Sidesault at The Melba is a showcase of local and international contemporary circus acts that promises to push the boundaries of performance art. Each show is guaranteed to have you raising your eyebrows and gasping with shock. Ladies and gentlefolk, step right up!

My Sight – Their Sight is a playful and thought-provoking work by talented trio, Blindful. The idea behind the group’s namesake is about exploring movement without the advantage of sight. Throughout the show the performers take it in turns being blindfolded, having to trust in each other and themselves. Without sight, they are forced to rely on touch and sound cues to orient themselves in the space. And yet the pace never stops. With backgrounds in dance, capoeira, parkour and acrobatics, their frenetic energy sees them running, bouncing around, climbing and rolling over one another for a full hour. It’s exhilarating – and exhausting – to watch.All the way from across the ditch, Colossal Productions are here in Melbourne to present their award-winning performance, Laser Kiwi. This show beautifully weaves sketch comedy and slapstick acrobatics to create a feel-good atmosphere that had the audience crying with laughter. I think my main takeaway from this show is that when you’ve got an idea for a joke, you have to fully commit. Whether it’s a dad joke, a monster impersonation, or even if you’ve just decided to light a match with your toes while doing a handstand, stick with it and you’ll get people guffawing-out-loud.

Now, a show to really get you outside your comfort zone is Boss Squad, brought to you by the five fearless females from Madhouse Circus / Point & Flex Circus. The show includes teeterboard, juggling, hula hooping, tumbling, and the most elaborate display of jump rope, all wrapped up in a narrative that aims to shatter gender stereotypes. Using staple guns, smashed light bulbs and a glass of milk, this performance has a strong imperative to show what women are made of, and content warning: it’s definitely NOT for the faint-hearted.

Now in its second year, Sidesault at The Melba is a curated series of circus acts guaranteed to bring you something out of the ordinary. Other shows include Jugg Life, Hell is Other People and Feed the Horse.

Kaz
Kaz D. is a Melbourne-based lover of all things arty, with a particular penchant for dance and theatre.

Sidesault at the Melba is showing from 11-21 October 2018 at the Melba Spiegeltent, Collingwood. Check out the festival guide and book tickets now!

Disclosure: The Plus Ones were invited guests of Circus Oz.

Image credits: Circus Oz; Blindful – Photo by David Horne