Fringe: Community Heartbreak

The show’s focus is on community – what it takes to build them and what it means when somebody leaves. While the story is inspired by the personal loss of several people close to the writer and some of the cast, we’re reassured that it’s not all doom and gloom, as Davis explains, “This is shamelessly a circus – traditional acts, designed to be fun and joyous. But it has a point to make.” 

This is what you call an ensemble performance – there are ten performers and no solo performances. “Everyone is on stage the whole time, working through 12 different disciplines,” says Davis. “To be a part of the show, people bring their world class skill, but are also required to perform something they are brand new at – learned for the show.” Each act represents an aspect of how relationships – trust, risk, shared adventure and fun – are created.

Fitting a cast of ten into The Melba Spiegeltent is no mean feat. The show takes place in front of and around the audience, completely immersing them in the show. This ensemble cast balances humour, excitement and pathos with their performance filled with exceptional skill. “Circus is an unusual forum for the discussion of ideas,” admits Davis, but this hasn’t stopped him from creating an impressive piece of work.

Davis is keen to check out a few of the other Fringe at The Melba Spiegeltent and the Boardwalk Republic. The one thing he is hoping to see this year is performances with passion. “I want a show that looks like it was made with care. I don’t care what type of show it is if I think the creators loved what they made. And if it makes me think about something, then that’s just gravy.”

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17 — 21 & 24 — 28 Sep, Melbourne Fringe Festival, The Melba Spiegeltent