AUSTRALIAN originated slapstick physical comedy Trash Test Dummies will be one of many highlights at this year’s Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival happening this month. Fun for the whole family, Trash Test Dummies is a fast-paced, interactive performance with lots of music and dancing.
Three highly skilled circus performers use household wheelie bins and other props to perform a stunning array of jaw dropping acrobatics, juggling and stunt work. TTD are winners of the best children’s presentation at the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2016 and 2015 and are just back from a sell out season at the Edinburgh Fringe. It was originally created to be a kids’ show and has since turned out to be an essential family show
Simon Wright from TTD answered our questions about this kids’ show that has since morphed into an essential family piece.
What are the origins of this show?
Jame Bretman, Simon Wright and Jack Coleman created the show after working very closely together at the National Institute of Circus Arts. In their final year at NICA they were part of an ensemble show called ‘Lucy and the Lost Boys’.
In this show they played street cleaners and were given garbage bins and a lot of time to explore the possibilities of the bins. They were loved by the crowds and after graduating proceeded to create what is now known around the globe as Trash Test Dummies.
How long is it running?
It has been touring for four years.
How much rehearsal did TTD take?
The initial show was written in two weeks and 100 hours but has since been reworked with various directors and honed over 350 shows.
What other roles/ gigs have TTD been involved in?
Simon Wright has starred on a kids circus TV show called hoopla Doopla. All three performers when not on tour perform freelance for various agencies and corporate events. However Trash Test tend to take up most of our performing time.
Do the wheelie bins travel across the continents with you or do you hire locally?
We source bins locally wherever we go. Although when we were in China they gave us bins that were 120L larger than the ones we were used to so we had to work extra hard to lift and throw them around.
They may wet themselves with laughter
What can the Limerick audience expect from Trash Test Dummies show?
They can expect a very fun and highly interactive experience. They may wet themselves with laughter and will definitely be wowed by the world class circus stunts!
Trash Test Dummies perform at Lime Tree Theatre this Saturday 14 and Sunday 15.
Book on www.limetreetheatre.ie.
