The Gasworks Circus Showdown took place from 9 - 12 August at the Gasworks Arts Park precinct in Albert Park. The festival, which has been running since 2012, is a showcase of local circus and provides professional development opportunities for emerging circus and physical theatre artists. This year’s competition was a chance to witness seven new creations present 10-15 minute works over three nights of impressive competition.

The competition featured performers displaying a mixture of skills from foot juggling to Chinese pole and acrobatics. The Grand Finale took place on Saturday 12 August and was won by Social Staples – the cast of whom are all students studying the Certificate IV in Circus Arts at NICA. Harley Mann (director/cast member), Taygan Booth (assistant director/ cast member), and cast members Elena Hood, Maxx Parsons and Isabelle Champagne-Chittick had a fantastic experience competing.

Director Harley Mann commented on the experience:
“The Gasworks Circus Showdown was one of the best performance experiences that we have been a part of. It’s a great chance for new or experimental circus works to stand on stage and test their material in a friendly and enjoyable environment. It is one of the only opportunities where artists can perform new and developing shows without costing an arm and a leg. The entire gasworks team are kind and professional, and are very willing to help you manage and learn all the behind the scenes work necessary to put on a performance.”

Social Staples is a contemporary circus show that uses food staples to mirror the basic elements in society. Building on the simple motif of a common can of diced tomatoes, the performance informs the audience of social necessities. The piece follows the abstract encounters of five young people as they explore the various uses of the essentials of any kitchen cupboard. A range of pantry props, including 51 cans of diced tomatoes, are coupled with aerial and ground acrobatics in a thoughtful piece that explores concepts of individual and collective gain, distribution of wealth, and the relevance of culture in developing societies.

Congratulations to Social Staples! This was a great presentation showing maturity and commitment from the whole cast.

Photos courtesy of Gasworks Arts Park, Lee Chittick and David Horne

23 Aug 2017