Combining acrobatics, operatic cabaret and burlesque, Canberra arts legend Elena Kirschbaum created the highly acclaimed Rouge two years ago.
Kirschbaum describes it as โcircus for grown-upsโ that covers a wide array of skills and is playful at heart.
โThereโs that sense that if youโre making something for adults it needs to be sophisticated, a bit dry โฆ whatโs different about our show is we donโt take ourselves too seriously.
โAudiences get a real sense that they get to know the performers on a real level, and that makes it quite an intimate and special experience,โ she says.
As creative director, Kirschbaum says while she came up with the broad concept and vision for Rouge, from there she engaged in a creative process with the cast of six performing artists.
โWhen people came up with ideas we never shut them down, just gave them a go. We tried to keep the process really open so people could explore any ideas they had.
โWhat came out of it is a show that is more open-minded and explores more stories than you would usually see because it came from the creative vision of a number of people.โ
A โcircus show for grown-upsโ, Kirschbaum says Rouge is vastly different from the two conventional circus shows, the traditional big top or the contemporary Cirque du Soleil style.
โWe wanted to give this show a tagline to let people know itโs completely different, itโs not a family-friendly circus, and for adults this is a fun night out with a group of friends or on date night.
โThis is a bit more of a twist than what youโd expect to see from a circus,โ she says.
Kirschbaum credits Canberra for providing her with a fantastic environment to develop the performing skills sheโs used throughout her career.
โItโs a small place, thereโs a lot of opportunities and itโs a very vibrant and supportive arts community.
โCanberra has something thatโs really special and unique and gave me a headstart I really couldnโt have gotten in a big city,โ she says.
Rouge will be performed at the Canberra Theatre, 23-26 October; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
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