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Circus Oz
Where there's smoke there's fire, and in June/July 2000,
the Melbourne Town Hall was ablaze with the return home of
Circus Oz, since their departure in January for non-stop touring
around the world. It wasn't just the Melbourne Town Hall that
was ablaze either. During the Circus Oz grand finale, hoops,
juggling clubs and performers were quite literally set aflame,
to the awe of audiences old and young alike.
 Circus
Oz, who celebrated a 22nd birthday in 2000, are the original
contemporary circus, containing no animals and incorporating
current political rhetoric into performances. Twenty-two years
on and Circus Oz still work by the original premises that
it began with: collective creation of work, multi-skilling
of personnel, gender equity, the creation of shows exemplifying
teamwork rather than 'stars', and a uniquely Australian feel.
Or as Circus Oz put it themselves, 'weirdos, working hard,
with each other'.
It is this unique set of premises and performances, deeply
rooted in Australia's own diverse culture, that has made Circus
Oz so successful overseas. While wanting to interest and entertain
audiences both locally and abroad, Circus Oz do not wish to
create work that is bland and accepting of a global mono-culture.
Wherever Circus Oz tours internationally, it is the Australian
aspects of the show that are noticed, from didgeridoo playing,
to the performers ability to turn things on their head and
send themselves up in a particularly laconic and larrikin
way.
For the year 2000, Circus Oz will entertain audiences in Korea,
Austria, Turkey, England, New York, Sydney and Melbourne.
Although Circus Oz has covered a lot of ground with international
markets, the majority of their touring in the past 22 years
has been within Australia, playing not only to capital cities
and major regional areas, but extending their tours to include
remote communities, including those in Arnhem Land. A five-month
tour of regional centres covering most states of Australia
has been planned for 2001, to keep it close to the Australian
culture that is at the heart of the creation of a Circus Oz
show.
Despite the long periods on the road, the Circus Oz touring
party is small by comparison to many other performing groups.
What it lacks in size, however, it makes up with sheer diversity,
both on and off the stage. Members of the band fly through
the air chasing their instruments, acrobats take up instruments
with enthusiasm to play in the band, riggers form human statues,
and tightrope walkers rig. It is a true team effort during
all stages of planning, production and performing.
 Social
comment is another defining feature of Circus Oz. They portray
women as strong and men as graceful, they take traditional
circus routines such as the tight rope, and turn them into
a whip-cracking, tutu-wearing, hysterically funny commentary
on sexuality. In 1988, the back page of the Circus Oz carried
the Koori flag, and questioned the value of the bicentennial
celebrations in view of continuing injustices to the Aboriginal
people. Circus Oz pushes boundaries, viewing their role not
just as a group who come to entertain their audiences, but
as a group who interacts with audiences, presenting ideas
and raising questions.
Circus Oz supports the circus community and circus skills
that are becoming more prevalent through the arts world of
Australia. The home of Circus Oz, in Port Melbourne, Victoria,
does more than house one of Australia's primary cultural exports.
Many other performance and circus groups utilise the space
to create their own performances. Public workshops are held
in a variety of circus skills, and more recently Circus Oz
has entered into a partnership with the Stars Gym to present
a series of circus workshops for Koori children.
Although the touring credentials may be impressive - 227
performance seasons, in 26 countries, on five continents -
it is perhaps its endurance that is most impressive. For 22
years, Circus Oz has blended old and new. They have mixed
artistic experiment, entertainment and social commentary in
a manner that is accessible and appreciated by audiences,
and influential to performing companies around the globe.
It is this frenetic mix that has allowed Circus Oz to burn
itself, one might say, a place in the Australian performing
arts world.
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