Flying Fruit Flies Circus -Circus under my bed

This was great here's what I thought for Sydney Arts Guide http://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/circus-under-my-bed/#more-4161 Book now if you haven’t already – some performances have extremely limited availability or in fact are already sold out. Excellent summer entertainment for families and young people aged 4 years and over , the performance I attended delighted and enthralled both young children and adults and showcased some extraordinary Australian talent . The energetic, daredevil students of Australia’s only full-time youth circus school , combining circus, dance and physical theatre ,flaunt their thrilling stuff in this world premiere of their new show that draws its audience into the imagination of a young girl ,Celeste ,spending the final night in her bedroom before her family moves home. Has she packed everything? Can she find her favourite book? As the lights go out, she conjures up a circus of whimsical characters – imaginary friends (or are they ?) who come out to play, perform and amaze in a mix of circus and cabaret .It is quite an encouraging moral narrative with a story – ‘The tale of the sad clown’ – as an interesting finale but with minimal script . There is also ‘Mr Rainbow of the Imagination ‘in purple suit, bowler hat and with his umbrella who sort of acts as Celeste’s confidante and ringmaster, and organizes everyone in the cast to help Celeste with her last minute final packing. Another character is Matilda in turquoise and white who is an aerialist among other things. The children in the audience can really relate to Celeste who in some ways is like an ‘everychild’.The troupe ranges in age from nine up to 19 years old and brings this rather surreal vaudeville vision to life through clowning, trapeze and everything in between .There is frenetic plate juggling , dazzling lyrical slithery aerialist dangling , ( plus hoop work) , some amazing chair balancing and ….All is bright , bold and colourful . There were aaahhs of excitement when the starfish like lamps were carried in at one point. There was some great fun had when packing some of her stuffed toys – one of the dolls sort of becomes alive and there are some silly , funny ,very bouncy and energetic sheep ( yes, including a black one ) who do some magnificent tumbling while being rounded up by the black and white sheepdog. We are advised not to be afraid of the dark, and some magical luminous balloons appear. There’s stilt walking (well , sort of – balancing precariously very high up on a ladder ) .The collapsible ‘bed’ Celeste has is also a giant book and is in fact the mattress used for the tumbling etc. It also becomes the huge painted ‘cake’ at one point (and yes the harrassed ,frenzied chef still falls for the pie in the face trick ) . Other sight gags are also included. You will also be amazed by the double balancing act of the two cast members dressed as books, with books fluttering from their elbows and knees – both a terrific costume design and a breathtaking act! The lighting by Sian James-Holland is tremendous, extremely effective. As is the music which combines traditional circus favourites and contemporary .The Opera House’s Studio has been reconfigured somewhat for the show and there is a huge ‘ring’ in the middle. Ordinary kids doing extraordinary things indeed! Go on, quick, book and treat the whole family. Running time – just under an hour (approx) no interval The Flying Fruit Flies Circus in ‘Circus Under My Bed’ runs at the Sydney Opera House January 14- 25