Conceived and Directed by Joseph Ashton.
Gungahlin ACT – April 11th – May 3, 2025.
Performance on April 13th reviewed by BILL
STEPHENS.
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| Dante Ashton & Jansen Grant full flight on the Flying Trapeze. |
It’s billed as an 'adults only' show, but that has more to do with liquor laws than the performance content. There are certainly risqué moments, but don’t be put off by the possibility of spotting a penis. You cannot always believe what you see.
“Infamous” is the brainchild of Joseph Ashton, a sixth
generation Ashton, and patriarch of the famous Ashton circus family which has
been presenting circuses around Australia for 180 years.
Following the trend towards circuses no longer featuring
animals, and the growing appetite for virtuosic physical theatre usually
presented in intimate spiegeltents, Joe decided to embrace the trend and create
his own spiegeltent-style show.
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| Jansen Grant on the Wheel of Death |
But there was a problem. Joe Ashton has a particular affection for large apparatus circus acts particularly the flying trapeze and the ominously named Wheel of Death. Joe is master of both, and these acts would never fit into even the largest spiegeltent.
Joe decided to design his own tent and replace
his animals with glamorous dancers to support his world-class acrobats and aerialists,
and create a new format aimed at an adult audience and “Infamous” was born.
The “Infamous” tent itself is part of the experience. Embracing
the latest in circus tent design technology, the “Infamous” tent is fully
air-conditioned, with a foyer featuring a fully
licenced bar serving wine and spirits (hence the “adult” label. Another bar offers
non-alcoholic beverages as well as hot and cold snacks, and for those wishing
to satisfy their inner urge to run away with the circus, there’s a well-stocked
merchandise stall offering everything necessary.
Comfortable tables and stools allow patrons to chill out with
friends and soak up the atmosphere before moving into the main performance
area.
Once inside, neon-outlined arches replace the familiar
spiegeltent mirrors to create an intimate atmosphere for the rows of
comfortable chairs arranged around raked flooring which provides excellent views
of the central performance area. Patrons seeking an even more deluxe experience
can book individual tables and chairs ringside.
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| Dancye Rae in "Infamous" |
From the moment guests enter the main auditorium, clowns, glamorously costumed dancers, sensational Marilyn Monroe look-alike, Dancye Rae, and vocalist Tomi Gray, vie for their attention until showtime, which begins with a parade by the performers to introduce the Wheel of Death.
This terrifying apparatus is manipulated by Kyle Wishart, while Jansen Grant performs a series of heart-stopping manoeuvres both inside and out of the apparatus. Then follows a succession of outstanding circus acts sourced from around the world, among which a duo performed an extraordinary aerial bungee act, then later a sensuous slow-motion adagio in a bathtub.
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| Dante Ashton & Mimi Lenoire in "Infamous" |
Generations of the Ashton family are well-represented in all
aspects of this family-run circus including aerialist star Dante Ashton, who dazzles
with her solo aerial act, is joined by Mimi
Lenoire for a duo-trapeze routine, and for the finale, by her mother Bekki
Ashton, and her aunt, Michelle Ashton-Jarman, for their high-flying trapeze
act.
Between the various circus acts, clowns and troupes of trim,
taut and terrific dancers, both male and female, keep the audience entertained
with provocatively choregraphed routines.
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| Pole Dancer Mimi Lenoire in "Infamous" |
As is circus tradition, following the high-flying grand finale, the whole cast parade again to acknowledge the enthusiastic applause, leading to another tradition that is new and unique to “Infamous”, an invitation for audience members to meet and be photographed with the cast of the show at the end of the performance.
Images provided.
This review also published in AUSTRALIAN ARTS REVIEW. www.artsreview.com.au
