If you think seeing one circus means you’ve seen them all, Infamous will make you think otherwise. It’s a circus show with stunts so high and so wild that they need their own purpose built big top tent to accommodate them! The spiegeltent just isn’t big enough.
Infamous opens on a very strong, and, pun intended, high note with the aptly named Wheel of Death. It’s a rarely seen act these days, and one that sets the standard for the rest of the evening’s show. For the unfamiliar, it’s a huge rotating piece of equipment with two wheels, in, and on, which performers carry out various acrobatic manoeuvres. A little like a mouse wheel for humans but with dizzyingly dangerous heights and stakes.
And Infamous likes to constantly raise the stakes. Not content with just doing acts inside the wheel as it rotates and reaches the heights of the tent, they decide to run on the outside of the wheel once it’s reached its highest point. Think it can’t get any crazier than that? Why not pull out a skipping rope and start skipping up there. Even that’s not daring enough for this troupe – why not add to the danger by blindfolding the performer!?
And that’s only the opening act – if that’s the way they’re opening – imagine the other jaw-dropping edge of your seat moments you will see at Infamous!
Watching Infamous last night, I realised that, apart from the trapeze in the open at Fool’s Paradise in Victoria Square, I have not seen trapeze performed since I was a child. Infamous changed that last night. And just like with the wheel of death at the beginning, the stakes are high, and the daringness off the charts – and it seems that the Infamous troupe really like blindfolds!
These old-school circus acts are sadly not often seen these days. The Ashton family that is behind, and in, Infamous has several generations of circus experience, and has owned this circus since February 1850 so they are celebrating 175 years this month. Producer Joseph Ashton is a 6th generation circus performer so to say circus is in his blood is an understatement! Perhaps these generations of experience are why they bring these feats not seen elsewhere.
There’s the perfect combination of the daring, the comic and the sexy in Infamous. Comic interludes come from Ian Richardson in his red shorts and vest who entertains the audience between acts. But don’t think he’s a one trick pony – he is very skilled and surprises constantly throughout the show.
Dancey Rae, with her Marilyn-esque peroxide blonde bob is a fun and sexy femme fatale character – with fantastically shiny sequinned outfits (we want them all!)- who flirts with the audience – but don’t trust her! She will potentially lead you into dangerous situations…
Photo extracted from Infamous The Show’s website
There are so many wonderful acts, and we would love to mention them all but we don’t want to give too much away! However, Infamous could be trimmed to remove one or two of the dance numbers. We can understand them being used as filler when other performers are setting up for their act, but to have one straight after interval fell flat for us and was more filler than thriller. The show currently runs for 2 hours including a 10 minute interval but could perhaps be trimmed to 90 minutes without interval.
Infamous is most definitely not a family circus and is 16+ for good reason. It is apparent even from the merch stand before you enter the show – fancy some tassels, or a whip?
Infamous is show that juggles thrills, chills, and sheer skill and we strongly recommend you venture to West Terrace to see Infamous in its own Big Top to experience it.
4 CROISSANTS
Matilda Marseillaise was a guest of Infamous and Circus Joseph Ashton
KEY INFO FOR INFAMOUS
WHAT: Infamous
WHERE: Infamous Theatre, Ellis Park, corner of West Terrace and Sir Donald Bradman Drive, ADELAIDE
WHEN: 8pm Tuesday-Friday and Sunday, 6pm and 9pm Saturdays until the end of Adelaide Fringe on 23 March
HOW: Purchase your tickets via the Adelaide Fringe website
HOW MUCH: Ticket prices vary depending on where you sit. We were in B reserve to the right of the stage and had a great view. But if you want to take it up a notch and get front row seats for the action, there are ringside tables available at a higher price.
Tickets start at $65 for B Reserve and go up to $150 for A Reserve tables.
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