Trash Test Dummies Amy Nightingale-Olsen (centre), Leigh Rhodes (yellow hat) and Thomas McDonald.
Camera IconTrash Test Dummies Amy Nightingale-Olsen (centre), Leigh Rhodes (yellow hat) and Thomas McDonald. Credit: Supplied/Marie Nirme d490234

Amy Nightingale-Olsen clowns around with Trash Test Dummies at Fringe

Tanya MacNaughtonEastern Reporter

A LOVE of gymnastics brought Amy Nightingale-Olsen to Perth and a love of circus took her away, until now.

Nightingale-Olsen moved from Brunswick Junction to Wembley with her family when she was seven years old to study gymnastic Olympic training at WA Institute of Sport, (WAIS) which she did for five years.

However, things changed when she found youth circus Cirque Berserk in Fremantle and even more so in Year 10 when she discovered the National Institute of Circus in Victoria.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“I was like, ‘I can make a career out of doing the fun, physical things I love? Sold’,” she said.

The 31 year old completed a three-year Bachelor in Circus before travelling around Australia and New Zealand in various shows.

Joining circus comedy trio Trash Test Dummies in July 2018, as the first female Dummy, sees Nightingale-Olsen back in Perth for her first Fringe World, performing shows at The Big Top until February 3.

Joining circus comedy trio Trash Test Dummies in July 2018, as the first female Dummy, sees Amy Nightingale-Olsen back home in Perth for her first Fringe World. Trash Test Dummies is performing shows at The Big Top, The Woodside Pleasure Garden unt

“I’m mostly catching up with old friends and family while being back in Perth, getting them to come and see the show and what I’ve been doing with my life,” she said.

“The show is amazing and is such high energy.

“It’s really funny and has such good circus in it, but the clowning aspect is what was really exciting because it’s something you don’t get to perform a lot.”

Trash Test Dummies Amy Nightingale-Olsen (centre), Leigh Rhodes (yellow hat) and Thomas McDonald. Marie Nirme d490234
Camera IconTrash Test Dummies Amy Nightingale-Olsen (centre), Leigh Rhodes (yellow hat) and Thomas McDonald. Marie Nirme d490234 Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Armed with their humble household wheelie bin, the Trash Test Dummies clown around with acrobatics, slapstick and juggling, resulting in a highly entertaining family show.

“It just has something for everyone,” Nightingale-Olsen said.

“It can hold the attention of little ones and is funny, silly enough and has enough references that the older kids and adults really enjoy it.”

Trash Test Dummies Amy Nightingale-Olsen (centre), Leigh Rhodes (yellow hat) and Thomas McDonald. Marie Nirme d490234
Camera IconTrash Test Dummies Amy Nightingale-Olsen (centre), Leigh Rhodes (yellow hat) and Thomas McDonald. Marie Nirme d490234 Credit: Supplied/Supplied

THE ESSENTIALS

What: Trash Test Dummies

Where: The Big Top, The Woodside Pleasure Garden

When: Until February 3

Tickets: www.fringeworld.com.au