“There aren’t many bands like DOCH,” as their manager CHLOE GOODYEAR tells CHERYL DUNN.

It’s true. Try to name five bands who’ve recently collaborated with circus acts and you’ll likely be scratching your head by the time you get to number two or three. Set to follow the success of Doch and the Great Siberian Circus, Doch and the Circus features an all-Australian bevy of circus acts, a charismatic MC (Doch’s own front man and trumpet player Michael Rogers) and the riveting gypsy sounds of Doch themselves.

Written and directed by Nick Lavers, resident banjo player for the band, and Chloe Goodyear, the show is produced and presented by QPAC. While circus acts accompanied by music might sound a bit like Cirque du Soleil, Goodyear thinks that the music in Doch and the Circus plays a more central role. “Cirque du Soleil use music but it’s more to support the circus. And (in Doch and the Circus) it’s like a huge stage of incredibly talented people sharing time and punctuating and accenting each other’s work. I think that’s why it works so well actually.”

The absence of ego is a crucial element. “There’s a huge amount of respect between the musicians and the circus performers as well. They both think what each other do is quite fantastic,” adds Goodyear. She describes the process of co-ordinating the show as “very collaborative”, explaining that one of the things that the circus enjoy most about working with live musicians is that if they need something that really accentuates a drop or a fall, the band can do that. Likewise the band always get excited when they see what the circus are doing and suggest new ways in which they can work the music to really complement it. “A fair bit of it actually writes itself to be honest,” she says.

She believes that Doch’s music has a circusy feel to it that lends itself to all styles of circus. But this year’s show definitely promises something different, including the Roué Cyr, which appeared for the first time on the world stage just seven short years ago. Derek Llewellin, Australia’s premier Roué Cyr artist will stand inside the circular steel pipe measuring 2.2 meters in diameter and spin and roll it in every conceivable way. “It’s really something else,” says Goodyear of the mesmerising act. But the other performers equally impress her. “They’re all supremely talented,” she says with enthusiasm.

Two hours of death-defying stunts, stunning acrobatics and the energy and electrifying vocals that Doch are known for should provide audiences with a high-energy night of excitement. Goodyear says she sees it as an exuberant, unpretentious show and, of course, a great deal of fun. “We’re very upfront about what it is that we’re trying to do which is just put fantastic artists on the stage and have a really great time, and they’re outstanding artists. QPAC are promoting it as four nights of fantastic family entertainment and that is exactly what it is.”

DOCH AND THE CIRCUS play at the Playhouse, QPAC from Thursday Jan 22 until Saturday Jan 24. Tickets are on sale now through qtix 136 246 or www.qtix.com.au

Comments (1)

Write Comment
Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Poster's IP addresses are logged.
Name:
Comment:
Code:*