The Shuffle Club presents St Kilda Royale 

By Jessica Gittel Cornish

Inspired by the European cabaret halls of the 1800’s and 1900’s the Memo Music Hall opened it’s doors to showcase the youthful neo-circus production, St Kilda Royale. The heart and soul of the night was led by the energetic four-piece jazz and swing band, The Shuffle Club. The players were professional, talented and kept the momentum of the show pulsing forward throughout the night. Weaving in and out of the musical tunes were your favourite contemporary circus numbers including acro balance, juggling, hula hoops and a splash of modern burlesque.

The thing I love about circus is that there’s such a thin line between amazement and catastrophe. Performers hold the audience captivated in the moment, and have them wondering if such a stunt can be pulled off? In most cases this was the case at St Kilda Royale, but things didn’t always go to plan. A stray juggling ball and a couple run away hula hoops flung into the crowd, but it just added to the fun and the excitement of the live performance.

My favourite act of the night was hands down a percussive juggling piece starring Joe Fisher and Shuffle Club front man who pumped out snappy beats on his mini drum kit. The duo successfully created a visually and musically engaging number. Followed closely by a romantic, fire eating, slash throwing number – again something I often didn’t see in my circus going days.

The transitions between items were smooth and the lighting design was basic, but effective. The performance was raw and brilliantly rough around the edges, and the night was filled with energy and fun that left the audience in high spirits. The cast have great potential and I hope to see them back on the stage again very soon!

St Kilda Royale was performed at Memo Music Hall 4 – 8 July. See their website for more information about the production.