Forget the tired tropes. Oz: The Cirque Experience at the Alex Theatre is a high-octane theatrical event that is purely about the present. It’s a dynamic, sophisticated show that earns its spectacle through brilliant execution, using world-class acrobatics to deliver a message with serious clarity and unexpected heart.
Some productions lean on nostalgia. This show completely trusts its audience to follow its direction, building from the story we know without ever repeating it. It’s got the colour, the scale, and the sheer physical thrill, but its true power lies in the intentionality behind every scene. This is a story of self-discovery, transforming a beloved tale into a modern theatrical masterpiece.
A Fresh Emerald City Takes the Stage
There’s no slow burn here. Dorothy is ripped from Kansas within minutes, establishing an immediate, pulse-quickening shift in energy. The world she arrives in feels purposeful and visually cohesive and it’s intelligent staging at its best.
The lighting and design are seriously ambitious. The Emerald City is introduced with a bold, hard-glow aesthetic and strong lines. It signals modern ambition rather than old-school fantasy, proving this isn’t a gentle reimagining. Everything is visually consistent, ensuring the show is compelling viewing for any serious theatre-goer in Melbourne.
Acrobatics: The Engine That Drives the Narrative
This production is a masterclass in using choreography as a narrative tool. The acrobatics aren’t just inserted for a quick cheer, they are the storytelling. Every physical feat reflects pressure, progression, and the emotional urgency of the journey.
Dorothy’s route through Oz is relentlessly active. She is climbed, swung, lifted, and caught in sequences of constant, breathtaking physical commitment. The synchrony and rhythm of the cast were a key strength, making the story unfold in mid-air.
And yes, it’s absolutely current. That brilliantly dry moment in Emerald City, where The Wicked Witch and The Good Witch have a stand-off, one wielding a broomstick and the other, a selfie stick, captures the show’s clever, satirical tone. It’s a sharp, smart commentary on vanity, control, and image culture, proving this version of Oz is highly relevant.
The Talent Behind The Experience
The large company, drawn from elite Australian circus and performance talent, delivers on the high-wire skill while never losing the core emotional thread. They find the vulnerability inside the precision.
Elena Atanasovski (Dorothy) serves as the necessary central anchor, maintaining the emotional consistency that grounds the entire whirlwind of acrobatics and spectacle.
Hannah Gardiner (The Good Witch) is pure elegant presence, ensuring the character feels strong and modern rather than overly saccharine.
Jordan Twigg (The Wicked Witch) is a genuine standout, holding the entire room’s attention through her sharp delivery and fashionable villain attitude.
Dan Price (Tin Man) is an accomplished Australian circus performer who makes the profound human longing for a heart feel palpable across the stage without resorting to exaggerated theatrics.
Bede Nash (Scarecrow), a dynamic circus performer with a background in gymnastics mastery, and Louis Green (Lion) form a brilliant emotional trio with the Tin Man, carrying their searching characters entirely through the rhythm and physical commitment of their bodies.
Jonathan Nash-Daly (The Wizard) and Luke Blaze (The Illusionist) add crucial pace control, keeping the world of Oz unpredictable and smart.
The entire elite company, including Conor Rutland, Nina Brown, Jessica Cannizzaro, and Zoe Rose, exhibits an incredible multitasking confidence and chemistry. Many of these top performers have trained at institutions like the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) or toured with major companies, giving the show its intense, modern style and driving the most demanding aerial and floor work.
Why the Ending Creates a Lasting impact
The production maintains a powerful, forward-moving pace, yet it skillfully masters the soft, reflective moments. It avoids overstating the message, allowing the audience’s understanding to form naturally through the action.
The companions hold up a mirror for Dorothy; they don’t give her answers. This leads to a beautiful, quiet realization: you don’t find your heart, brain, or courage, you realise you already had them. The emotional clarity is stunning.
When Dorothy finally returns home, the famous line is delivered with simple, clear acceptance. “There is no place like home” feels like a grounded, profound moment of realization that finalizes a sophisticated journey.
Oz: The Cirque Experience is high-impact, emotionally intelligent theatre. It’s a production that succeeds by choosing relevance and heart over relying on the safety of the past. It is an unmissable theatrical event currently running at the Alex Theatre St Kilda. For more information on the thriving local arts scene, you can check out Arts Centre Melbourne.
Tickets and Venue Details for the Alex Theatre
Oz: The Cirque Experience
Live at Alex Theatre St Kilda 135 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda VIC
Tickets and show dates: https://tickets.alextheatre.au/oz-cirque-tickets/ https://ozcirque.com/
Show duration: approx. 2 hours including interval
Disclaimer: Glamorazzi representative Meenakshi Chintalapati and Devashree Joshi attended OZ: The Cirque Experience at Alex Theatre, St Kilda, Melbourne – courtesy of Fuller Media, via Rain Fuller. As per Glamorazzi’s editorial policy, our reviews remain honest and independent
