The Flying Fruit Fly Circus
| Company type | Non-profit organisation |
|---|---|
| Industry | Circus, Performing arts education |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Robert "Bomber" Perrier and graduates of Victorian College of the Arts Drama School |
| Headquarters | Albury-Wodonga , Australia |
Area served | Australia and international |
| Products | Circus performances, circus training and education |
The Flying Fruit Fly Circus stands as Australia's premier national youth circus and is uniquely recognized as the sole full-time circus training institution for young individuals within the nation.
History
The Flying Fruit Fly Circus traces its roots back to the Murray River Performing Group, established in 1979 by graduates from the Victorian College of the Arts Drama School, including Robert "Bomber" Perrier, who served as its inaugural artistic director. Within a few months, the ensemble organized workshops, performances, and training programs, quickly growing to encompass over 117 participants.
In 1980, Canadian playwright Chris Brookes played a key role in enabling the Circus to take part in the Vancouver Children's Festival held in 1981. Among its distinguished performers, Tanya Lester earned a Gold Medallion at Le Cirque de Demain in Paris and was honored as Young Australian of the Year in 1982.
A pivotal moment occurred in 1982 when the Nanjing Acrobatic Troupe collaborated with the Flying Fruit Fly Circus and other artists in Albury-Wodonga, culminating in the creation of The Great Leap Forward. Two years later, Perrier accepted the BHP Pursuit of Excellence Award for Arts and Literature on behalf of the company.
The troupe represented Australia during Australia Week in Veneto, Italy (1989–90) and was awarded the Ros Bower Award recognizing Outstanding Contribution to Community Arts. Following a sold-out season of Red Alert at the 1993 Sydney Festival, the Circus toured Brisbane, Gippsland, and Melbourne. Their performances extended to major events such as Melbourne Summer Live and Moomba in 1997. In 1999, management of its Circus Festival transitioned from Tasmania to Albury-Wodonga.
In 2004, the company produced Skipping on Stars, a tribute to tightrope artist Con Colleano. Marking its 30th anniversary in 2009, Flying Fruit Fly Circus presented The Promise at both the Sydney Festival and in Albury; that same year, a government grant amounting to $3.75 million was secured to upgrade its training facilities.
Between 2010 and 2011, the Circus collaborated with Albury City on Step Right Up! The Circus in Australian Art, a nationally touring exhibition featuring circus-themed artworks by Australian artists. In 2015, it became a resident company at the Sydney Opera House through a three-year agreement and initiated an international partnership with Hanoi’s Vietnam School of Circus Arts and Vaudeville. Additionally, it performed in Istanbul as part of the Australia in Turkey Festival.
Description
Situated along the Murray River within the twin cities of Albury-Wodonga on the border between Victoria and New South Wales, The Flying Fruit Fly Circus operates in conjunction with the Victorian Department of Education. Students from years 3 through 9 enroll in the selective-entry Flying Fruit Fly Circus School, where they integrate academic coursework with specialized circus instruction. This institution remains Australia's only full-time circus school catering to youths aged 8 to 19.
The company regularly showcases its performances both domestically across Australia and internationally at prominent arts venues, regional theatres, corporate functions, and festivals.
Recognized as one of eight "national elite training organisations" within the framework of the "Australian Roundtable for Arts Training Excellence" (ARTS8), it benefits from partial financial support provided by the Australian Government through the Office for the Arts.
Awards and nominations
- 1989: Recipient of the Mo Award for Circus Performer of the Year
- 2009: Honored with the Helpmann Award for Best Presentation for Children for The Promise
- 2014: Nominated for the Sydney Theatre Award in the category of Best Production for Children for Circus Under My Bed
- 2018: Awarded the Sydney Theatre Award for Best Production for Children with JUNK
See also
External links
- Flying Fruit Fly Circus Collection, Performing Arts Collection, Melbourne