The world premiere of LASSÙ is the debut production from seventh-generation circus performer Merrik Ashton. Combining modern and traditional circus acts with cabaret, dance, and burlesque, LASSÙ serves as a very entertaining evening for Perth theatregoers this Fringe season.
LASSÙ is performed in a bespoke big top/ spiegeltent in Victoria Park, with the stage in the middle of the tent thrusting out from the façade of the entry to an old west saloon adorned with LED lights and art deco detailing. Creative Director Mitchell Woodcock has appropriately set the scene for a production that takes place in a saloon on the edge of the galaxy.
The show opened with a big musical number featuring the entire LASSÙ cast. Off the jump, the audience was introduced to a dazzling ensemble of characters that rocked stunning costumes and demonstrated some very impressive dance moves. The Rodeo Sisters, aka singer Maddison April-Maree Ashton and dancers Rachel Nikolovski and Abi Wells, graced the stage throughout the show. Their presence gave the audience a chance to catch their breath between the more edge-of-your-seat segments of the show.
Then, of course, there was that other aspect of the production: the feats of death-defying physical prowess that tied the whole thing together. Without providing any spoilers, as after all, seeing is believing, rest assured these were very impressive acts. There were no slouches here, but the clear standouts were Flex aka Merrik Ashton on the slackwire and fire dancer Pyra aka Clara Fable. These two performers had the audience completely enthralled and maybe even a little bit scared on behalf of their fearless acts.
The cast was supported by clowning acts from Neven Conolly as Rusty and Jessie Daley as Knox. These performances were quite delightful, silly and funny, and also served to build out the plot of LASSÙ. The overarching narrative was a nice touch, but one particular sequence late in the second act felt a little over-expository and disrupted the performance’s momentum. Aside from this sequence, these scenes served as a nice connective tissue between the show’s more bombastic acts.
On the evening I attended, the temperature inside the tent was pushing 40 degrees. I recommend bringing a bottle of water or perhaps even a fan if the forecast is hot.
LASSÙ is a show that involves quite a bit of audience interaction, and this reviewer even found himself poorly square dancing on stage at one point during the performance! If that isn’t your kind of thing, sticking to the rear of the general admission section should keep you clear of it.
LASSÙ is a wildly entertaining night out, featuring a dazzling ensemble, stunning costumes and death-defying circus acts.
LASSÙ is on now at Fringe World Perth and runs until 16 February, at the LASSÙ Chapiteau in Taylor Reserve, Victoria Park.
Tickets: https://fringeworld.com.au/whats_on/lassu-fw2025
Website: https://www.lassutheshow.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/lassutheshow/
Note: this show is for over 18s only.
Photo credits: Sean Breadsell
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