NICA Dreams from the Second Floor - Review

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"There is a street, drab and ordinary like every other street, but behind it there is an empty space where everything is possible...."

Milan-born award winning Artistic Director Firenza Guidi uses her creative flair to present Dreams from the Second Floor featuring a strong cast of 21 contemporary circus student graduates from Melbourne based National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA).



NICA's custom built circus centre in Prahan has transformed into an industrial looking stage set to host an innovative part choreographed, part improvised theatrical performance exploring different types of dreams.

Dreams from the Second Floor pulsates with a raw energy right from the onset, as performing artists begin to play their respective character roles high above NICA's custom built aerial structures, as audience members find their seats.

What comes next is an energetic flow of acts performed alongside live band music put together especially for the show. A collection of vintage props make up the set with Singer sewing machines, an old pram and classic bicycles used throughout the show, and circus artists performing in war time era costume.



Although hard to pinpoint highlights of the show, personal favourites would be the Banquet with Ella Horner wearing the most incredible Big Skirt in the centre of the stage, the Flying Trapeze featuring six performers tumbling at record speed, and Rowan Thomas, Reece Cooper and Will Meager's powerful Roue Cyr.



When most of the performers hit the stage together, it is hard to know where to look with so much happening all at one time, yet it works, particularly in the hilarious Brawl scene featuring all cast members in the second half of the show.

With the guidance of Firenza Guidi and NICA's creative team, we see exceptionally talented graduate performers showcasing the very best of their abilities in a series of powerful, funny, sometimes dark and astonishingly beautiful scenes.



Firenza Guidi has obviously done what she does best with Dreams from the Second Floor, presenting a theatrical performance that would be incredibly hard to match in style, not forgetting to acknowledge the stars of the show; NICA's graduating students acting their respective parts with poise, skill and perfection.

Dreams from the Second Floor performances run from 26 - 29 November, and 3 - 6 December. Session times run at 7.30pm each night, with an extra matinee show at 1.30pm on Saturday 29 November and Saturday 6 December. Performances run for 90 minutes.

Ticket Prices:

General Admission
Adult $33 / Concession $27 / Child U16 $22
Family (2 adults & 2 children) $88
Family (2 adults & 3 children) $105
Groups (min 10) $25pp

Parental guidance recommended (PG)

Book your tickets here .

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