Imogen’s acrobatic style is breathtaking. /DOUG KRETCHMER
If you’re heading toward Old Market Square – the heart of the Fringe Festival – and you hear Kiwi accents, it’s probably the “The Biggest Little Circus”. Imogen, Degge, and Zane are New Zealanders who have been performing together for nearly three years now. You can’t miss their neon pink leopard skin lycra and lime green singlets.
They also have the Fringe patter down pat. You can expect the usual risqué jokes and silliness all delivered with good humour and lots of audience participation!
The Biggest Little Circus performs at Old Market Square. /DOUG KRETCHMER
Like me, you may have seen aerial and fire performers at past Fringe shows but this troupe really turns up the energy – as well as the danger. Yes, they can juggle well, toss flaming fire torches, and do everything at the same time, but it’s their aerial skills that are really outstanding.
The rig used is 6 metres tall. /DOUG KRETCHMER
Their huge rig or apparatus stands 6 metres or, for us Canadians, 19’8″ tall and is the centre of their act. Imogen climbs up and down the ropes as easily as a sloth. She performs intricate aerial ballet moves gracefully no matter how high off the ground she is.
The two guys, Degge and Zane, aren’t quite as graceful at ropework, but hey – they can juggle flaming torches while 19 feet off the ground. Nineteen feet off the ground with no safety net! What could possess someone to consider this as a career?
“I’ve been doing gymnastic dance and ballet since I was a kid and aerial dance since I was 10,” says Imogen.
The audience doesn’t have to worry too much about their safety when they’re at the top of their rig.
“We had the rig designed by an architect and custom-built,” says Degge. “There was a lot of back and forth before we came up with the final design.”
This is The Biggest Little Circus’ first international tour and their first time in Canada. All three are enjoying the Festival.
“It’s great,” says Imogen. “I love that there’s a centre to the Fringe here. It’s like there’s a free festival inside the festival.”
“Come on down and check out our act,” adds Zane. “You’ll have a great time.”
“The Biggest Little Circus” will be performing twice daily as part of the free programming at Old Market Square.
Great story Anne. Love how you described their show. They really put on an amazing show.