in which we could escape to when watching. I am obsessed with passing that feeling onto audiences, and that is what keeps the fire burning for me! To continue to create beautiful forever memories for audiences.”
Jacks is quick to acknowledge that the audience influences her every time they do a show. “When the show is going, I’m often not looking at the show, but rather, I’m looking at the audience faces,” she says. ” I love watching them react to the performance, whether it be laughing out loud to the comedy, or covering their mouth with their hand because they are in total shock of what they witnessed or clapping and smiling because within that moment that are completely present and entertained! Bringing joy and mind-blowing experiences to people is something I have always been passionate about, and that is what I dedicate my creative life to.”
Jacks and Nugent would love audiences to leave the show feeling light and happy. “At every production we take the time to observe the audience as they leave and receive such pleasure from the smiles, laughter and excited chatter as they process and compare what they have just experienced,” says Nugent.
Cirque Bon Bon is a burst of fun, energy, talent and entertainment that has the audience on the edge of their seat, holding their breathe or rolling in aisle.
Says Nugent, “I would encourage audiences to attend Cirque Bon Bon to witness the world class pool of talent on display within a show that flows seamlessly from start to finish. Cirque Bon Bon is not just a show but an immersive experience that you will be telling your friends about if any are unfortunate enough to miss it.”
Cirque Bon Bon 2024 Australian tour dates:
Darwin – Darwin Festival – 14-17 August
Canberra – Canberra Theatre Centre – 22-24 August
Brisbane – Brisbane Festival – 18-20 September
