Tom Tom Crew's Acrobatic Hip Hop Set To Mesmerise Melbourne

06-Oct-2011 PRESENTED BY MELBOURNE FESTIVAL AND STRUT & FRET PRODUCTION HOUSE
TOM TOM CREW (Australia)

Having thrilled US and Europe audiences with their unique blend of urban acrobatics, phenomenal beat-boxing, master scratching and indescribable drumming displays, Tom Tom Crew come home to Australia for their Melbourne debut.

“A raucous good time, no ordinary circus outing…impressive, mesmerizing, infectious.” Time Out, New York

From the first bass drum kick to the hair-raising, acrobatic finale, Tom Tom Crew deliver a show that is utterly mesmerising. The hard hitting energy of hip-hop meets the raw physicality of acrobatics in a mash-up of gravity-defying manoeuvres, beat-boxing and breakdancing.

This exhilarating fusion of circus and street skills is overseen by ringmaster Ben Walsh, a world-renowned percussionist who provides the driving beat behind the heart-stopping acrobatics. Joining him in the mix is beat-boxing wizz kid Tom Thum. This prodigy can conjure entire orchestras from his throat alone, transforming his vocal chords into the chanting of Tibetan monks, Dizzy Gillespie’s trumpet or a Michael Jackson medley with full instrumentation.

Graduates of Australia’s famous Flying Fruit Circus, Shane Witt, Ben Lewis, Daniel Catlow and David Carberry, along with some of the country’s freshest circus talent - Jamie McDowell and Mali De Goey - make up the ensemble of this circus show for the 21st Century. They will fly, flip, leap and slam up the stage alongside the boys with the beat – a spectacle with heart-pumping music for kids and adults alike.

 Since thundering onto stages in 2006, Tom Tom Crew has continuously travelled the globe for five years, charming audiences in Europe, Asia, the USA and Australia. Creative director, Scott Maidment has directed physical theatre, outdoor spectacle and cabaret including the recently seen Cantina at The Speigeltent.

“An urban, streetwise version of Cirque du Soleil.” The Guardian (UK)

Venue: Forum Theatre, upstairs
Dates: Tue 4 – Sun 23 Oct at 8pm
Sun 9, Sun16 & Sun 23 Oct at 5pm
No performance Mon
Duration: 1hr 15min no interval
Tickets: Priced from $25 - $48
Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 723 038 / melbournefestival.com.au

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