Flying Fruit Fly Circus : Circus Under My Bed – Ordinary Kids Doing Extraordinary Things

When I was little I was convinced that if we moved to Albury I could join the Flying Fruit Fly Circus (ignoring my lack of flexibility, two left feet and total lack of coordination). My parents ignored my pleas and I poured my energy into somersaults on my bed instead.

I’m all grown up now and still sometimes daydream about being in the circus so when I heard the troupe from the VERY Flying Fruit Fly Circus where heading to the Sydney Opera House to perform Circus Under My Bed I jumped at the opportunity to be part of the audience and introduce the kids to the Fruities.

Last year the Circus Under My Bed was nominated as Best Visual or Physical Theatre Production at the 2014 Helpmann Awards and I know why. Firstly, every performer is under the age of 18 with the youngest probably around 10 years old. They are highly flexible, contorting their bodies into positions which surely isn’t natural; super strong; weightless and ever so talented.

From the moment the performance began we were drawn into the Celeste’s story. With an impending move the very next day, Celeste’s mother keeps prompting her to pack up her stuff ready for their departure the next day. Celeste keeps stalling,she’s lost her favourite book and packing really isn’t that fun, but her imagination takes over and the real performance begins.

Through Celeste’s imagination we are introduced to a wide range of new characters who present trick after trick which captivated the audience every single minute. Mouths agape, we were spellbound, watching plate-spinning, tumbling, hula hopping and juggling. I don’t think anyone wanted the story to end.

It was from her dreams that Celeste recounted all the stories she had ever read. I was captivated and a little teary watching two acrobats perform in costumes where the pages of books unfolded from behind their knees and the insides of their elbows. Her lost book was found. Through Celeste’s journey the audience are able to see how the imagination and dreams can help us to process our emotions and problems. What sweet magic!

The Circus Under My Bed is lovely, overwhelming in its delicate beauty at times, and extremely awe inspiring. Highly recommended.

The Circus Under My Bed is on stage now at the Sydney Opera House until 12 July, 2015. Tickets start at $24.00 and can be purchased here. The Kid Bucket List were guests of the Sydney Opera House, we were under no obligation to write about our adventure.