★★★★1/2

Adelaide Fringe. The Moa, Gluttony. 21 Feb 2026

 

Gasha is a high energy explosion of contemporary circus skills, vibrant colour, dazzling visual LED projections, and both recorded and live techno music, all assembled under the premise of celebrating modern Japanese culture in a multicultural and globalised world. (The cast of six included Caucasians and Japanese.) The very large audience was up for a noisy and jaw-dropping celebration and that’s exactly what they got, in bucket loads!

 

The plan to draw everything together under such a broad theme as ‘the culture’ of particular country works at a superficial level but doesn’t really hold up to closer inspection. The very best physical theatre/circus shows have a clear and compelling narrative that is evident to the audience, and although Gasha often ‘looks’ Japanese, it isn’t entirely apparent what the show is trying to say. There is no narrator or MC to help us along.

 

The show begins with a striking projection of a rising moon on a large backdrop which silhouettes one of the cast in a strong and static pose. The image is arresting; you momentarily hold your breath in anticipation of what is going to follow; the colour and lighting effects almost evoke fear and caution.

 

The first act gives us a woman suspended aloft by her hair as she rotates and gyrates at speed with unyielding fluidity. Again, you hold your breath and question whether she is safe? This is followed by another performer twirling multiple hoops in every which way with almost every part of her body. Such cleverness, and agility. Then a man shows strength, grace and timing as he makes a Cyr Wheel do seemingly impossible things with him in, on and around it.

 

This is seemingly all a warmup for more aerial antics with sashes and straps forced to submit to the will of lithe bodies that toss themselves around with abandon high above the stage as if gravity doesn’t exist and personal physical safety is not an issue. In moments of stillness, as the performers strike and hold poses with their bodies and straps bathed and sculpted by gorgeous light and colour, they form shapes suggestive of Japanese written script. Just stunning.

 

And then there are the obligatory balancing acts, but one of them has a distinct Japanese feel to it The performer works with four large parasols made from paper and bamboo, and… not to give anything away… balances all of them in seemingly impossible ways.

 

In between acts a solo musician plays a range of percussion instruments and what looks like a traditional Japanese Shamisen, except it has four strings (not three) and is tuned to sound much like a banjo. And of course it is electric, and he plays with the passion of a lead guitarist from any iconic western heavy metal band. He looks imposing dressed in his Japanese costume and his face painted as if in homage to David Bowie. He cleverly plays music that sounds oriental, but then its not, as it morphs into western riffs.

 

At the end the sun rises on a different Japan, and a body is again stunningly silhouetted in dazzling colour.

 

This show is such fun. The cast give generously of themselves ,and the crowd loves them for it.

 

Kym Clayton

 

When: 20 Feb to 22 Mar

Where: The Moa, Gluttony

Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au