BREC to set the stage for circus extravaganza with Don’t Mess with the Dummies performance and workshop

The young and the young at heart are set to experience a jungle-themed circus adventure extravaganza, along with the special opportunity to learn a few tricks themselves. The Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre will set the stage for Don’t Mess with the Dummies, an all-female circus spectacle set to be performed on Saturday March 18. Set in the jungle, Don’t Mess with the Dummies is an adventure the whole family will enjoy, featuring plenty of side-splitting humour and an impressive array of creative clowning, high-flying aerial stunts and incredible acrobatics. Cast member Sarah McDougall said audiences would be sure to have a good laugh during the show. “The beautiful thing about this show is that everyone kind of gets to make up their own story as they go along,” she said. “We’ve kept it nice and loose so you can experience it in all sorts of different ways and it’s a well-rounded show for everyone.” McDougall said she was also excited to be able to travel to the regions once again following the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the arts scene. “The towns that we have gone to already, everyone has been nice and welcoming,” she said. “It’s great for us to be back doing what we love but it’s also really important for the communities that haven’t been able to see and do these things for a couple of years. “There’s a huge difference between regional touring and touring in metro areas. “Both are really nice but there’s a nice family vibe when you go out to the regional communities. “We went to Lake King the other day and the whole town turned up and it became a full event which was really lovely.” Prior to the performance, kids will have the chance to join the stars of the show for a circus workshop, taking place on Friday, March 17. The workshop will focus on teaching circus skills, including a few seen in the show itself, and enabling children to develop a deeper connection with its core themes of creative play and self-empowerment. “The kids will be able to come along, play a few games, be a bit silly and get to know each other,” McDougall said. “We’ll do some hula hooping, some juggling, some plate-spinning and learn a few tricks that will be in the show so then if you do the workshop beforehand you can be like ‘that’s so cool I learnt that yesterday’ so that’s always fun and kids always get excited.” BREC engagement producer and professional circus performer Dr Michele Laine said circus skills encompassed far more than just playing around. ”There’s purpose, passion and intent to be found in the skills of creative clowning,” she said. “It’s a way for us to connect with our authentic inner child, taking us out of our comfort zones to a place where we can build confidence and resilience, enabling us to learn about failure in a safe environment.”