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The Flying Fruit Fly Circus is set to perform in Wagga Wagga and Griffith in April. Photo: Ian Sutherland.
The Flying Fruit Fly Circus is keyed up to present its latest ”awe-inspiring” national tour, Tempo, in the Riverina.
The Australian National Youth Circus will perform two shows in Wagga Wagga and Griffith next month.
Tempo is a one-hour extravaganza all performed around a white grand piano.
The action is set against a backdrop in which the orchestra is in town, but the musicians haven’t turned up, so what’s a prestigious conductor to do? The Flying Fruit Flies are called in to save the day.
“The ensemble of acrobats turn up to put on a wonderful orchestra circus performance,” Tempo director Jake Silvestro said.
“Some of them play music to accompany the acrobatics, and those that can’t, they make rhythm and sound with their bodies to accompany what’s happening on stage.
“It’s a bright, hilarious and playful show that effortlessly combines the skills of this multi-talented cast.”
Tempo features 12 extraordinary performers aged 12-18, and the original score is by Ania Reynolds.
Shifting between striking aerial acts and highly choreographed acrobatic chaos, Tempo draws heavily on the traditional knockabout humour of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, a trademark of the company over many years.
The director is looking forward to performing for Riverina audiences.
“We are so excited to perform in the region,” Jake said.
“Being a regional-based company, it is an excellent opportunity for our cast to see the country, share our work and engage with communities they wouldn’t otherwise get to meet.”
Jake said the show was built in stages over the past three years.
“We have spent a little over 12 weeks collectively in the rehearsal room making the show,” he said.
“In that time, various versions of the show have toured schools in NSW and Victoria, the Sydney Opera House and the Arts Centre Melbourne.”
The director said the first show of the tour, in Melbourne, was a huge success.
“The cast did an amazing job. The audiences loved the show and it was a great opportunity to get our new cast members up to speed before the national tour,” he said.
“I can’t stress enough what a delight it is to watch these performers. They are exceptional acrobats and I get a laugh out of every show.
“If anyone was wondering if this show is for them or not, I promise you, it is. Come see it.”
Jake is an acrobat and has been working in the arts for the past 10 years. He has spent most of his time on stage as a performer with the circus.
“I’ve loved touring around the world and enjoyed making shows that excite audiences,” he said.
“I’m really lucky to be able to work with the Fruities at this point in my life, where I am still working as a performer whilst working as a show director.
“It gives me the ability to be very physical when making the choreography and teaching the students about what is required of them in the performance.”
The show is suitable for families of all ages, with magic, slapstick, juggling, balancing, and acrobatics in, out and around the concert grand piano.
Tempo will be performed at the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre on Thursday, 4 April, at 6:30 pm and Friday, 5 April, at 10:30 am. Tickets can be bought here.
The Griffith Regional Theatre show will be on Tuesday, 9 April, at 7 pm and tickets can be purchased here.