Circus in a Tea Cup

Circus in a Tea Cup is a brilliant concept, well executed, highly entertaining as well as moving and enlightening, dealing delicately but also boldly with the theme of surviving domestic violence. In this show, a humble home becomes the setting to explore what it is like to feel safe, laughing over a cuppa with friends, only to have that world turn topsy turvy and upside-down. The seemingly simple kitchen and living room set takes on symbolic meaning as chairs become weapons, shields and cages, tables become hiding places, platforms and flying objects, and a picture frame becomes a mirror and a high-wire prop. The aerial work underlines the themes, but you can also witness the strength that achieving such physical feats gives to each performer. The setting starts as a place of trembling tea cups and shattered peace, but slowly becomes a place where the women take bold steps and fly high. Individual stories are told through filmed segments (sharp work by videographer, Paris Owen) where the women tell how they weathered the storm, through a love of sewing and creating, finding strong friends and family, embracing the colour pink, and mining family history and cultural heritage to find themselves again.

Co-creators Celia White (Vulcana's Artistic Director) and Michelle Grant-Iramu (learning consultant, mentor and social worker) worked with the team over the course of months to workshop and choreograph the piece with the performers. They all deserve special mention. They have a achieved a strong stage presence as an ensemble so that it is often difficult to tell the collaborating amateurs from the professional performers. Working alongside ensemble member Louise de la Haye is: Claudia Baxter, Chloe Callistemon, Kiki Devgun, Maddie Henaway, Liz John, Ash Jones, Anja Kapelski, Crystal Kowald, Grace Law, Natalie Lazaroo, Sarah Murphy, Colleen Odendahl, Tess Raby and Sally Walker. Seeing all these women moving together on stage is a powerful vision, their trust in each other unmistakable. Circus rigger, Helen Clifford must also take credit for her important work, and the lighting design by Sarah O'Neill helps to highlight the diversity of the cast, strongly underlining that there is no one template for domestic violence. This is supported by Lil Crump's costumes; they are brightly coloured everyday wear but flexible to allow for the physical work.

Vulcana Circus is an inclusive women's arts company that has been using circus skills to create performances in Queensland since 1995. The group specialises in community collaborations and in this show they partner with Brisbane Domestic Violence Service – part of Micah Projects – and their ensemble of professionals work with survivors of domestic abuse. Circus workshops, performance skills and the trust required of the ensemble space are all part of a recovery process. The performance is a way to tell the women's stories but also empowers them to find and use their new strength on stage. So, as well as the entertainment of visual storytelling and physical acrobatics, Circus in a Tea Cup has an added layer of emotional documentary, because you can see the performers' confidence transform and their sense of self emerge. That makes this show a unique experience. Audiences who have been through domestic violence will find something positive in this show and those who just want to be entertained will enjoy Circus in a Tea Cup too.

Beth Keehn

Images: Jade Ellis Photography