Carita Farrer Spencer PESCADO - A Circus Cabaret Fusion Interview

NICA's talented second-year students will have no trouble fishing for compliments when they feature in this quirky aquarium of circus, cabaret and comedy. PESCADO - A Circus Cabaret Fusion will be performed in the National Institute of Circus Arts' intimate studio space from 13 to 16 May 2015.

Co-directed by Australian cabaret and circus mainstays, Hayden Spencer and Carita Farrer Spencer, PESCADO will submerge the audience in a wonderful world of piscean characters, outstanding circus skills and tonguein- gill silliness, all wrapped up in a -Venice Beach' atmosphere.

The directors have plunged their creativity into the underwater theme. 'We have created human characters that are based on elements from the ocean. Think aerial trapeze backing vocalists who strangely resemble both prawns and The Supremes, crab-like strong men, a Walrus-esque ringmaster, and scuba-diving DJs and dancers."

Audiences can expect a brave and edgy performance full of stunning character work, physicalisation, humour and a dynamic array of circus skill performances.

'We have responded to the skill-set of our ensemble and their creative passions and ideas, then we framed a show around that. The result will be a cavalcade of characters, some hilarious and quirky, some dynamic and extreme," said Hayden and Carita.

Twenty multi-talented artists will present high level circus skills including: Tight Wire, Hula Hoops, Acrobatics, Clowning, Aerial Straps, Handstands, Roue Cyr and Tissu along with a good dose of humour, live music and quirk.

PESCADO - A Circus Cabaret Fusion

NICA National Circus Centre, Movement Studio: 39 - 59 Green Street, Prahran
Session dates and times: Dates: 13 - 16 May 2015
Times: Wed - Thurs 7.30pm
Fri 6.00pm & 9.00pm
Sat 1.30pm and 7.30pm (Approx. 70 Minutes)
Tickets: General Admission
Adult $30 / Concession $25 / Child U16 $22
Family (2 adults & 2 children) $85
Family (2 adults & 3 children) $100
Groups (min 10) $24pp
Parental guidance recommended (PG)
Bookings: www.nica.com.au

Interview with Carita Farrer Spencer

Carita is an independent, award-winning theatre, cabaret, singer performer and director whose vast resume includes The Messiah (National Tour and Helpmann Award nomination). Melbourne Theatre Company: Cyrano de Bergerac. Queensland Theatre Company: The Venetian Twins; Proof; A Conversation; and her current Melbourne International Comedy Festival performance Larry Paradiseo & The Fabulous Dame Farrar.


Question: How would you describe PESCADO - A Circus Cabaret Fusion?

Carita Farrer Spencer: It's a heady mix of circus and live music with a format that swings between cabaret, nightclub and traditional circus.


Question: What should audiences expect from PESCADO - A Circus Cabaret Fusion?

Carita Farrer Spencer: A fun eclectic show with extreme characters and never a dull moment.


Question: Why an underwater theme?

Carita Farrer Spencer: We were doing creative development with the students, making characters based on animals and realised that the ocean and the beach are full of inspiration so we ran with that idea…


Question: Can you tell us about the performances incorporated into the production of PESCADO - A Circus Cabaret Fusion?

Carita Farrer Spencer: It really is diverse. Characters range from DJ ScubaDivers to 60's girl group Prawns and Ballet Dancing Manta Rays. There's BMX, Rolla Boller and mini tramp combo's through to Korean Plank & Chinese Pole…and much, much more.


Question: Who will enjoy PESCADO - A Circus Cabaret Fusion?

Carita Farrer Spencer: This is one for the whole family…It's a mixed bag…it has moments of pathos and beauty as well as fun and frivolity. It will suit a mixed audience.

These students are fresh out of 1st year studies so my role is to show them how to tap into ALL of the skills they have as performers. Circus & Cabaret are very popular mediums and artists need to be creative with their skills to make a career out of what they do. My job is to work out who each of them are as artists and give them an understanding of the creative process involved in taking an idea and turning it into a show.


Question: What is it like working with Hayden Spencer?

Carita Farrer Spencer: Well Hayden is my husband and we have worked together for over 20 years as performers, writers, teachers and directors and it's always a joy to get a gig together as our philosophy and approach to our work is the same and our differences complement each other.


Question: What's next for you?

Carita Farrer Spencer: I'm currently performing my new show Larry Paradiseo and The Fabulous Dame Farrar in the Melbourne Comedy Festival. At the end of this I'm off to Central Queensland to adjudicate some Eisteddfods. Then I'll be performing a show called 'Women In Voice" at the Qld Performing Arts Centre and then I do a season of my new show in Brisbane in July, so I'll be getting a lot of lovely Queensland Sunshine…it's great up there in Winter.


Interview by Brooke Hunter