Theatre 8 holds family-friendly, one-man circus show performed by 15yo Geraldton local Angus Chadbourne

A Geraldton teenager eager to start his circus career will perform his debut one-man show this weekend after being involved in theatre since he was six years old. One-man circus show Hats, Splats and Balls will be held at Theatre 8 in Wonthella on Saturday, July 8, and features 15-year-old performer Angus Chadbourne, a local Geraldton boy with a passion for all things circus. Two shows will feature 50 minutes of juggling, puppetry, clowning, stunts, music and some acrobatics as well as audience involvement. The family-friendly, comedic show will have the kids laughing throughout as Angus juggles balls, clubs, rings and will even bring out the knives. Other bizarre juggling equipment include tuna and cans of beans. Angus has participated in the Creative Works Youth Theatre since he was in Year 2, but this will be his first ever live, one-man circus show. He said he hoped the community supported the show and his dream of being on stage, something he’s harboured for as long as he can remember. He is encouraging families to get involved in his show. “I hope I can continue doing this and expand, I’ve got ideas for more shows and next year i’m looking to take this show — if it goes well here — down to Perth Fringe Festival,” he said. Circus and performing arts is Angus’ main hobby, but he also delves into creative writing. He said he wrote his own stage play for the Hats, Splats and Balls show. “I have an interest in all of the arts, it’s all I want to do. I want to go to WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts) when I finish school,” he said. “At the start of this year I went down to the WA Circus Festival in Karnidale, it was really my first time experiencing the circus community outside of the classes that I’ve been doing. It really opened my eyes up, I saw shows and got two weeks of training during a scholarship there. “My juggling teachers and the people I saw there inspired me.” Theatre 8 president Russell Pusey, who also teaches Angus at Geraldton Grammar School, said Angus was a talented and hardworking performer and the community had already shown a lot of support. “There are moments in it that will leave you absolutely gobsmacked, it’s great to see locally produced, family-friendly entertainment . . . people will leave with a smile on their face, it’s got great music and a really personable young performer at the heart of it,” he said. “Both of the shows are practically sold out, which is fantastic for something of this style, it’s kudos to him and his hard work. We’re really looking forward to it.” Show times run at 2pm and 7pm. Limited tickets are available at $12 each and can be purchased at trybooking.com/events/landing/1070543