The circus comes to town: Fusing island storytelling with gravity-defying acrobatics
If you’re looking for an uplifting circus show that doubles as a cultural experience then look no further – the Fijian Flying Circus is in town.
Within the darkness of a large tent at South Bank Piazza, a story is brewing. It’s an adventure through a world parallel to our own – where forest spirits, giants and elemental forces live and breathe alongside the trees and animals.
The performers who inhabit this world flip and dive across the stage, stomping, clapping and dancing to the beating of drums. It is a world unlike any other, a world full of energy, spirit and mana.
Fijian Flying Circus, Fijian dance tribe VOU’s Australian premiere show, tells the story of young girl Loma as she travels through this world in search of her enchanted shoes, stolen by a mischievous forest spirit called a veli.
These shoes are kept in a crate that appears in each circus scene and maintains the audience’s engagement in the story. But keeping the audience engaged is not something this performance struggles with. Each act is high-energy and captivating, showcasing a broad range of traditional circus tricks, along with Fijian culture and folklore.
There are juggling and tightrope-walking acts, which are fun, without being a standout. These are presented within the context of the mythological world, where the jugglers throw around the lights of fireflies, and the tightrope shows off the enchantment of Loma’s shoes as she wears them to balance along a jungle rope.
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The Forest Drum Jam act highlights Fijian cultural inspirations as performers take to the stage to dance and stomp along to their wooden drums. They show off their acrobatic talents here, too, as multiple performers climb atop one another while drumming.
This leads into the first of two interactive sections where a male performer, using only his drum and a whistle, directs the four quadrants of the audience to clap in time with the rhythm.
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The entire production has a sense of approachability to it. Performers greet every guest at the entrance with a high-five, while others front the merchandise and beverage tables. Performers taking on these secondary roles outside off-stage makes the circus feel personal and deeply connected to the audience. It also complements the polish and sophistication on display.
Nowhere is this polish more evident than in the aerial scenes. There are trapeze and silk acts where performers take to the air to spin and twist above audience members’ heads. The partner and strength work on display here is especially strong.
But it’s cast member Malakai Tuima’s performance as the cloud deity “O” that is the standout of the entire show. Tuima appears on stage and rises into the air on a white hook to spin and glide through the space. This scene is slow and meaningful, with rain sounds played alongside the music to enhance the symbolism on display. Tuima’s performance is graceful and emotional, truly embodying a gentle rainstorm.
The show ends as it begins – with a dance number that highlights the intersection of circus acrobatics and Fijian culture and folklore. Bold and joyful, Fijian Flying Circus is a soaring production that absolutely sticks the landing.
Fijian Flying Circus plays the South Bank Piazza until October 4.
brisbanefestival.com.au/events/fijian-flying-circus
This article was written as part of The Critical Writing Program, run in partnership with Queensland Writers Centre and InReview Queensland, supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of Education.
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