Dynamic circus group swings to campus in March

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - An internationally acclaimed circus group will showcase its dazzling talents next month right here in West Lafayette.

For nearly 35 years, Circus Oz has performed for millions in more than 26 countries across a handful of continents. It has also broken box office records at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and is considered the gold standard for contemporary circus across the globe.

The group comprises Aussies who will bring their death-defying “Circus Oz: From the Ground Up Tour” to Purdue’s Elliott Hall of Music at 4 p.m. March 3.

The show is presented by Purdue Convocations and includes a pre-show discussion free for ticket holders. A member of the artistic team will talk about the performance in Lawson Computer Science Building, Room 1142, at 3 p.m.

Many of the circus’ acts are new, but the spectacle is vintage Circus Oz: an ode to Vaudeville and a spin on the classic animal-free variety show circus. A few features include: live rock music, musician acrobats, acrobat jugglers, and juggling trapeze artists.

Two performers from the company’s Blakrobatics Indigenous Master Class program are the newest talents to join the 14-member ensemble. One of them is a state air guitar champion.

The inspiration behind the imagery, sets and costumes for the new show stemmed from the famous Charles C. Ebbets 1932 photograph, “New York Construction Workers Lunching on a Crossbeam.” A huge construction beam is the focal piece of the circus set and facilitates the daring aerial performances and stunt mastery that will soar across Elliott Hall of Music’s stage.

"The theme of the show takes us back to our own identity," Circus Oz artistic director Mike Finch said. "What does it mean to be Australian? We are all really into the idea that we're building it from the ground up into a diverse community of people."

"Circus Oz: From the Ground Up" debuted in the United States on Nov. 30 of last year with a month of stunt jumping at The New Victory Theater in New York City. The New York Times coined the spectacle premiere "…a good one: a little naughty, a little nice, a little death defying."

All music is created and performed by the rocking Circus Oz band. The show is recommended for children over the age of 5, and of course, adults.

Tickets are $22-$52 for adults and $22-$39 for children 18 years and younger, Purdue students and Ivy Tech Lafayette students. Tickets are available at the Elliott Hall and Stewart Center box offices at 765-494-3933 or 800-914-SHOW. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more can be ordered at 765-496-1977.