Head First Acrobats trade their raunchy late-night 'Elixir' routine for an arvo of family friendly feats and fart jokes in 'All Star Circus'.
The Head First guys, who are joined by a pair of talented female acrobats, serve up a show which has something to offer everyone, from babes-in-arms to the mums, dads, and grandparents.
While Head First’s adult shows are structured around an underlying narrative, for the kids show, they wisely present a 55-minute variety hour, hosted by Cal and Thomas, who play as the cool PE or science teachers. While there is some overlap between 'Elixir' and 'All Star', such as elements of Cal’s spectacular ladder solo, Liam’s jaw-clenching aerials and Thomas’ wobbly handstands, many of the acts are tailored to appealing to kids: there’s head balancing on skateboards, bouncy ball juggling, and hula-hoop spinning. The kids are assured that if they practice hard, or go to uni to study circus, they can achieve anything that they see on stage.
For the adults, there are double entendres and jokes which will go over the heads of the kids; there’s AC/DC for the dads and chiselled abs for the mums. Some of the more artistic aerial routines, while dazzling for all ages, can also probably be more deeply appreciated by the grown-ups.
Overall, appropriately, 'All Star Circus' is a finely-balanced afternoon of circus which will appeal to the whole family, and which might whet the appetite for an evening 'Elixir'.
★★★★☆ 1/2.
