Model Citizens review

What makes us who we are? Are we all the same and if not, can we accept our differences and co-exist peacefully? In Circus Oz's new show Model Citizens these ideas are explored through a variety of tricks and acrobatics that captivates its audience from the very first second right up until when the lights go back up with an extremely polished and well-thought out production.

The opening minutes of the show in which the talents of its eleven cast are showcased, are thrilling and energetic with the momentum never slowing down throughout the two-hour spectacle. It's refreshing to witness a show where the performers' personalities come through and express genuine excitement to be on stage inside the Big Top tent.

Vipassana: Ten Days of Silence

My mind is constantly sprinting from thought to thought. Partly from my anxiety and partly from being a full-time worker, part-time student and avidly attending various Melbourne theatre and live art performances, so when a friend told me about a ten day silent Vipassana meditation retreat, I was all ears. Vipassana means to see things as they really are, and the practice is based around deep connections between the mind and body. This involves meditating eleven hours a day between 4:30am and 9pm, and for these ten days speaking, eye contact, reading, writing, the use of technology or sexual activity is prohibited. Perfect.

It was easy to sign up for, as the form itself only took two minutes and no payment was required as once you have completed the course you choose to donate how much you feel like, so I could easily have cancelled or backed out as the date got closer. As the date began to approach and started to become more and more of a reality, anxiety and fear crept in. Would I last one day let alone ten? How would I cope with a 9:30pm bedtime? And would eating only two meals a day sustain me? I jokingly contemplated cancelling and spending ten days at home, getting Uber Eats and watching all the films I need to watch and getting through the two dozen unread books I own.

Wrecking Ball review

The third and final show for Action Hero’s tour of Melbourne ends with their most affecting one, Wrecking Ball, which plays with the concept of the imagined and the real and what happens when these two things come together. Can they co-exist or will it be an explosion of catastrophic proportions? Created, written and performed by James Stenhouse and Gemma Paintin, it is a cleverly constructed show that gradually but suddenly pulls the rug out from under your feet.

Stenhouse is a photographer attempting to photograph a celebrity played by Paintin. The photographer is busy making himself a cocktail at his makeshift bar. Above him hangs a small neon lit sign with the words “cocktails and dreams”. He welcomes us and offers us a drink and to take our seat. The celebrity remains seated, surrounded by lighting and photographic equipment, patiently yet frustratingly waiting to begin the shoot.

Shrine review

There can be no greater pain than that of a parent losing a child. Presented by the Kin Collective, Tim Winton's Shrine, focuses on two parents who - a year on from when their son has died - are still struggling to find solace in what has happened and to move on. With a future that seems to provide nothing but sorrow, they both end up relying on the past to get them through the present.

Winton's writing is heartfelt and poetic, but when it is placed into a performance theatre context, it is almost impossible to retain the same emotional depth due to the narrative devices used. Marcel Dorney attempts to create honest and raw characters but his direction and some ineffective blocking leads to a strong disconnect between character relationships as well as the characters and the audience. If we are expected to feel sadness and grief, to share in the pain of the Mansfield's, then Shrine simply doesn't work.

The scenes between Alexandra Fowler and Chris Bunworth as the mourning parents are too theatrical to create any true emotional connection where even Fowler's devastation at Jack's funeral feels contrived. Bunworth's scenes with June (Tenielle Thompson) initially start off distant and awkward, but the two performers eventually find their flow and the relationship is probably the most genuine of all being portrayed.

Hoke's Bluff review

There is nothing quite representative of American culture than a packed auditorium or sports field of screaming high schoolers cheering on their team. The colour, the noise and the atmosphere can be electric and in Action Hero's Hoke's Bluff, this is vividly brought to life through a high-paced exploration of glorified dream chasing. 

The space is authentically designed to resemble a basketball court with bleachers on each side and the school flag and mottos emblazoned on the walls. A dancing animal mascot is rallying the crowd, popcorn is handed out and loud music is playing that would have even the grumpiest and sullen of attendees find themselves surrendering to the spirit of the game.