Cyberpunk circus showdown headed to MECC

Published: 06 Jul 2022

Barbaroi was awarded the Best Circus and Physical Theatre Show of the Adelaide Fringe Festival in 2021.

Next week, Friday, July 15, at 7.30pm, Mackay Festival of Arts audiences will have their chance to witness this cyberpunk circus showdown in the MECC Auditorium.

Inspired by a world of shadows where anything goes, and the gritty underbelly of society, Barbaroi is a blend of high-octane circus, cabaret and physical theatre.

Complemented by finely tuned lighting and special effects, the show will leave audiences of all ages spellbound and wondering on the limits of human abilities.

Acting manager MECC and Events Jemma Carey said Barbaroi was the Greek word for barbarian or outsider.

“There’s no doubt these performers are outsiders – they are outside of anything you’ve seen from a circus before,” Ms Carey said.

“It’s got an industrial, dystopian, cyberpunk feel, and everything has a gritty element of danger and suspense – it’s a really cool show,” she said.

Dubbed “street gladiators of the night” the Barbaroi performers feature six crew members with diverse skillsets:

  • Stan Ricketsoons is an elite gymnast and acrobat
  • Amy Nightingale-Olsen is a professional flyer (she gets tossed in the air by people and lands on them again for a living)
  • Ryan Darwin uses a combination of juggling, rola bola (balance board), aerial ropes, headstands and handstands to present circus at a human level
  • Karina Schiller is an elite gymnast who specialises in the Chinese poles and various acrobatics
  • Jon Allingham specialising in partner acrobatics, hoop diving and Russian bar
  • Byron Hutton has dedicated his life to juggling and stage craft

Tickets to Barbaroi are selling fast. Grab yours today from the Box Office or the MECC website.

Barbaroi is supported by the Victoria Government through Creative Victoria.