The Leaping Lillies, Fliptease ·
State Theatre Centre of WA, 16 January 2021 ·
Junior review by Bethany Stopher, Age 14 ·

The Leaping Lillies are three extremely talented women who are all renowned circus performers in WA. Jessica Smart, The Cat’s Meow and Beth Sheldon (aka Miss Red) all pull off stunts individually and with the aid of unwavering trust and teamwork.

First, I must commend how thoroughly enjoyable this performance is as a whole. The performers are very humorous with exaggerated facial expressions, comical actions and sound effects. Even if they fumble, they go along with it, making it part of the act, which really makes the show flow without drawing attention to any occasional small flaws.

The show is especially suitable for children because it has that funny element, whether that means the performers scoffing popcorn or flailing on the trapeze. It is also engaging as they interact with the audience, waving at them for cheers and inviting people on stage to assist them with simple tasks.

All the performers have amazing strength and stunning flexibility. They can hold perfectly controlled (but obviously difficult) positions with ease for a long time and come out of them without being in a fluster.

I especially admire the trapeze artist. She astounds the crowd with her agility, even though she’s only two metres above the ground. Her other starring moment is when she piles three chairs on a table, and climbs up them until she is towering over us. She then executes a flawless handstand, leaving the audience breathless.

The Leaping Lillies definitely has a hint of fear to get our hearts pounding, but not enough to be intimidating. An example of this is when one performer uses a whip to break a piece of toilet paper held at either end by the other two. As the length of paper becomes shorter and shorter, the tension increases as the holders’ fingers get closer and closer to the cracking whip … however, nobody gets hurt and my little brother audibly sighed with relief behind me.

As you can tell, this show is fun-filled and charming, with a splash of humour on top. Head along with your littlest family members for a jam-packed performance with juggling, acrobatics, trapeze and more. It perfectly introduces young children to the circus and it will have them rolling with laughter and gasping with awe.

The Leaping Lillies is on in the Studio Underground of the State Theatre Centre from 20 to 25 January, 2021.

Pictured top: The Leaping Lillies – Jessica Smart, The Cat’s Meow and Beth Sheldon – put on a show of circus skills that will amaze the kids. Photo supplied