Cirque Bon Bon, brought to you by the fabulous folks at JACS Innovating Entertainment during the Brisbane Festival, burst onto the scene at the Southbank Piazza like a glitter bomb! This wasn't just a circus; it was a kaleidoscope of colour, sound, and gravity-defying talent.
Clarke McFarlane, a.k.a. Mario Queen of the Circus, was the host of the performance, impressing the audience with his juggling routine performed to the tune of “Another One Bites the Dust.” His charisma and impeccable sense of humour brought laughter to everyone present.
The night kicked off with an ethereal act set to a slow version of Blondie’s “Heart of Glass", as aerial artist Tim Kriegler soared above the stage, executing incredible tricks and oversplits like it was nothing. I will say that the audio experience during the entire show was phenomenal. Every act added to the musical layers, forming a rich tapestry of sounds that immersed us further into the show.
In their floor routine to "Diamonds," Duo Synergy, Emma Goh and Scott Lazarevich, demonstrated innovative, mind-blowing tricks that were unlike anything I’d seen before, all executed with such careful precision that the audience was collectively gasping in disbelief. The pair’s connection and immense strength made every move mesmerising, leaving me spellbound as they pushed the boundaries of both physicality and possibility.
The upbeat, sparkly number “Sunglasses” added a fun, energetic flair from the quartet of dancers. Meanwhile, the contortionist Shannen Michaela wowed the crowd with her routine to a sultry version of Britney Spears' “Toxic." Her grand finale? Shooting a balloon with her feet using a bow and arrow while balancing upside down on her hands. Yes, you read that right. I can’t even balance my coffee cup sometimes.
Alexandre Lane’s Cyr wheel act looked like such fun! I was genuinely worried he might spin straight off the stage and into the laps of the audience members in the front row. The Cyr wheel even lit up like a lightsaber, turning his act into a real-life circus disco!
We were swept away by the beauty of Thomas Worrell on the aerial hoop during a dramatic rendition of “Sweet Dreams." His graceful movements were poetry in motion. Duo Synergy returned for a breathtaking partner dance to “At Last,” fusing contemporary and ballet in a way that can only be described as a masterpiece of artistry and emotion.
A comedic interlude came when Clarke literally climbed through the audience searching for a "volunteer" to ride on his shoulders while he rode a unicycle around the stage. His antics had everyone in stitches, especially when he picked another good sport from the audience who ended up in a banana food fight during “Under Pressure.” The fun didn’t stop there—he led the crowd in a karaoke short rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody." The lucky participant was having a beaut of a time, while the rest of us cheered him on enthusiastically! And as the show neared its conclusion, the audience delivered a group performance of “We Are the Champions,” lighting up the piazza with our phones and uniting everyone in a moment of pure joy. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, Emma and Scott rolled back onto the stage on roller skates for “Ain’t No Sunshine,” performing tricks that made my jaw drop and a remarkable split-second costume change.
Cirque Bon Bon: Le Retour was a visual and auditory feast that brought the house down. Kudos to the talented ensemble, including host Clarke McFarlane, circus artists Alexandre Lane, Tim Kriegler, Shannen Michaela, Emma Goh, Scott Lazarevich, and Thomas Worrell, along with dancers Holly Soper, Jayden Grogan, Kurtis Holstein, and Tiara (Locke) McCool. This production was a testament to creativity, artistry, and pure fun. If you weren't there, don't worry - I'm sure the circus train will be back in town before you know it!
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