Circus artist Marianna Joslin was born with a rare heart condition that went undiagnosed for six years.
In 'Fallot' at Adelaide Fringe, Company 2 explores our heart through the art of circus, through modern acrobatics with a life-affirming beat.
Here, Director Chelsea McGuffin answers some questions about 'Fallot'.
As the Director of the show, what did you set out to achieve when you started preparing it for Fringe?
The Fringe is always exciting and scary at the same time. It is great environment to place your work in the mix of other independent artists. A great place to network, see work and share ideas but challenging to find a way for your work to pop out with everything going on. 'Fallot' is a work that shares a true story of the heart, using circus and theatre to take the audience on a journey. A journey that we can all connect to in some way. I guess we are hoping that our story will pop out at the Fringe and reach new audiences and maybe other festivals which would like to share this story with their audience too.
What has been your biggest challenge with this show?
The biggest challenge has been to take a story which is so personal and find a way that shares the story in a respectful way for the artist – Marianna Joslin – but also opens the story up to connect with a wider audience and creates an entertaining performance.
Image © Carnival Cinema
And on the flipside… Your greatest feat?
Getting a show up is always a great feat especially as I am working mum, independent and time poor with big ideas. I am very proud of this work and the journey it has started to take.
It's an 'exploration of the heart', and of circus performer Marianna Joslin's story with Tetralogy of Fallot condition. Tell us more…
Marianna was born with Tetralogy of Fallot and this show was created as a place to share that story and look at the what it really means to have two open heart surgeries and the emotional effects of being so open. You cannot be in a more vulnerable place than having your heart operated on. Exposed to the outside world. Marianna's experience shapes her life every day. Circus has become a place for her to express herself and a form that allows for vulnerability, hard work, risk, achievement and all the things that challenge and create her world.
Why do you think a show like this is important?
This show is important as it speaks the truth. The truth of Marianna's journey and opens it up for us all to question the choices we might be making for ourselves.
What do you love about it?
It's a circus show like no other. Twisting from dark moments to glam circus. I love that we are trying to not stay inside the one tone.
Image © Carnival Cinema
Why does 'Fallot' belong at Adelaide Fringe?
It’s a project made by independent artists and companies. The Fringe is the platform we have to get our work out to audiences.
What are you hoping audiences leave this show thinking and feeling?
I hope people will have been entertained, laughed, moved and connected with the artists and the story in way that they can reflect on their own journey. And have a good night out!
What's your favourite thing about circus?
Its risk, beauty and ability to express a story through physicality.
