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Kevin Kwong

Circus Oz
Lyric Theatre
Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
Reviewed: Sept 20
This Melbourne-based human circus runs a very tight ship, with only about a dozen artists appearing in any one performance.
Still, because most members  double up as musicians and are  multi-skilled, the troupe  appears a lot bigger than it  is. But at Circus Oz, size matters  little and appearances can be deceptive;  a woman weighing  more than 70kg is as agile and flexible as an athletic man half her size.
Led by artistic director Mike Finch,  the show is a mix of comedy, acrobatics and trapeze,  peppered with plenty of slapstick  humour.
Joel Salom  brought the house down as he tried to juggle while taking off his jacket;   Scott Hone  rode his bike like a raging bull;  and musical director John O'Hagan's  attempts  to get his ensemble to perform a classical piece ended in  acrobatic mayhem. Eric the robotic dog's  attitude and sarcasm was another highlight. But there were a few serious moments, too. Singer Christa Hughes and  strongwoman Mel Fyfe teamed up to satirise the shallow social definition of beauty and, during a trapeze act, there was a quick reference to the appalling pollution in Hong Kong.
Circus Oz  don't  offer  anything  ground-breaking in terms of technique  and would be hard pushed to outshine the mainland's acrobatic troupes, which are among the best in the world. But that's  probably not their aim.  They package  their act  with   panache and the  big, goofy personality of the troupe shines throughout.
It's a funny,  intelligent circus act that not only entertains but also provokes.
Until Sept 30, HK$395, HK$495 and HK$595. Inquiries: 8203 0299



Circus Oz