Luminous

Director: Jessica Watson MillerPerformers: Christopher Hawkins, Adam Malone, Greta Mayr, Sarah Platts, Chris WillshireRating: ★★★★½

By KIRSTI WEISZ

Circuses are known for the uncanny world they immerse their audience in, and Melbourne Fringe Festival show Luminous is no exception as it creates a glowing and alien reality.  

Colour pierces the dark stage to create the world of Luminous, a neon wonderland full of acrobats, jugglers and glowing creatures that materialise before your eyes.  

Luminous is a black light circus show performed under ultra-violet light. Director and champion body painter Jessica Watson Miller, from Art Kinetica, paints the mischievous, surreal illusionists live on stage. Each show is unique as Miller brings new strokes to the iridescent beasts every night.

With a contortionist, a juggler, an aerialist and an object manipulator, Luminous combines many visual spectacles that defy both darkness and gravity. 

Once brought to life, the alien creatures inspired by sea critters and jungle animals treat the audience to a variety of circus acts including trapeze dances, gymnastic aerials, juggling and hula hooping.  

Complemented by electrifying and magnetic music, the sheer thrill of glow-in-the-dark solo skits is enough to visually entertain the audience. The interplay between the creatures only furthers the appeal. The seamless trapeze performance with the aerialist and contortionist is contrasted with the spirited bickering and fighting between the juggling duo. 

An undervalued part of the show is the enchanting and intriguing aroma reminiscent of a carnival that greets the audience. Before you even step inside the Gasworks Art Park theatre in Port Melbourne, an enthusiastic and well-dressed host encourages you to have a bite or play with the circus equipment laid out – tempting you to have a go yourself.  

Mesmerised by the performance, the flaws nearly go unnoticed. Any tricks that go astray, like dropped juggling balls and shaky acrobatics, blend into the performance and are met with perseverance or a cheeky expression. These minor hiccups can be forgiven considering the performers are moving canvases performing in utter darkness. 

The hypnotic, playful world of Luminous delights the senses and ignites the imagination in an experience previously alien to our planet.

Luminous is appearing as part of Melbourne Fringe Festival until October 3. Find ticketing information here. 

Accio Adulthood

Performer: Darcy DannRating: ★★★½

By EMILY BAXTER

Board the Hogwarts Express to the world of Harry Potter and Hogwarts with Accio Adulthood, a solo cabaret showing now as part of Melbourne Fringe Festival.

Created and performed by Darcy Dann, the show takes audience members on a magical journey, and is a tale of how Darcy’s passion for Harry Potter has helped her grow up in her own unique way. 

Darcy graduated from a Bachelor of Music Theatre at Federation University (formerly University of Ballarat) in 2014. Accio Adulthood started as a final-year assignment, but has grown since last year. 

Darcy isn’t afraid to take a good-natured dig at traditional cabaret, with a few mocking dance moves thrown in. But the real highlight of the show is her singing, as Darcy gives a Harry Potter twist to everything from The Sound of Music’s Favourite Things to Rihanna’s Shut Up and Drive.

And with lines like “Imagine that I’m a horcrux – destroy me”, there’s plenty to laugh along to. Her pure voice can easily be rougher when she needs it to be, and her vocal range is something to be heard. 

Darcy’s bubbly personality is infectious, and draws the crowd in. Which is crucial, given the level of audience participation. Darcy crosses popular culture platforms, drawing on a Bachelor-style contest with audience members, where they must choose their ideal Harry Potter character while blindfolded. While the result will change every performance, it’s certain that the blindfolded Bachelorette choosing Argus Filch for her soulmate will leave the audience in stitches. 

At times, the show takes a more personal turn as Darcy reveals how Harry Potter helped her through the tough time high school can be. And when audience members are chosen to read from her eight-year-old self’s diary, everyone gains an insight into how real Harry Potter can become, if you only let it happen.  

There were some opening night hiccups, with Darcy forgetting some lines. Generally, they weren’t obvious, and Darcy worked through them with a joke and a smile. No doubt she’ll iron these small issues out once she has a few performances under her belt. 

Darcy made good use of the intimate venue at 86, moving through the audience and dancing against the wall for one song. 

Accio Adulthood will delight Harry Potter fans, with plenty of original ideas and inside jokes for all lovers of the series. 

Accio Adulthood is showing as part of Melbourne Fringe Festival until September 30. Find ticketing information here.