Photos - Prudence UptonThe Flying Fruit Fly Circus is, of course, a phenomenon. Who would've thought anything culturally substantial would come from Albury-Wodonga, a picturesque, but otherwise undistinguished bordertown (even if it was, at one time, mooted as our national capital)? This isn't to thumb my nose at regional centres; rather, in recognition of the often paltry resources available, especially to young people, as compared to their urban counterparts. In other words, it's the sheer improbability of a world-class youth act emanating from such a place that makes it all the more remarkable.
The FFFC comprises 21 artists under the artistic directorship of Mark Michalowski, a phenomenon in himself. Co-founder of Familie Floz, almost indisputably Germany's benchmark in mask theatre and with a giant-slaying resume as long as your stilts, God only knows how we managed to lure him to Albury, but what a coup!
Team such a luminary with the likes of award-winning writer-director Sally Richardson and you're off to a flying start, this time with The Promise, 'a celebration of love, loss and life'. All of that and more comes to fruition: while celebration of acrobatic, dance, characterisation and puppeteering skills is interpolated at every turn, it's done in a very deft way, which enhances, rather than sacrifices, the narrative. In fact, Richardson shows herself to be a master (mistress?) storyteller and one who knows just how to play both ends of the audience, from rugrats to seniors. Special mention should be made of associate director and choreographer Jodie Farrugia, too, who has overlayed some distinct delights, such as an exotic, spicy Bollywood sequence.
Essentially, The Promise is a homespun yarn about farm boy, Felix, who gets a magical book, of the same name, for his 10th birthday. Poor Felix then, tragically, experiences the broken promise of enduring fatherhood, when his dad perishes in a bushfire. It's all very topical, very Australian, very heroic. Next thing we & he knows, he's left the fire behind & landed in the big smoke.
Both these &, indeed, all scenes benefit from Rich Jeziorny's mindblowingly good production design. Sets not only look the part, drawing you right into the tale, but move on & off effortlessly; indeed, changes are effected with almost filmic seamlessness. His brave tinkering with scale & use of miniatures, an experiment which could, so easily, have blown-up in his face, works a treat.
Phil Lethlean's lighting design leaves nothing to be desired, either: one can almost feel the searing heat of the fire, for example.
Another not-quite-backstage genius is sound designer and composer Steph O'Hara, who plays live keyboards, violin and other instruments, as well as cuing programmed sequences. He's kept it lively, challenging & interesting, while never intruding: classical, gypsy, tango, and more, are standout; he evokes the circus with profound redolence.
But back to the story. Felix consoles himself with his book, living as much in that world as the one he must confront. This is brilliant: it says to kids yes, bad things can & do happen, it's hard to overcome such obstacles, but you can, will & must. It's not a story of impossibly idyllic childhood, nor one of archaic, Dickensian intensity, but one of palpable, tangible, here-and-now reality, as many experience it. And there's nothing wrong with escaping into a comfort-zone occasionally, either.
Beyond the affirmative messages, The Promise consolidates a long tradition of toy stories, where a young person's play things come to life and a fantastic adventure unfolds. At every twist & turn in the tale, the creative team buoys the very considerable, trained talents of the 21 young artistes, as they dance, prance, bound, flip, flop, fly & act out the narrative arc. Each is an inspiration, in terms of what anyone can aspire to & attain.
It's all so effective, age becomes immaterial: my adult companion and I, in our childlessness, weren't in the slightest compromised in thorough enjoyment; such is the calibre of this production. And, let's face it, it's not every show that makes you want to run away & join the circus!
Since almost every scene proves utterly ingenious, inventive and delightful, it's almost totally arbitrary to single out the sea voyages and the way these are staged: with warm, innocent humour and a kind of unabashed fakery which is completely convincing. Again, sets, props, lighting, costumery - all aspects of design and delivery - are veritable works of art. No stone has been unturned in staging this acme of children's theatre; no detail overlooked. Heartrending; charming; sensationally good! No wonder, apart from all its other successes and breakthroughs, the Flying Fruits enjoyed a 5-week sellout season on Broadway.
If I ever have kids, I'm moving to Albury!
2009 Sydney Festival
The Promise
The Flying Fruit Fly Circus
Venue: Riverside Theatre
Dates/Times: January 28-31 at 7pm, January 30 at 11am, January 31 at 2pm
Duration: 1hr 40mins, including interval
Prices: $25
Bookings: Riverside Theatres 02 8839 3399 | Ticketek 1300 888 412