| Circus Oz | Milton Keynes Theatre 24 – 27 August 2005
Wed–Sat eves 7.30pm
Thur & Sat mats 2.00pm Suggested minimum age: 6+. Box Office: 0870 060 6652 (booking fee) Founded in 1977, Circus Oz is often credited with being the first contemporary circus in a now significant international industry. As a major innovator in the field of Physical Theatre, the show blends stunts, theatre, music and tongue-in-cheek humour with traditional circus skills. The group specialises in acts of strength, daring and grace combined with comic irreverence. Circus Oz has enjoyed critical acclaim from people of all ages, and incredibly they have performed to over two million people in 26 different countries across five continents to date! |
"Isn't it amazing what some people will do for a living" said Captain Frodo of Circus Oz as he squeezed his body through two tennis rackets (un-strung of course!).
 | | Circus Oz: Human canonball! |
And while that comment probably echoed what a lot of the audience were thinking inside, outwardly there were actual loud gasps of complete astonishment throughout the show as the acrobats, aerialists and contortionists of this incredible company performed exhilarating and at times literally death defying feats. There was the clown who walked upside down on the ceiling and another who balanced precariously on top of a lamp post as it swung across the front rows of the audience. There was a contortionist who squeezed herself into a small plastic box, a real live human cannon ball and Ali Weaver's amazing rope trapeze act where she swung high above the stage in ever more daring positions. Of course there was also Frodo's dislocation and sword swallowing which brought yet more ooohs and aaahs from the audience. He may be able to control his gag reflex but at that point - I couldn't! And the hula hooping wasn't just hula hooping - there were some 20 or so hoops - on one person! And the juggling wasn't just juggling. There were at least seven balls involved and Sosina Wogayehu bent right over backwards to do it!
 | | Circus Oz |
Every act showed just what lengths that the human body could be pushed to - given the right equipment - i.e. double joints and a total lack of fear! It was all incredible to watch - although I had to peer through my fingers for a lot of it for fear they would do themselves an injury! Much of the attraction of this show is that while they are executing such amazing stuff, none of the performers take themselves too seriously. Frodo's attitude is typical. His banter while he dislocates many of his joints during the tennis racket stunt is basically saying - "I know this is a ridiculous thing to do but I've learnt it so I'm going to do it"! And why not indeed?!
 | | Circus Oz - very slinky! |
To top it all, they all play instruments as well, and provide their own exciting background music for the whole show! This is quite simply a breathtaking evening. So much so that some of the performances look like magic trickery, when clearly they're not, proving that this circus are truly the wizards of Oz!
We spoke to Circus Oz sword swallower and contortionist Frodo. But don't read this interview on a full stomach!
Don't try this at home! > | 
