Controlled Falling Project

Controlled Falling Project presents a wonderful blend of physical theatre, acrobatics and elements of contemporary dance.

Performed in The Ringbox at the Adelaide Fringe’s Garden of Unearthly Delights, Controlled Falling Project centres around three men and their professor mentor who subjects them to rigorous ‘experiments’ in balance, timing and rolling, amongst an odd assortment of machines and contraptions. The acrobats are subjected to a series of tests each utilising various props including chairs, wooden blocks and a flexible pole, and with increasing complexity.

A highlight of this performance was performed on a Teeterboard (giant see saw). The masterful skill and timing is perfectly displayed in the whirling motion of flips and jumps as each performer moves from jumping on one end of the board to launch a companion into the air, to being launched high and somersaulting through the air to being ‘landed’ by a companion to prevent a leg breaking decent and jumping off the mat to repeat it all again in motion that is almost too fast to see.

The performance is tinged with light hearted humour with the acrobats competing with each other for attention and playing pranks on each other. The performance is set to various scene setting music that ranges from an old sounding jazz to highly contemporary techno that incorporates various sound elements. A drum kit on staged played by the professor, provides another dimension to the performance.

The control of movement and balance exhibited by the performers is astounding, especially when combined with the fact that one wrong move – which I’m told has never happened – could result in serious injury. These are professionals at work.

At any moment in the various acrobatics, a stumble or a loss of concentration could have caused disaster. The astounding complexity of coordination and physical strength was extremely impressive (particularly to one like myself who is lacking in both) and the precision timing gave Controlled Falling a sharp professionalism. This show is highly entertaining and enjoyable for children and adults alike.

Controlled Falling Project is performed by the members of ThisSideUp Acrobatics. ThisSideUp are a Melbourne based company formed in 2006 by graduates of NICA, James Brown, Casey Douglas and Christian Schooneveld-Reid.

Title: Controlled Falling Project

Venue: The Ringbox – Garden of Unearthly Delights
Dates: March 1st to 13th 8:40pm
Cost: $18/$22