It is important to be tidy… even if you are in a circus… even if you are a flea. At least, that’s what Albert thinks. He should know, as he is a flea, and he has been a circus performer for many years. Bucket-man and Dot, the younger members of the Maurice Flea Circus, aren’t so sure.
But, they all have to work together, because the circus is in trouble; it is under the threat of being crushed by Cirque du Slimay!
Their mad-cap adventures will be a hoot for the family, with a range of exciting circus skills, from juggling and handstands, to rope-tricks and Chinese pole. What’s Chinese pole? Tom McDonald (who plays Albert) explains: “It’s kind of like climbing up a really tall street-sign and hanging off the top!” Added to that mix, there is a hefty dose of acrobatics, clowning and general tom-foolery.
The exciting mix also extends to the backgrounds of the performers from Three Thumbs Up: their careers include industrial design, and degrees in communications and social sciences, but a love of circus has brought them together. Tom met Karen Edelenbos (who plays Dot) in 2008, while studying circus in New Zealand and they have been working together around New Zealand and Australia ever since. Tim Elliot (who plays Bucket-man) joined them recently to put on this show, after meeting Tom while working for Circus Oz in Adelaide.
The result of this mixture is a show full of circus action centred around the silly. “There’s aren’t many shows in the fringe suitable for families,” says Karen, known for her festival character juggling act, Miss Ellaneous. “This show will appeal to the kids, but also to anyone who wants to think like a kid again. The stage is huge and we are but little fleas, so we need the audience to be loud and boisterous!”
Tim agrees. While Tom points to Tim’s handstand act as the funniest (and the sexiest!) and Karen thinks Bucket-man’s klutziness makes him the most lovable character, Tim thinks the audience highlight of the show is “the bit where we all fall down.”
See if your family agrees.
The Famous Maurice Flea Circus
Carriageworks,
Thursday 16 Sep, 6pm
Saturday 18 Sep, 6pm
Tuesday 21 Sep, 6pm
Thursday 23 Sep, 6pm
50 mins (no interval)
Full $24 / Conc $20 / Children $12
* 25% off at the door on “Cheap Arts” Tuesday.
p.s. The cast have guaranteed no fleas were harmed in the making of this show.
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