Shaun The Sheep’s Circus Show thrills audiences of all ages!
Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show is perfect for big and little kids alike.
A brilliant collaboration between Aardman Animation and Circa Contemporary Circus, the show has made its world premiere right here in Australia.
Brisbane-based Circa are one of Australia’s most renowned contemporary Circus companies, regularly pushing the limits of what we know to be circus, and revitalising the form for new audiences and generations. Shaun The Sheep’s Circus Show is no exception, bringing such a well-loved children’s character and his friends to life.
The show follows the oft-disgruntled Farmer, who receives a brand new TV. Of course, in typical sheep-stirring fashion, Shaun and his pals manage to find plenty of ways to run amok and interfere with the Farmer’s afternoon of relaxing.
Everyone’s favourite characters make an appearance – from Timmy and his mum, to Shirley, and even the Naughty Pigs. The cast are doubled (and sometimes tripled) into all sorts of characters, signposted with some fun introductory scenes towards the start of the show. The way that Circa have managed to transform the theatre into the world of Mossy Bottom Farm is incredible. This is a credit to the set designer Dan Potra and costume designer Libby McDonnell. Costume pieces are used minimalls but effectively, making clear which character each performer is portraying. The stage is covered in large, green hills, and screens are used cleverly to not only show off title cards, but some very clever live-streaming.
It’s a great introduction to those who may have never attended the circus before, using recognisable characters and scenarios as a gateway into complex acrobatics and wonderful clowning. Throughout the show, you can expect to see an incredible assortment of flips, cartwheels, handstands, high-intensity juggling, a triple trapeze, silks, and so much more. Each circus act is cleverly worked into the narrative, and the two-and-a-half hours fly by easily.
The audience was a mix of both children and adults, and it was clear from the moment you walked through the front doors of the theatre that Shaun The Sheep’s Circus Show is very much for families. There are great moments that are very much catered towards younger viewers, but a nice balance of some more adult-leaning jokes as well. The Circa team, under the direction of Yaron Lifschitz, have really created a fantastic and well-rounded piece of theatre.
Shaun The Sheep’s Circus Show is set to make its final stop in Wollongong in May, and I implore anyone who is tossing up on going to do it. The spirit of Aardman’s animation is clear in the show, and any fans of the original Shaun The Sheep franchise will be amazed at how the beloved characters are brought to life.
For tickets and more information, visit shaunthesheepcircus.com.au
