LIFE – IT’S A CIRCUS
Two Performers. Countless Characters. One Wild Ride Through the Human Condition.

Venue: Double Teaching Space, Drama Classroom, Studio, Theatre, Hall

An energetic and thought-provoking theatrical adventure that fuses contemporary circus, physical theatre, clowning, and poetic storytelling. Through acrobatic antics, balancing chairs, lyrical interludes, improvisation, and pure theatrical joy, Life – It’s a Circus invites audiences to reflect on love, trust, fear, resilience, risk, and hope — the many balancing acts of life. A visually striking, emotionally rich, and philosophically playful experience that will leave audiences laughing, wondering, gasping, and inspired.

AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM LINKS

Target Audience: Years 7–12
Supports cross-curricular learning in Drama, HPE, and General Capabilities

The Arts – Drama

Years 7–10 | Strands:

• Developing understanding and practices
  Explore how dramatic action, performance styles (physical theatre, clowning), and expressive skills are used to communicate real-life challenges and emotional journeys.
  ➤ ACADRM043, ACADRM049
• Responding and interpreting
  Analyse how meaning is shaped through action, gesture, movement, and relationships on stage.
  ➤ ACADRR046, ACADRR051

Senior Secondary – Drama (Years 11–12):

• Explore non-realistic performance styles (clowning, physical theatre, poetic monologue)
• Apply dramatic languages and performance-making processes in devised ensemble work
• Reflect on audience engagement and social commentary through live performance

Health and Physical Education (HPE)

Years 7–10 | Personal, Social and Community Health

• Investigate strategies to manage emotional responses, strengthen relationships, and understand consequences
  ➤ ACPPS074, ACPPS093
• Examine how connecting with others through creative performance supports mental and social well-being
  ➤ ACPPS076, ACPPS094

Senior Secondary – Health Studies / Personal Development:

• Investigate themes of identity, risk-taking, resilience, and empathy through metaphor and physical expression
• Understand wellbeing through creative arts, embodiment, and reflection

General Capabilities

Critical and Creative Thinking

• Express complex ideas, feelings, and dilemmas using visual and physical metaphor
• Evaluate the impact of theatrical choices on meaning-making and audience perception

Ethical Understanding

• Explore moral dilemmas and consequences in a performative context
• Engage empathy, reasoning, and imagination to understand different viewpoints

Personal and Social Capability

• Build confidence, resilience, and adaptability
• Understand and manage emotions through embodied learning
• Foster empathy and cooperation through ensemble performance and audience connection

Style and Form

• Physical Theatre – expressive storytelling through body and gesture
• Circus & Comedy – balance, acrobatics, juggling of objects and ideas
• Improvisation & Clowning – spontaneous interaction and direct audience engagement
• Poetry, Song, Dance – emotional texture and narrative layers

Themes and Contexts

• Relationships, Trust, and Friendship – navigating emotional bonds
• Fear, Loss, and Betrayal – explored with theatrical empathy
• Courage and Risk-taking – both literal and metaphorical
• Consequences and Choices – unpacked through dramatic form
• Love, Resilience, and Hope – celebrated in circus metaphors
• Mistakes and Forgiveness – part of the human circus
• Empathy and Imagination – the heart of the performance
• Comic Relief and Truth – using laughter to unlock deeper insight

Performance History

Originally toured to Queensland Primary and Secondary schools through Artslink/Queensland Arts Council (2012–2013) to widespread acclaim. The work has been refined and reinvigorated for modern audiences, with a strong focus on curriculum alignment and deeper audience engagement for Years 7–12. “Life – It’s a Circus” is a powerful and flexible incursion or theatre excursion piece that complements classroom learning and sparks post-show dialogue around life, identity, and resilience – all delivered through the joy and precision of live performance.

Devised by: Allie Wilde and Nick Cilento
Directed by: Allie Wilde and Nick Cilento