Fijian Flying Circus | VOU & Cluster Arts
Images: Aaron Walker Photography
From the moment you enter the tent to cries of “Bula!” from the performers decked out in traditional Fijian dress welcoming you inside, it's clear this isn't going to be your run-of-the-mill circus. There's a warmth and generosity to the greeting that sets the tone for everything that follows. And with a cast this skilled and playful, I couldn’t help but be swept up in the journey they took me on.
Created by Fijian performing arts company VOU, Fijian Flying Circus has its Queensland premiere in this years Brisbane Festival. The show mixes circus, Fijian folklore, dance and music and follows Loma, a young girl trying to recover an enchanted shoe stolen by a mischievous veli, or forest spirit. Along the way, she encounters giants, elemental creatures and a cast who seem to be having almost as much fun as the audience.
Mixing circus with cultural dance and tradition isn’t a new idea, but when done well, it can be incredibly effective. VOU use the additional dimension provided by circus appartuses like tissu, Chinese pole and trapeze to bring the myths and legends to life. Performers grow into giants, fly over the audience, and climb out of books, as Loma tries to track down her stolen shoes, all the while dazzling with a broad range of circus skills.
When done well, imbuing circus with culture and storytelling can lift the work to the next level. Fijian Flying Circus does this and so much more. The combination of Fijian mythology, beautiful harmonies, synchronised dance and circus gives the production an identity beyond the usual parade of impressive tricks.
Images: Aaron Walker Photography
One of the show's most memorable acts involves a performer suspended by a hook attached to her hair. It's difficult to watch without instinctively reaching for your own scalp. She spins and glides above the stage with remarkable control, turning what initially looks both painful and impossible into something unexpectedly graceful. Loma takes to the air suspended by her hair, spinning and gliding above the stage while soulful music plays. It's beautiful, unsettling and one of those circus acts that’s both awe-inspiring and nerve-wracking in the best ways.
Another highlight comes from Malakai Tuima as the cloud deity O. Suspended from a white aerial hook, Tuima rises above the audience and spin and glide through the space. Accompanied by the sound of rain, the sequence provides a great contrast to the louder, more energetic sections.
One of my other favourite moments was drumming jam performer by the troupe. Performers stomped, danced and hammered away at wooden drums while climbing on top of one another, nerve once losing the rhythm. It's was a terrific example of how the production combined physical performance with Fijian traditions. The synchronised dancing is equally effective, with the tightly coordinated movements showcasing the incredible skills and physicality of the performers.
The music deserves a mention of its own. The cast open with rich, resonant multi-part harmonies that immediately establish a different atmosphere from the usual circus soundtrack. Their voices have a warmth that carries through the show, giving the show and the storytelling an emotional connection that makes it stand apart from your typical circus fare.
Images: Aaron Walker Photography
Beyond the circus arts, the company fill the show with several superb dance pieces. Synchronised stomping, sharp rhythmic movements and tightly coordinated ensemble work bring a real sense of shared energy to the stage. The performers seem completely at home with one another, and their joy while performing is infectious.
That playfulness extends to the audience. A performer with a whistle and drum conducts a call-and-response, dividing the crowd into sections and getting everyone clapping along. It's a typical model for audience participation, but the cast's cheeky approach makes it infectious and memorable.
Fijian Flying Circus is a joyful, energetic celebration of Fiji that mixes traditional storytelling, music and dance with some seriously impressive circus skills.Its best moments come when the cast bring their personality and culture to the performance — whether through beautiful harmonies, tightly synchronised dancing or aerial acts that have you holding your breath. This isn't about outdoing the spectacle of Cirque du Soleil or throwing ever-bigger tricks at the audience. It's about showing what circus can be when culture, humour and storytelling are at its heart. The result is a show for the whole family with genuine warmth and identity, and a cast whose infectious energy stays with you long after the final “Bula!”
Fijian Flying Circus plays under the big top at Southbank Piazza from 4 September to 4 October 2026 as part of the 2026 Brisbane Festival.
Images: Aaron Walker Photography
