Le Coup NNF 2023

Roll up, roll up! The most beloved of all the N&N Festival venues is back in action and it’s time for an AustralianExtravaganza in the form of ‘Le Coup’;the Circus troop with a twist in Chaplefield Gardens! The show was introduced by a formidably lady in red, the ring mistress, aka The Boss and she made no illusion to the fact that this show gets crazy, it gets messy and audience participation is non-negotiable.

Each act was a unique and fresh expression of traditional circus skills blended with a competitive spirit. As a lover of all things circus I witnessed performance of skills that I am familiar with watching, the classics that I know and live such as such as ethereal aerial hoop, terrifying fire swallowing and an awesome display of pure strength on the ropes. However, I wasn’t expecting the whole thing to be backdropped by a surreal honky-tonk live band who performed static and walk-about style as they too competed in the competition for the “winner” of the night. Oh yeah- and there was tap dancing! I’m talking big, powerful tap dancing performed with such vigour and might that I simply became mesmerised by the rhythm!

My favourite acts came later in the show- “Beaver the Diva” spinning Japanese parasols filled with flower petals upside down using only her tippy toes was quite the sight to behold- I was so chuffed nabbed front row seats! “Beaver” and “Frank” performed a duet which involved slicing a lemon in half with a super sharp knife attached to her ponytail spinning furiously. Did I mention the lemon was speared onto a fork which came out of a helmet that Frank was wearing atop his frightened little head?! Frank is no coward though, his character presented as the general helper for all around him but the finale came with his exceptional balancing act- I was absolutely awestruck at the strength, precision and skill he displayed, the cheeky little G-string flash at the end was pretty well received too!

I know it’s cliché to say, but if it’s pure circus joy you are after then this show has got EVERYTHING you want and more. It runs until the 28th May and although the tickets are limited there is still a chance to see this class act and I would strongly encourage you to do so.