During the summer school holiday period from December to January, it is a time for performing arts companies and venues to roll out the red carpet for families looking to engage with new arts experiences and provide unique experiences across the 6ish week period. The team behind The Illusionists and War Horse are heading to The Arts Centre Melbourne’s State Theatre from 4 to 14 January 2024, presenting Circus 1903, hoping to take attendees back to “the Golden Age of circus”, with “spectacular stunts and death-defying acts, the show features majestic elephants which are brought to life by breath-taking puppetry”.
This is not a new work, but will feature a new line-up following its tours around the world. Circus 1903 first debuted at the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne’s Regent Theatre in 2016, and is set to be a homecoming for the production the greater part of a decade since its debut. Viewers can look forward to “daredevil acrobats to mind-boggling contortionists, the captivating Russian Swing to the breath-taking aerial acts”, with hopes it will “surprise and delight audiences of all age”.
Commenting on their new season, Circus 1903 producer Tim Lawson shared:
It is a delight to be collaborating with Arts Centre Melbourne in presenting the world’s best family entertainment for our 10th summer season. From its Melbourne debut at Regent Theatre in 2016, like many of our shows before, Circus 1903 has enjoyed huge international success due to its broad audience appeal, high production values boasting all the thrills and spills of a grand big top circus, set in the comfort of an iconic venue. We can’t wait to introduce our mesmerising headline acts and the heart of Circus 1903 to our fans and new audiences alike.
additionally, Stephen Armstrong, Director of Programming at Arts Centre Melbourne included:
Circus 1903 is an opportunity for Melbourne to see the impossible made real, right in front of your eyes. The incredible craftsmanship that brought the magic of War Horse to the stage is spectacularly recreated with the awes-inspiring elephant puppetry. We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring this spectacle to the State Theatre stage.
Tickets to this production are now on-sale, available via the Arts Centre Melbourne website, priced between $71.00 and $119.00 inclusive, with a range of deals also available.
