Yo Ho Ho and a tumble of fun!
Family friendly showstopper Arr We There Yet!? combines pirate techniques, slapstick acrobatics and audience involvement
Fresh from the high seas of the Brighton Fringe the Jolly Rogers who brought circus smash Elixir to Fringe 2016 return to Edinburgh with a circus caper for all the family. Nominated for Best Children's Show at the Perth Fringe, Brighton Fringe and Adelaide Fringe Arr We There Yet!? is a
soaring and swashbuckling adventure in which three sailors hit the high seas in search of treasure!
What was the inspiration for this performance?
During our time at circus school, the boys talked a lot about making a walk the plank teeterboard act. We always wanted to make a children’s show with great acrobatics for the adults, so we thought why not be pirates?
Is performance still a good space for the public discussion of ideas?
Performance is absolutely a fantastic place for the discussion of ideas. Our show is a kids show as well, and performance is a powerful tool for sparking children’s imagination.
How did you go about gathering the team for it?
We were already a team from our previous show Elixir, which is an adult show. We loved working together on that show and were very inspired to make a kids show.
How did you become interested in making performance?
For me it was break dancing competitions. For the other boys they did circus as kids and were encouraged to create routines and perform for their social circuses.
Is there any particular approach to the making of the show?
We locked ourselves in a room for 2 weeks and rehearsed all day every day. Then we opened for a short season in Melbourne. After that we re-worked the show for another 2 weeks with a director, Jaimie Bretman from the Trash Test Dummies. From there we took the show on a massive Australian and UK tour, constantly improving it on the fly.
Does the show fit with your usual productions?
Yes! Our style is comic acrobatics, and the show is absolutely a comic acrobatic show. Similar in style to our first production Elixir, which was a narrative show as well.
What do you hope that the audience will experience?
An overwhelming sense of joy and laughter! Which so far has happened every show so we are very very happy.
What strategies did you consider towards shaping this audience experience?
Lots of fantastic jokes, amazing tricks and audience interaction! From the beginning the audience is encouraged to make a little noise, then once the adventure starts and the circus action is pumping, they are always raucous.
A scallywag pirate, a muscular sailor and a chef with a seafood allergy make for a hopeless crew, as they fight for the title of Captain aboard the ship. Rebooted and ready to cutlass following directorial input from Jaimie Bretman from Trash Test Dummies this all Australian production is
presented by Melbourne based Head First Acrobats and sees a welcome return to Underbelly's Circus Hub for the talented trio.
More than just jokes, thrills and spills, Melbourne based Head First Acrobats have crafted an engaging and entertaining show. Children and adults alike are encouraged to unleash their inner pirate and revel in the arrrrrrrt of amazing acrobatics and hilarious slapstick comedy to see these acrobatic pirates turn ship-life upside down! Expect flying knives, sea sick spinning and walking a plank that springing pirates higher and higher.
The three members of Head First Acrobats are all graduates of the National Institute of Circus Arts(NICA) in Melbourne Australia. Following sell out runs in Australia, Europe and the UK they are
delighted to return to Edinburgh as pirate performers.
Runner up - Best Childrens show Brighton Fringe 2016
Runner up - Best Childrens show Perth Fringe 2016
Nominated - Overall Best Childrens show Adelaide Fringe 2017
Arr We There Yet!?
Head First Acrobats
Based out of Melbourne, Head First Acrobats
Thomas Gorham - Generalist acrobat with a background in breakdance. Performing washington trapeze, hand balancing, hoop diving, teeterboard and hand to hand (flyer).
Cal Harris - World class street performer turned contemporary circus artist. Rocking stages around the world on the ladder, as well as performing acrobatics, hand balancing, teeterboard and hand to hand (base)
Rowan Thomas = Known worldwide for his unique style on the cyr wheel, as well as his amazing technicality as a cyr artist. Rowan is a mesmerising performer with a natural talent for comedy. A hard working acrobat and clown, Rowan's personality shines vibrantly on stages around the globe.
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