3 days ago
Flying Fruit Fly Circus expands into state-of-the-art Melbourne hub
A regional circus school will expand into Melbourne to offer more opportunities for performers across the country.
After a tender process announced late last year, the Albury-based Flying Fruit Fly Circus has been awarded the head tenancy of a Victorian government-owned creative space to be located in Collingwood Yards.
The space, which is set to open in October, will be renamed Circus Centre Melbourne and include two large spaces and several multi-purpose rooms for rehearsals and performances.
Circus Oz is a tenant at the venue and new lease arrangements will see it occupy a smaller footprint at the site.
A recruitment process for Melbourne-based staff for the centre is also underway.
Albury circus performer Clancy Rosewarne said the move would give more young people the opportunity to learn physical theatre skills.
"I joined the Flying Fruit Fly Circus when I was three and it's really helped me learn how to work with other people in many ways," he said.
Founded in 1979, the Flying Fruit Fly Circus is the country's only full-time circus school for primary and secondary students.
The company has grown a global reputation for producing exceptional graduates and acclaimed touring productions.
Chief executive Richard Hull said the new space would provide opportunities for the circus and physical theatre sector.
"This has been a rigorous public tender process and I am grateful to the Victorian government for putting its faith in Flying Fruit Fly Circus to re-imagine this stunning venue," he said.
Mr Hull said the Flying Fruit Fly Circus would engage with many bodies in the circus and theatre sector to ensure the vision for the centre was realised.
Artistic director Anni Davey said the facility would seek to attract performers from all over the world.
"I want to see research and development and interesting, intelligent work … people … coming to Melbourne because it is the home of contemporary circus," she said.
"The industry is also growing and there are opportunities, especially in Brisbane [for] the Olympic Games in 2032 and circus will be a strong focus of the cultural activities around those games."
Creative Industries Minister Colin Brooks said the new facility would be "world-class".
"Flying Fruit Fly Circus has led the charge for 45 years and bringing their vision to Melbourne through Circus Centre Melbourne is a great example of how regional arts organisations are major players in our state's creative scene," he said.
Performers Matilda Devine from Sydney and Arabella Renwick from Melbourne have based themselves in Albury to practice their craft in silk performance.
Ms Devine said the Melbourne centre would offer pathways to grow for anyone willing to put the work in.
"If you can't get a job in circus in a specific performance style that you want, you can possibly get other opportunities in Melbourne where you can maybe direct a show or get into teaching," she said.
Ms Renwick said her time in Albury has taught her the value of being an individual performer and hoped the centre would show being part of a company was not essentially for success.
"I feel it's necessary that if you want to get into the arts industry, you should understand that you have a strong base and support from others to do what you want to do in circus, as long as it's safe," she said.
