THE feeling was mutual when Fringe World audiences adored the all-male cast in 2018’s hit acrobatic, zombie apocalypse-inspired show Elixir.
“It was probably one of the best festivals we’ve ever had,” acrobat and trapeze artist Thomas Gorham said.
“Everyone was keen to have a good time, crowds were massive and we had sell-out shows.
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READ NOW“It was a dream run so that’s why we decided to debut our new show in Perth because it’s been so good to us.”
Head First Acrobats is thanking fans with the premiere of its second production Railed, a Western-themed circus spectacular featuring the physical talents, comic timing and bare-chested chiselled bodies of original performers Gorham and Callan Harris with new crew Adam O’Connor-McMahon and Harley Timmermans.
“We have a lot of comedy acrobatics and pyramids; I’ll be doing a trapeze number, Cal is doing a ladder number and we’re doing teeterboard,” Gorham said.
“And then the new boys… Harley is doing cyr wheel and aerial straps and Adam is doing diabolo and hats, so manipulations and juggling props.”
Gorham said this second production had less narrative, more surrealism and was heavy on the circus.
“Elixir had extended changes between scenes, which really drove the narrative,” the 30 year old said.
“But we had a lot more circus to fit into an hour this time, so the changes are smaller, the narrative is thinner and there’s more surrealism.”
Gorham said the success of Elixir had showed them the value of a team.
“We didn’t start with as many skills or people behind us over the four years of putting that show together,” he said.
“It wasn’t finished until we did the Edinburgh season and got a director and costume and sound designer.
“So straight off the bat for Railed we organised directors, costume, music, lighting; every single part that wasn’t our specialty to be handled, so we could focus on the acrobatics and comedy.”
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Railed
Where: The West Australian Spiegeltent, The Pleasure Garden
When: January 22 to February 10
Tickets: www.fringeworld.com.au