★★★★☆
Southern Cross Soloists’ (SXS) sacred and profane is the collision of classical music and circus that I didn’t know I needed.
As a big fan of sitting back and watching orchestras perform, I was intrigued and excited to experience this ensemble for the first time. As one of Australia’s leading chamber music ensembles, with a 31-year history, I was surprised I hadn’t seen them perform before. Throw some circus performers into the mix, and I’m sold.
sacred and profane is the final performance of the 17th QPAC Concert Series for 2026. It blends the worlds of classical music and circus with artistry, humour and a healthy dose of chaos. The first half of the performance embraces the joyful mayhem of a traditional big-top circus, accompanied by the musical works of Dmitri Shostakovich.
The second half takes a slower, more contemplative approach, allowing individual musicians to showcase the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Other composers featured throughout the performance are David Lang and Elena Kats-Chernin.
The performance begins with pianist Liam Viney entering the stage and setting the mood beneath soft lighting. I couldn’t help but wonder whether he was playing QPAC’s new Steinway & Sons concert grand piano. I recently read that the instrument had embarked on a four-month journey from Hamburg, followed by a further six months acclimatising to the Concert Hall’s 24/7 humidity-controlled environment. But I digress.
Viney continues playing as the remaining members of the six-person ensemble enter. Following a few brief words from SXS Artistic Director Tim Munro, the energy in the room shifts almost instantly.
The audience is transported ringside as circus artist Paul O’Keeffe enters through the audience. His unsuccessful attempts to climb onto the stage, accompanied by handfuls of scattered sheet music, make it clear that this is no ordinary performance in QPAC’s Concert Hall.
What follows is a celebration of traditional circus, complete with hilarious slapstick, comedic chaos and feats of strength that are nothing short of extraordinary.
Performing alongside her husband, Kat O’Keeffe delivers a jaw-dropping display of skill. Her pointe-shoe adagio and blindfolded balancing acts are incredible feats, a testament to the two decades of experience she has brought to her craft.
The trio is completed by Gerramy Marsden, playing the role of a hapless stagehand. His attempts to help clean up the stage often result in little more than pushing sheets of music into the audience.
Marsden’s commanding stage presence is matched by his impressive strength as the base of a three-person tower. Kat demonstrates the same strength and control as a base, while Paul leaps between their shoulders in a display of acrobatic precision.
One of my personal highlights is the bicycle routine. Watching Paul O’Keeffe proudly ride a bike around the stage as it slowly falls apart is equal parts hilarious and nerve-racking.
My heart couldn’t help but sink every time I heard another thunk against the Concert Hall stage. I found myself wondering about the logistics of repairing any potential damage done to QPAC’s stages. But I digress again.
There is always something to watch throughout sacred and profane, making it an incredibly entertaining production. I particularly enjoyed seeing the musicians given opportunities to showcase their individual instruments, often while the circus artists performed nearby or even included them in a balancing act.
The interplay between the musicians and performers creates a sense of spontaneity, with the two art forms complementing one another rather than competing for attention.
The collaboration, shaped by Circus Director Rowan Heydon-White, demonstrates a clear passion not only for circus but also for its connection to music. Finding the right balance between the two is no easy feat, yet the production makes the combination feel both playful and purposeful.
I hope this collision of classical music and circus is something we see more of in the Southern Cross Soloists’ 2027 season. sacred and profane has certainly gained SXS a new fan in me.
sacred and profane was presented by Southern Cross Soloists and was held for one performance only on 18 October 2026 at the Concert Hall, QPAC.
Show information: https://www.qpac.com.au/whats-on/2026/southern-cross-soloists-sacred-and-profane
Website: https://www.southernxsoloists.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/southerncrosssoloists1/
Photo credits: Stephen Henry
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