Sydney Reviews

Flying Fruit Fly Circus brings us Big Sky, a show that explores the whirling, tumbling, tumultuous, and poetic transition from childhood to adulthood. It navigates the thrilling yet challenging journey of adolescence – a time when we are both unique, discovering who we are, and deeply connected to those around us.

The scene is set with the juxtaposition of a school gym in a junkyard. Aerial equipment mingles with a rusty car, creating an atmosphere thick with tension and anticipation. The opening act is deceptively predictable: a troupe of young people somersaulting through hoops. But soon, it becomes clear there are more ways than you'd ever imagine to pass through rings as the performers roll, tumble, fly, step, gallop, and throw themselves through with increasing complexity, raising the stakes as the audience collectively gasps. Their movements are playful yet skilled, a perfect embodiment of the balance between collaboration and individual expression that defines adolescence.

Though lacking a linear narrative, the performance does not suffer. Instead, it offers hints of a story, allowing the audience to fill in the blanks. You see flashes of your own childhood, moments of a youth you wished for, or scenes from films and TV shows that attempt to  explore this pivotal time of life. During the pole act, the young performers displayed a bold, carefree spirit often associated with youth. They effortlessly scaled the pole and tumbled down with that fearless, death-defying energy of adolescence – flipping, twisting, and always sticking their landing. The audience held their breath as they slid down face first, stopping just centimetres  from the ground.

The see-saw act showcased the performers' implicit trust in one another. Visual, physical, and auditory cues signalled readiness, ensuring that each partner was perfectly timed to launch their fellow acrobat into the air to spin, somersault, and loop safely onto the mats below.

The aerial acts provided quieter moments, but they were no less complex. These sequences mirrored the inner thoughts of a young person – balancing, tying oneself in knots while trying to figure out who you are, and then with the dexterity of youth, finding a way out and expressing that discovery.

The cast of Big Sky made it all look effortless, but they never let us forget their dedication to rehearsal, training, and each other. Their brilliant performance is sure to inspire others to use their physical talents to create and convey the inner worlds we all hold.

The young performers beautifully captured the tension, joy, and discovery of finding one’s place in the interconnected web of relationships while embracing the uniqueness of their own identities.