Circus Oz to Bring Bold Acrobatics to Walton Arts Center
This weekend marks the kickoff of Circus Oz at the Walton Arts Center. Beginning March 29, the “irreverently irresistible” Australian acrobats in steampunk outfits making up the Circus Oz troupe will boldly take to the Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall in a two-hour contemporary circus featuring astounding acrobatics, comedy and live music.
This Australian contemporary and industrial take on the circus is renowned for its athleticism, stark style and quintessential Aussie cheekiness. Performances in Fayetteville will run from March 29 through April 1 and again on April 3. Times are shown and tickets are available at waltonartscenter.org.
The circus, since it was founded in 1978 in Melbourne, Australia, has traveled to more than 26 countries on five continents, according to the circus’s website.
Many students may be familiar with another world-famous circus, Cirque du Soleil, but though Circus Oz matches Cirque du Soleil in the skill and acrobatics of its troupe, one thing sets it apart: Circus Oz is scrappy. Think tattoos, asymmetrical haircuts and scraggly, almost cabaret-like outfits.
Much of the production’s inspiration comes from Australia’s past.
“A century ago the industrial steam-powered world was fuelled by coal, and the irony does not escape us that although we’re all iConnected and eBooked, Australia today is still powered by some of the dirtiest coal-fired power stations in the world,” said Mike Finch, Circus Oz’s artistic director, of Circus Oz’s steampunk inspiration.
A major tenet of the group’s performances is the drive for social justice. Much of the circus’s proceeds over the past three decades have gone to foundations supporting everything from homeless shelters to children’s hospitals to those suffering from AIDS to victims of domestic violence.
Students can get a 50 percent discount for the Thursday and Sunday evening performances anywhere in the theater except for the main floor prime by using the promotional code ‘STUDENTDEALS’ when buying tickets online. Students who buy tickets using the student discount will need to show a student ID when picking up their tickets.
