360 ALLSTARS like a street performance version of a circus, with BMX tricks, beat boxing, basketball tricks and breakdancing

CIRCUS/ DANCE

360 ALLSTARS

4 STARS

The Icecream Factory, Northbridge

Cast aside all your visions of a circus before watching the 360 ALLSTARS. There are no clowns, flying trapeze artists or juggling acts.

The 360 ALLSTARS is like a street performance version of a circus, with BMX tricks, beat boxing, basketball tricks and breakdancing.

A few families in the audience looked a little bewildered at the unusual circus, but most onlookers appeared familiar with the ALLSTARS’ street-inspired style, given the audience was mostly an older, more alternative crowd who have a good appreciation for street culture.

The bass-rattling music and the high-energy performance certainly got the crowd pumped up to the point that many audience members looked like they wanted to bust out some moves of their own.

Like all circuses, it had its enchanting moments. There was routine by world-record holding Rowan Thomas on Roue Cyr Wheel, which is like a giant hula hoop, which was simply mesmerising.

The single spotlight created an ethereal and hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. It was definitely the highlight of the performance, and left the crowd wanting more.

Another memorable moment was the drummer’s solo performance. A camera on his head, beamed to a central screen, gave a bird’s eye view of what goes on in the drum set when musicians are thrashing away.

The show, put on by Onyx productions, includes two-time world champion BMX rider and world champion breakdancers.

My young companions, aged 7 and 11, said it was a “great show” but complained the music was a little too loud for them and the venue a bit too warm. It is best aimed at young millennials.

The venue had both its positive and negative points. On one hand, its size made for a fairly intimate show, allowing a good connection between the crowd and the performers.

But it was difficult to see some of the floor routines during the breakdance set from the ground level.

While most of the show is visible at the ground level, my young companions were frustrated at not being able to see a breakdancer perform the worm on stage.

If you are keen to see the floor routine, try getting one of the elevated seats at the side or back of the room.

The show usually receives 5 star reviews, and has previously won a Fringe award. For those with a great appreciation of street culture, it is definitely be worthy of the top rating.

But for a mainstream audience, it comes in at 4 stars.

Running until February 9.