A circus might seem an unusual way to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing.
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But that's what The Works' Cirque Stratosphere, which is having its world premiere season in Canberra, was intended to do.
Director Neil Dorward said he and the producers wanted to create "a more futuristic and modern" experience after the deliberately old-fashioned previous creation, Circus 1903. That show was also developed in Canberra, three years ago, and has toured around the world.
Dorward said the moon landing and space provided inspiration for the structure of the show, with the second act based on the lunar journey.
Nineteen acts from 17 countries - including China, Russia and Australia - have been assembled. One of them, Submergence, has two performers dive, jump, twist and somersault through and over hoops stacked higher and higher.
Another act, Oleg Spigin's The Orbiter, on a Washington trapeze, combined aerial work and balancing and was "highly dangerous", Dorward said.
Melbourne-based Tim Lawson said he had spent 12 years working with co-producer Simon Painter to present international circus shows. The Works was acquired by Cirque du Soleil earlier this year but, apart from sharing some performers, this hadn't had a major impact on them, Lawson said.
Lawson said Canberra "played a very important part" in the creation of this and two of their previous shows, providing high-quality space, facilities and personnel to help ensure the productions were in the best possible shape before they toured around Australia and internationally.
Dorward said having the circus in concert halls and theatres rather than a tent allowed for more intimacy as the audience were closer to the performers.
Cirque Stratosphere took 12 months to create, he said but was not just about space and spectacle.
"There's great comedy in the show," he said.
"We have two American comedy hosts - they talk a bit but there's a lot of physical comedy."
- Cirque Stratosphere is on at the Canberra Theatre until December 21 except for December 14 and 16. canberratheatrecentre.com.au or 6275 2700.