Famous

The clown is the classic outsider and his attempts to ascend to the heights of fame using charm and trickery are used to anchor the narrative and expose the alure and detrimental effects of fame. The chorus of paparazzi and fans throw light on the tensions and dizzying demands of endless attention which fall on celebrities,

Each person gets a chance to show off their particular skills within the narrative and all are very comfortable with their equipment and at times they create breathtaking moments. But it is in the ensemble that Anais Stewart, Luca Trimboli, Gabriel Walker, Merlene Hutt, Gemma Jackson, Rose Symons, Jasmin Tait, Taylor Vogt, Jasmine Poniris, Tyson Wallent, Jesse Holden and Zaelea Nolte really shine with discipline and energy. The balance and strength components which were taken to the trapeze and poles and excellent floor grappling really stole the show. Several ongoing pursuits were delightfully funny as well as demonstrating strong timing and ensemble work. The audience was informed one of the performers was injured during rehearsal and some of the performance had to be changed to accommodate their absence. There was no evidence of the change which is a testament to the readiness of the students for the vagaries of performance.

Tim Rutty’s set did all that was asked of it providing all the technical requirements with some quirky and flexible charm. The costumes were coherent yet individualised and were deliciously over the top. The range of music from lively jazz to challengingly modern was satisfying and complemented the moods of the various episodes in the performance.

NICA is a powerhouse of education for those who find themselves passionate about exceptional physical arts and the whole arts industry is enriched by its work and the space it provides for its students to develop into professional performers.

Ruth Richter

Photographer: Cameron Grant