Le Aerial, at Arts Centre Melbourne and touring

Impressive aerial acrobatics, slick dance moves and mellifluous musicality.  

That is the compelling menu over 70 minutes in a show that combines the best of three disciplines over more than a dozen acts.

And, to put it in good old Aussie parlance, it is a little ripper.

First off, the athleticism is extraordinary.

I speak of a trio of women, beautifully attired in white, red and black outfits (add the diamantes), flying high on apparatus including straps, slings, chains, silks and net.

Individually and collectively, they are strong and limber, twisting and turning their bodies, linking arms and legs, clambering and dropping in tandem.

Olivia Baker, Lauren Bird and Natalie Bond are fine exponents of their art, not missing a beat.

In term of aerial artistry, there is none better than Joao Godinho, whose work on the straps and trapeze is at another level.

With a rig to die for, he is fresh off winning gold at prestigious cirque festivals in Russia and Chile.

He contorts his body effortlessly, fluidity of movement being his driving force.

From Dancing with the Stars come the fast moves of Australian Latin champions Craig Monley and Sriana Argaet.

She is dressed to the nines, as their rumba and paso doble are among the many highlights of this captivating show.

Carla Papa Centofanti’s dance choreography is superb.

Underpinning it all is the phenomenal vocalisation of Mark Oates and Stephen Mahy.

Oates has an operatic and musical theatre background, while Mahy is also drawn from musical theatre. At one point in Le Aerial, he also lifts off.

While the aerialists are flying high and the dancers take to the floor, Oates and Mahy are performing some of the classics.

For starters, think Come Fly With Me, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and Everybody Wants to Rule the World.

And when they are not on stage, solo or as a duet, up tempo backing tracks maintain the electric vibe.

I saw Le Aerial at Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre Melbourne and I have never felt as close as this to circus acts.

You are literally on top of the action and the atmospherics are wonderful.

Directed by Craig Hryhorec, this is a highly entertaining, engaging and dynamic show, which moves along at pace and rightfully generates widespread applause.

Watch out for the next performances on the Le Aerial calendar by clicking onto https://www.leaerial.com