Reviews & Testimonials

Reviews

[DiVino]
"Melbourne has witnessed a renaissance in circus performance in the past few years. Most of the credit is due to the National Institute of Circus Arts which, since it opened eight years ago, has attracted the best and brightest emerging talent." 
The Age, Sept 07/07, Cameron Woodhead

[DiVino]
"It's difficult to overstate the revitalising effect in the performance arts of the courses in circus and puppetry that have sprung up in Melbourne in the past few years. And NICA, the National Institute of Circus Arts, has been an enormous ."  
Herald Sun, Sept 14/07, Chris Boyd

[DiVino]
"The entire show was way beyond anything I expected from an institute still very much in its early days. NICA has proven beyond all doubt that there is a future for the circus in this country by boldly tackling a difficult theme successfully."  
Arts Hub, Oct 17/07, Richard Walsh

[DiVino]
"DiVino is NICA's coming of age show, but not for the reason you might expect... What makes the show shine is the seamless way it combines circus, music, theatre and dance to create a poetic, carnivalesque otherworld." 
The Sunday Age, Oct 21/07, Rad Smith

[DiVino]
"DIVino looks and sounds wonderful." 
The Age, Oct 22/07, Cameron Woodhead

[DiVino]
"Circus arts in Australia and NICA in particular seam to keep evolving and progressing where other performance arts have become stalled, DiVino is yet another big step forward for the industry. As they say at the show, DiVino is divino!" 
Artszine #21, Oct 18/07, Rebecca Cook

[DiVino]
"It was so uplifting that it should be compulsory viewing for every Victorian. If other shows could get such a response on a regular basis, Victoria would be at the leading edge because people would flock here to be part of that energy..."
The Age, Dec 19/07, Ted Baillieu

[DiVino]
"The quality and invention of the acts are inspiring, blending romance, comedy and magic."
The Age, Dec 02/06, Hilary Crampton 

[Review for Controlled Falling Project_performed independantly by This Side Up]
"At the start of NICA - the National Institute of Circus Arts... there was a hesitancy within the circus industry about whether you could take in gymnastics and turn out artists and This Side Up proves that it is not only possible but that the modern circus itself is now in for a big leap forward."  
Arts Hub, Oct 01/07, Judith Lanigan

[2006 Circus Showcase]
"As always, the skill level of the performers was impressive... Performance conviction is the magic ingredient that ensures a great audience response, and two of the acts had this in full measure."
The Age, Sept 15/06, Hilary Crampton

[Love Happens]
"...as always, the graduates deliver their daring feats with consummate grace and skill."
The Age, Mar 18/06, Hilary Crampton

[20s05]
"The performers' skills are very impressive... whether balancing in a contorted, one-handed handstand, magically producing parasols from a seemingly empty case, or soaring on the trapeze, their strength and dexterity is admirable."
The Age, Dec 08/05, Chloe Smethurst

[20s05]
"...self confidence, theatrical skill and the ability to emotionally touch the audience..."
Herald Sun, Dec 09/05, Stephanie Glickman

[2005 Circus Showcase]
"...imaginatively choreographed... well-honed performance skills... an exercise in pure beauty... liquid grace... vicarious euphoria... beautifully timed... strong cultural appeal... plenty of klutzy, blokey fun."
The Age, Nov 08/05, Hilary Crampton

[The New Breed]
“The 19 performers are skilful, confident, ebullient and, very obviously, trained to a high standard.”
Sydney Morning Herald, May 07/05, Lenny Anne Low

[The New Breed]
“All of this - under the direction of Rodrigo Matheus and his assistant Carla Candiotto, guests from Brazil – is terrifically entertaining and redolent of the urban jungle... The nation’s physical theatre is in good hands.”
The Australian, May 09/05, Deborah Jones

[The CircaNICA Roadshow]
“Among the 11-strong group are some top-notch performers who will undoubtedly become tomorrow’s circus stars.”
The Herald Sun, June 16/04, Stephaine Glickman

[On Edge]
“Put 18 of Australia’s finest young circus talents with a multi-ethnic training team and you’ve got the start of a new breed of performers.”
The Australian, April 22/03, Lee Christofis

[Unleashed]
“While some performers impress with the imagination and originality of their acts, others demonstrate a well-developed sense of performance, delivering their breathtaking feats with casual abandon.”
The Age, Dec 01/03, Hilary Crampton

“Social obligation is acknowledged, too... Circus skills are taught in isolated, disadvantaged communities around the world as a way of lifting the confidence of, and empowering, people in these communities.”
Melbourne Weekly Magazine, Nov 30/03, John Gascoigne

[High Voltage]
“I have to admit to being blown away: for over two hours, these first and second year students juggled, flew, dived, swung, performed aerial acrobatics on the trapeze and walked the tightrope with the aplomb of consummate professionals.”
Inpress, Dec 11/02, Rebecca Cook

[Wild Things]
“If this is what they can produce after just one year of study, then mark December 2003 in your diary.”
The Age, Dec 15/01, Hilary Crampton

 

Testimonials

Shows

[The New Breed]
"The students were brilliant, focused, sincere, funny; most of all it was very moving. That beautiful scene with the young girl on the German Wheel and her 'boyfriend' really made me cry. How great to see young people showing their skills with such honesty and commitment. You're doing a fantastic job there... thank you."
Meryl Tankard


[Inferno]
"We saw Inferno on Sunday – really enjoyed the show.  Great performances and very entertaining."  
Shawn Ticehurst, MINI/ BMW Group Australia


[Inferno]
"Congratulations on a successful opening night! It was great to see the talent, vitality and enthusiasm of the students - a little exhausting however! I spoke to the Minister who was obviously pleased and impressed. I hope you have the opportunity to do this annually, it's a great way of exposing the whole nature of NICA to a wide audience and projecting the talent that is being developed."
Kerry Klineberg, Australia Business Arts Foundation 


[Inferno]
"Some people go to the opera for a season, some the ballet, I can't remember the last museum I went to, but if there is a circus show, and in particular a NICA show, we'll be there..."
Jo Galati, The Space Dance & Arts Centre


[Short Courses]
"Thank you so much for putting on such a high quality program at the Adults Winter Intensive. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it, and the teaching was absolutely top quality. I feel very privileged and am very grateful to receive training from some of the best instructors in Australia and to be able to use the equipment at your training facility which surely must be the best available in Australia. I am especially grateful to have done so much aerial work throughout the week, as that was the main reason I attended the program and I was not disappointed. The atmosphere was very encouraging and I will be recommending your classes to all my friends!"
Andrew McQueen