Dummies 2019

Multi-award winning circus company Dummies Corp. will return to Perth FRINGE WORLD and Adelaide Fringe Festival this summer with their international hit shows: Trash Test Dummies and Splash Test Dummies.

Having performed over 500 times to audiences around Australia and the UK, the Dummies are back with exhilarating new tricks, a few surprises and a whole lot of bellyaching laughs.

Tickets are on sale now via fringeworld.com.au and www.adelaidefringe.com.au

Founded by three highly skilled comedians and circus performers, Jamie Bretman, Simon Wright and Jack Coleman, the company has been delighting audiences young and old with a nuanced blend of physical comedy, circus and audience interaction since they first premiered Trash Test Dummies in 2012. Their imaginative cirque, compared to the likes of Cirque du Soleil and Circus Oz, uses circus to encourage imagination expansion through play, and is influenced by Jamie's background in social work and community outreach.

The Dummies Corp.' side-splitting slapstick has won a slew of awards, including Best Children's Presentation at Adelaide Fringe Festival 2016 and 2015, and has received critical acclaim around the globe. Their return to Adelaide and Perth follows three years of sell out seasons at Edinburgh Fringe Festival's Underbelly, as well as touring USA, Hong Kong, South Korea, China, Ireland and the UK.

The world-class company will once again display a brilliant array of catch-your-breath stunt work, acrobatics, and physical comedy, sure to enthral the young ones while possessing enough intelligent innuendo to entertain the adults.

The shows' creator, Jamie Bretman, lead performer and founder of Dummies Corp. says that the shows are bigger and better than ever.

"We spent a week or so refining the shows when we toured the UK so there are quite a few changes and surprises. We also enlisted renowned American circus and theatre director Morgan Wilson to work with us in Edinburgh on the show," says Jamie.

Fresh from international waters, Splash Test Dummies returns to Adelaide Fringe Festival with an all new set and revamped props. The immersive action comedy starring Jamie Bretman, Simon Wright and Jack Coleman will take audience on a journey of oceanic proportions, with imaginative audience participation and jaw-dropping acrobatics.

The riotous wheelie-bin action that is the company's flagship show Trash Test Dummies, is coming back to delight Perth fans, young and old alike. Perth-born Amy Nightingale-Olsen will take to the stage as the first female Dummy, bringing fresh energy and new high-flying tricks to FRINGE WORLD. A renowned acrobat, Amy also holds the title of Australia's most highly-skilled Icarian Games (foot juggling) performer. Sharing the stage with Amy are two extraordinary circus comedians, Thomas McDonald and Leigh Rhodes, both graduates of Australia's premier circus academy the National Institute for Circus Arts (NICA). Company founder Jamie Bretman will direct the show.

Seven-time Green Room Nominee and one time Green Room Award winner, director Claire Bartholomew will direct Splash Test Dummies. In addition to theatre-making, Claire is a renowned clown masterclass teacher. She has also worked as a Clown Doctor at children's hospitals around Australia for 13 years and is a Training Advisor for The Humour Foundation (Clown Doctors) nationally.

For Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2019, Dummies Corp. will debut its first production with an all-female cast of circus comedy artists. The all new ensemble show entitled Slapdash Dummies will encompass the enthralling meld of acrobatics, comedy and character that has made the company such a success. Playing the festival during school holidays from 6 – 21 April, it's one not to be missed.

Splash Test Dummies and Trash Test Dummies performances run for 60 minutes and are suitable for audiences of all ages.

Trash Test Dummies: a circus comedy like no other.
Where: Big Top at The Woodside Pleasure Garden
Russell Square, James Street, Northbridge, Perth
When: 6:20pm, 18 January - 3 February (No show on 28 January) Price: $16.50 - $27.50

Tickets: www.fringeworld.com.au

Splash Test Dummies: a splash-tastic circus comedy.
Where: Corona Theatre at The Garden of Unearthly Delights (East Terrace, Adelaide)
When: 15 February – 17 March
Saturday & Sunday 11.30am
15, 16, 21-23, 28 February & 1, 2 March 5.30pm
6-10 & 13-17 February 6.30pm
Price: $20 - $25
Bookings: www.adelaidefringe.com.au or 1300 621 255