A group of Clunes youngsters will get the unique opportunity of creating and touring a live acrobatics performance this summer after landing a major arts grant.
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Christy Flaws and Luke O'Connor, who run the physical theatre company Asking for Trouble, came up with the poolside concept last year in collaboration with other local artists after making the move from Melbourne to Clunes.
The pair were originally trained in circus in New Zealand before moving to Australia where they have toured shows across regional Victoria and the country.
About 20 children aged between eight and 13 rehearsed for three days to come up with the 25-minute performance, which drew a packed out crowd to the Clunes pool.
The group recently was one of 11 regional Victorian arts organisations to receive funding from Regional Arts Victoria, landing almost $15,000 to offer the summer program to a wider audience.
This coming summer an expanded performance will take place twice at the Clunes pool, while the young performers will also get the opportunity to take the show on the road to the Trentham pool.
Ms Flaws said while most of the youngsters had not taken part in acrobatics prior to the rehearsals, they pair had promoted their activity through live performances at the Clunes Primary School.
“The kids knew us and had seen us doing some acrobatic things around the town,” Ms Flaws said.
“We excited this year to be doing it again but to have a longer engagement process in terms of getting interest.
“We would love to have a really big group participating this year but we’re also really excited to get the core group back from last year to continue.”
The larger group of acrobatics students will benefit from a lengthened rehearsal period which will run for 10 weeks, giving more kids an opportunity to learn new skills.
Ms Flaws said she hoped the success of the summer performances would allow Asking for Trouble to establish a more permanent acrobatics ensemble which would perform regularly.