The Sydney Opera House has resident sirens that are occasionally glimpsed at the far side of the building. They beckon to me throughout the school term until I can endure their call no more and head to a show or two with the kids, quickly checking if they’re visible for our visit.*
As the count down for the resumption of school, marked by T’s return to work, commenced I realised that we were yet to head into the city. Our interstate travels had halted the siren call, but I was fast being drawn back after only a day or two back in Sydney.
My children have quickly fallen under the spell of the Sydney Opera House and love visiting. These school holidays they decided to help cast the spell wider and invited two of their cousins along for our latest viewing.
Carnival of the Animals was touted as a “thrilling circus escapade inspired by Camille Saint-Saëns’ renowned composition“. We were expecting animals (do they even let them in the Sydney Opera House?), a wild ride of acts and perhaps some deep music. I was wonderful how they would bring to life Saint-Saëns’ fourteen movements. What unfolded was much richer and wonderful than I could have imagined.
Performed by Circa, an Australian circus company, the show immediately swept us up into its mesmerising narrative. The audience squealed in delight as they recognised animal after animal. “Look! A Penguin! It’s a penguin!” and giggled at the hilarity mustered by many of the performers.
At times, the audience was still, captivated with their mouths agape, as they watched the performers contort their bodies in extraordinary ways to express the gait of a favoured animal. At one stage, a mother next to be screamed out “chicken..they’re chickens“. Oh yes, this is one production you will lose yourself in.
I highly recommend the Carnival of Animals with its ability to quickly fuel the imagination and draw the audience in to its unique and glorious spectacular of acrobatics, storytelling and amusement. Be quick, there are only a handful of shows left at the Sydney Opera House this season. Not in Sydney? You can peruse the Circa Tour Dates for a show near you. Good luck!