Wolf

„We’ve never made a show for the Chamäleon this big. A show that is as resolutely us as possible” – Yaron Lifschitz, Artistic Director of Circa

Get ready for a wild ride as the award-winning Circa ensemble returns to the Chamäleon stage with the world premiere of Wolf. A special creation for our 20th Anniversary season, Wolf investigates humanity’s primal nature in intense choreographies set to the stunning compositions of Ori Lichtik.

At the beginning, we delve into the wildness within ourselves. The ensemble splits into smaller groups and creates powerful sequences of acrobatics and dance that evoke images of identity, freedom, rage and passion. What lurks in the dark woods of our inner self and in the dark woods of others?

Then comes the second half, where the whole ensemble takes the stage by storm. You’ll feel the energy swing from frenzied to sensual, as the ten acrobats transform into a whirlwind of movement, caught between animal instincts and human emotions.

Wolf is Circa’s latest work and will premiere at the Chamäleon in September 2024: A breathtaking tribute to humanity’s complexity, our potential for change and the transformative power of circus.

Click here for a look inside the rehearsal room.

Age recommendation: 12+
Language: nonverbal

Credits

Produced by Circa
Co-Produced by Chamäleon Berlin

Directed by
Yaron Lifschitz
Music: Ori Lichtik
Light: Alex Berlage
Costumes: Libby McDonnell

Title Image: Brennanspark Photography
Rehearsal Photos:
Lucia Gerhardt

Further supported by:

Circa acknowledges the assistance of the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Co-Produced by La Comete.

In the press

The List

Rockstars of the Circus World

The Age

redraws the limits to which circus can aspire

New York Times

astonishing physical mastery

About the company

Circa Contemporary Circus is one of the world’s leading performance companies. Since 2004, from its base in Brisbane, Australia, Circa has toured the world – performing in 45+ countries to nearly 2 million people. Circa’s works have been greeted with standing ovations, rave reviews and sold-out houses across six continents.

Circa is at the forefront of the new wave of contemporary Australian circus – pioneering how extreme physicality can create powerful and moving performances. It continues to push the boundaries of the art form, blurring the lines between movement, dance, theatre and circus. Compelled by the question ‘what is possible in circus?’ Circa is leading the way with a diverse range of thrilling creations that ‘redraw the limits to which circus can aspire.’ (The Age).

Under the direction of circus visionary Yaron Lifschitz, Circa features an ensemble of exceptional, multi-skilled circus artists who have been a regular fixture at leading festivals and venues in New York, London, Berlin and Montreal with seasons at Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Barbican Centre, Les Nuits de Fourvière, Chamäleon Theatre as well as major Australian Festivals.

    Jon Bonaventura

    Acrobat (he/him)

    Jon Bonaventura
    Acrobat (he/him)

    Discovered on a friend’s trampoline in Melbourne, Jon caught his big break at the age of 12, working as a stunt double for Warner Brothers Where The Wild Things Are. After over a decade in gymnastics, Jon went on to study at the National Institute of Circus Arts, specialising in rope.

    Jon graduated in 2014 and began touring independent projects around Australia before performing internationally with some of the country’s best circus companies – Circa, Casus and Circus Oz. Jon can be found hiding in a cafe, hanging from his rope or standing on people all around the world.

    Holly-Rose Boyer

    Acrobat (she/her)

    Holly-Rose Boyer
    Acrobat (she/her)

    Growing up in Albury, Holly-Rose was introduced to dance at the age of two and fell in love with all things performing after joining her local cheer and dance studio. In 2014, Holly-Rose auditioned for a place in the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, where she trained in handstands, hand to hand, aerial straps and tumbling under the mentorship of Loic Marques and Nick Hutchinson.

    During her time at the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, Holly-Rose toured JUNK both in Australia and internationally. She also took part in Sydney Festival’s Nanjing Project, while travelling to Melbourne most weekends for additional dance training and performances. Graduating in 2021, Holly-Rose packed her life into two suitcases and moved to Brisbane to start the next chapter with Circa.

    Outside of circus, Holly-Rose loves swimming at the beach and dogs, especially pugs

    Helga Ehrenbusch

    Acrobat (she/her)

    Helga Ehrenbusch
    Acrobat (she/her)

    Helga is an acrobat, a base in partner acrobatics and an acro dancer. Helga started her circus career at the age of 6 in the circus school OMAtsrikus located in Tallinn. In parallel with circus training, she also did gymnastics classes in Acrobatic Gymnastics. She started competing internationally representing the Estonian national team at 13.

    With the first COVID wave, Helga stopped doing competitive gymnastics, sticking with circus and started exploring different performing arts fields joining the Estonian Dance Agency Company and studying drama at Tallinn 32. Secondary School. After graduating she realised that Estonia would be too small for her big dreams so she packed her stuff and left home to study Circus Arts in London at the National Centre for Circus Arts. This whole journey has led her to Circa where new adventures began.

    Scott Grove

    Acrobat (he/him)

    Scott Grove
    Acrobat (he/him)

    Scott Grove has been performing professionally as an acrobat since he was 15. He spent 14 years as a performer and co-director of The Leaping Loonies and joined the Circa ensemble in 2010, performing in a variety of Circa’s productions over many years. Some highlights are collaborating with The Debussy Quartet in “Opus” and having the opportunity to create different shows and tour them around the world. Scott has performed at the Chamäleon for multiple seasons and is looking foward to returning.

    Off stage he spends most of his time hanging with his family in the Northern Rivers, playing music and eating large quantities of food.

    Sam Letch
    Sam Letch

    Acrobat (he/him)

    Sam Letch
    Sam Letch
    Acrobat (he/him)

    Instead of paying attention at school, Sam focused all of his energy on throwing himself around in the cold and rainy north west of England, where he grew up.

    At the ripe old age of 15, Sam decided that doing back tucks off sand dunes wasn’t enough. The answer to his problem: Parkour.

    He trained for 3 years until his acrobatics took him to the National Centre for Circus Arts (London) where he picked up such skills as teeterboard, hand to hand, banquine, floor and group acrobatics. After graduating Sam’s first job performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival lead him on to work with such companies as Cirque Eloize.

    Sam’s primary love is performing, shortly after that is his moustache, followed by singing musicals at the top of his lungs for anyone who will listen.

    Daniel O’Brien

    Acrobat (he/him)

    Daniel O’Brien
    Acrobat (he/him)

    Daniel O’Brien has been physically active throughout his whole life, primarily focusing on his gymnastics training in his hometown of Maryborough and a few small gyms along the Queensland coastline. After high school, Daniel made a decision to transition from the sport of gymnastics to a possible career in circus performance.

    Daniel decided to move to Melbourne and studied at the National Institute of Circus Arts, specialising in hand-balancing and aerial straps, where he gained his first experiences as a performer.

    He spends his spare time feeding his unhealthy addiction to video games or reading whatever he can get his hands on. After attending NICA for three years, Daniel fostered an immense passion for circus and honed his skills to a level that allowed him to join Circa as an ensemble member in 2015. He has since performed in the many iconic Circa works including What Will Have Been, Closer and Humans.

    Shani Stephens

    Acrobat (she/her)

    Shani Stephens
    Acrobat (she/her)

    Shani discovered her passion for gymnastics at a very young age and dedicated many years to training and competing at a high level. At the age of 13, she made the bold decision to relocate to Albury by herself so that she could attend The Flying Fruit Fly Circus. In 2017, Shani graduated with specialties in hand balancing and acrobatics.

    Following her graduation, she had the incredible opportunity to work and tour with Circus Oz and Gravity & Other Myths. Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of performing at prestigious venues such as The TOHU, the opening of Edinburgh Festival and GREC Theatre in Barcelona.
    As an acrobat, she takes pride in her versatility within an ensemble and she is dedicated to continuously honing her craft and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world of acrobatics.

    Luke Thomas

    Acrobat (he/him)

    Luke Thomas
    Acrobat (he/him)

    As a child, Luke was always driven to pursue an acrobatic career, constantly upside down and swinging on the hills hoist in his backyard. At age 11, he joined Circus 35° South, and trained aerials, tumbling and manipulation for seven years before studying at the National Institute of Circus Arts, graduating in 2017.

    During his study, Luke specialised in tissue, foot juggling and group acrobatics. Luke co-created and performed Out of This World Children’s Show, which had performance highlights including seasons at Woodford Folk Festival and Melbourne Fringe Festival, and also performed in One Fell Swoop’s By a Thread in seasons at Mullumbimby Circus Festival, Perth Fringe Festival, Adelaide Fringe Festival and the Circa Festival at Auch, France.

    Luke joined the Circa Ensemble in 2018, and co-conceived and performed in the world premiere of Peepshow.

    Georgia Webb

    Acrobat (she/her)

    Georgia Webb
    Acrobat (she/her)

    Born and raised in outback Western Australia, Georgia was a fully committed competitive gymnast and dancer for 13 years. This background gave her the discipline and work ethic which now informs her circus practice.

    After both parents insisted that their only child joined the military, Georgia decided to forgo those plans to follow her own dream of running away with the circus. Graduating from the National Institute of Circus Arts in 2019, Georgia joined Circa as a full-time ensemble member in January 2020.

    In her spare time Georgia enjoys motorbike riding, surfing and free driving. She also one day hopes to travel the world skydiving.

    Christina Zauner

    Acrobat (she/her)

    Christina Zauner
    Acrobat (she/her)

    Christina grew up on the country side in Austria. She started dancing when she was four years old, and participated at her first competition at the age of six. Christina graduated with a Bachelor in Classical and Contemporary Dance at MUK Vienna. During her education she started to train aerials and vertical dance.

    After graduating, she worked at the Vienna State Opera as an Aerial Double, followed by a role in the musical Cats in Switzerland. Christina worked with the Irish Company Fidget Feet and as a performer and Choreographer at Krystallpalast Varieté Leipzig.

    Christina found her way into the circus world as a self-taught Aerialist, specialized in Straps. At the age of 24, she started to enjoy to climb on people or have them climb on her. A very determined person, Christina loves to challenge herself and explore what her body is capable of. She also plays accordion and loves to design and sew costumes.

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