The Story Behind Cirquosis: From Nicaragua to Laycock Street Theatre

Some shows come and go. Others stay with you, evolving and growing over the years.

Cirquosis is one of those shows.

The seed for this production was planted many years ago when Roundabout Circus founders, Rachel and Andy, travelled to Nicaragua to work with Performers Without Borders. During their time there, they explored the idea of how modern life can disconnect us from each other and how circus, play and creativity can help bring us back together. Check out a blog written by Rachel at the end of their tour and a video the team made in the first month of the project.

The themes felt important then, but they feel even more relevant now.

When Rachel and Andy returned to Australia, they continued developing the concept, eventually creating one of the earliest Roundabout Circus productions in 2018 at Erina Fair.

That version of the show was particularly significant because it was the first major production performed using Roundabout Circus's own portable aerial rig.

Now, years later, Cirquosis returns for its third incarnation.

This new version has been completely reimagined for a new cast of performers, bringing together a fresh cast of talented artists from within Roundabout's team.

While the heart of the story remains the same, the show has evolved to reflect the world we live in today—one where screens, notifications and digital distractions compete more than ever for our attention.

At its core, Cirquosis asks a simple question:

What happens when we look up?

Through aerials, acrobatics, juggling, dance and physical theatre, audiences are invited on a journey from digital hypnosis back to imagination, movement, connection and play.

This production is also significant for another reason.

For the first time, Roundabout Circus is partnering with Laycock Street Community Theatre as a co-producer, marking an exciting new chapter for both organisations.

Recently, Laycock Street Theatre completed a major upgrade to its aerial rigging infrastructure. Roundabout Circus worked alongside the theatre as local consultants during the design process, helping create a more accessible and versatile aerial system capable of supporting a wider range of professional productions.

The result is a major step forward for performing arts on the Central Coast.

The new rigging opens the door for more touring circus, aerial and physical theatre productions to visit the region, while also providing local artists with access to professional-level infrastructure.

Cirquosis will be the first community production to fully utilise the new system, making the show a celebration not only of creativity and connection, but also of what becomes possible when arts organisations collaborate.

For Rachel and Andy, there is something deeply meaningful about bringing this show to life again.

A concept first explored on the other side of the world, then developed on Roundabout's first aerial rig, is now taking flight on one of the Central Coast's premier stages with the support of a new cast of performers and a newly upgraded theatre.

Third time really is the charm.

We would love you to join us and be part of this milestone moment.

Come and watch our performers break the hypnosis of glowing devices, reconnect through movement and play, and celebrate the power of human connection.

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