CIRCUS OZ: FROM THE GROUND UP

I had seen Circus Oz once before, a long time ago when I was very young, and the fabulous impression has lasted since then. So, I’m thrilled that they’re finally back in town, at UCLA’s Royce Hall, for five shows this week-end. I just love seeing talented people, and this show is full of them!!!

Many of you know that I was in a traveling circus as a teen-ager, (which is seriously the reason my mother’s hair turned white,) and it’s been one of my most-requested stories since then. But watching Circus Oz was one of the few times that I feel guilty for even telling anyone about my own exploits because what they do is a million steps up from what I did. Wait—nix that—a gazillion steps up!

This Australian acrobatic troupe is a group of super-talented daredevils. I always marvel at how the performers at shows like this can talk/make funny noises/joke around while performing feats that could cause them so much bodily harm if done wrong. My mother used to make us kids always be quiet, (and chant, “Gently, gently,”) while she just put a record on the player! And these people are so cool and loose during high-wire acts! I just don’t get it.

For those of you unfamiliar with Circus Oz, they’re sort-of Cirque du Soleil meets Traces, both traveling acrobatic shows out of Canada. But the Aussies may pre-date them both. I’m not sure, but I saw Oz many years before I even heard of Cirque. If you’ve seen either of those others, you’re already a fan of this genre, and you have to see this show, too. If you’re new to it, this one is a good one to start with.

It’s performed on a normal theatre stage, as opposed to in the round, as some of the others are. They do many of the circus basics, like juggling and trapeze, but always with a twist. Oz is mostly fun surprises, though.

Just so that those of you who see it this week-end don’t think I’m nuts, yes, I know that the first five minutes or so are weak, but hang in there because the action picks way up, beginning with a guy on a pole. And the second act, to me, is far better than the first. I spent half of it feeling bad for the idiots who left at intermission because they missed a lot. [Note: Speaking of idiots, please check out my audience behavior rant at the bottom.] There’s a drum-and-tumbling number in the middle of it that’s just spectacular.

I have to admit that I’m not into the “humor” parts of shows like this, even though everyone else in the world is. The opening night audience was in constant laughter and every time I heard Mr. X chuckle, my heart sang. I’m too busy gasping at the troupe’s feats to feel like laughing.

The cast members are sort-of androgynous, for the most part, which actually makes it easier to concentrate on the action. We sat kind-of far back, (which you all know I hate, but there are really no bad seats at Royce Hall, so it was okay,) so at first, we kept asking each other, “Is that was a guy or a girl?” (Even the voices didn’t give them away.) But, after a few minutes, that all melted away and we saw just wonderfully talented people who were truly entertaining us.

Musical Director Carl Polke. Photos courtesy of Circus Oz.

Each section flowed into the other, with a mix of fascinating physical feats, humor, and music. The musicians were on-stage, and some of them even did the circus acts! It seemed like many of the troupe members wore several hats throughout the show. Mr. X was impressed with how they all supported each other the entire time. And he loved the juggling girl, Hazel Bock, who did a number in the first half that I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. He also said, “The guitar work on the musical director, [Carl Polke,] was just fantastic!”

My favorite was Dale Woodbridge, the guy who twirls a baton at some point in the first act. (He does a lot more than that, but that’s how I’m identifying him.) His body movements are just a joy to watch. Mr. X and I, both dancers ourselves, (but nowhere even close to this guy,) were in total agreement about his fantastic abilities. I seriously would go to a show of just that guy dancing. I couldn’t take my eyes off him whenever he was on the stage.

So many thoughts to share with you ran through my mind while I was watching the show, but I was too enrapt to take even one second to jot them down, so, other than the ones expressed so far, I guess my bon mots are lost to posterity. Shame. (Yeah, right.) But all you need to know is that seeing Circus Oz is a really fun way to spend an afternoon or evening. So, I suggest you take this opportunity to do just that.

I can’t leave this without a mention of audience behavior. I just don’t why so many people think that rules don’t apply to them! The guy in front of me took out his camera in the middle of the second act and videotaped the show! And not just a minute of it, either. He went for a full fifteen minutes until an usher stopped him. He held it right up there, blocking the view of the those behind him, and didn’t even try to hide what he was doing, even though there were signs all over, including a big one as we walked in, saying NO VIDEO TAPING. And they made an announcement to that effect, as well. What is wrong with people?! Rules are rules. They apply to everyone. (A pal just told me that I’m “obsessive-compulsive” because I obey rules and laws. And she thinks that she’s totally correct! Grrrr.)

So, leave your cameras at home, and go see Circus Oz this week-end. I promise that you’ll have it in your memory for a long time to come, no cameras necessary.

Circus Oz running through Feb. 10. 2013
Royce Hall at UCLA 340 Royce Drive 310-825-2101 www.cap.ucla.edu/calendar/event