CIRCA Returns To Arts Centre Melbourne with HUMANS 2.0

If you’ve ever been swept up by the magic of contemporary Australian circus, then you’ll know that Circa are among the finest. They’ve travelled the globe with a distinctive brand of acrobatics that goes far beyond pure spectacle, revealing something raw, emotive, and undeniably human. Now, after celebrating their 20-year anniversary last year, Circa are back in Melbourne with HUMANS 2.0 from 14–24 May in the Playhouse at Arts Centre Melbourne. Promising a next-level circus experience, HUMANS 2.0 pushes bodies to the extreme and asks a question many of us quietly ponder: can we ever find a perfect balance, or is adapting to constant change our only option?

A Visionary Force In Australian Circus

Circa, who have called Brisbane home since 2004, stands out in this vibrant Australian theatre scene for their reinvention of circus as an art form. They seamlessly blend movement, dance, theatre, and acrobatics, forging performances that have captivated over two million people in more than 45 countries.

Under the guiding hand of Yaron Lifschitz, Circa’s Artistic Director, their shows are renowned for taking risks and redefining boundaries. Critics have been unanimous in their praise, with Theatre Travels remarking, “There is circus – and then there is Circa.” Their production HUMANS garnered international acclaim for its daring feats and the emotional resonance it stirred in audiences. Now, HUMANS 2.0 elevates that concept, continuing the conversation about what our bodies—and spirits—are truly capable of.

The Evolution From HUMANS To HUMANS 2.0

If you were fortunate enough to catch the original HUMANS, you’ll remember it as an intimate journey into the physical limits of the human form, a show that tapped into a universal desire to understand our own resilience. HUMANS 2.0 builds on that foundation, taking the choreography, athleticism, and philosophical underpinnings even further. This time, 10 highly skilled circus artists step onto the stage in a burst of light, forming precarious human towers, leaping into each other’s arms, and assembling intricate balances that seem to defy both physics and fear.

As with any Circa show, HUMANS 2.0 is never just a collection of tricks. It’s a deeply considered piece of theatre that explores our primal instincts and the communal bonds that hold us together. The show’s world premiere took place in Sydney in 2021, drawing rave reviews before embarking on a tour through Europe and the United States. Melbourne audiences now have a rare chance to witness Circa’s only Australian performances of HUMANS 2.0 this year.

Crafting An Immersive Experience

Circa’s productions are famous for their cinematic quality—each moment feels meticulously shaped to evoke awe, tension, or even tenderness. In HUMANS 2.0, the ensemble’s masterful acrobatics is underscored by music composed by Ori Lichtik, whose pulsing rhythms match the performers’ soaring bodies and synchronised breath. Meanwhile, Paul Jackson’s dramatic lighting creates a visually arresting environment, one where each shift in illumination reveals new shapes, new emotions, and new possibilities for the human form.

In describing the impact, some reviewers can’t help but speak in superlatives. ArtsHub called a previous Circa show “Jaw-dropping, seat-clawing and armchair-exhausting,” while The Conversation praised the company’s “spellbinding physical drama, with just the right amount of play, death-defying tricks and whimsical imagery.” Indeed, for HUMANS 2.0, you can expect the stage to transform into a kinetic artwork—a place where bodies become architecture, trust is tested in mid-air, and moments of stillness let you catch your breath (just barely) before the next cascade of motion unfolds.

At The Forefront Of A New Circus Wave

What sets Circa apart from many other companies in the realm of circus and physical theatre is their refusal to rest on tradition. They’re squarely focused on evolution—of the form and of themselves. It’s a mindset that resonates with new and returning audiences alike. Each show strives to unearth fresh artistic territories, whether blending in classical music, weaving narrative elements through movement, or interrogating timely questions about humanity’s capacity for change.

Circus as a performance art has deep roots in Australian theatre culture, reflecting a national spirit that values creativity, risk-taking, and a certain playfulness. Circa, however, has consistently raised the bar, prompting publications like Time Out to note how their work “pushes the boundaries of what circus and acrobatics can be.” This boundary-pushing is in no small part thanks to the physically and emotionally demanding training each Circa artist undergoes. Performers aren’t just athletes; they’re also actors, dancers, and choreographers in their own right, ensuring the final production resonates on multiple levels.

Beyond The Stage

Circa’s commitment to innovation doesn’t stop once the lights dim. Their engagement programs, such as Circa Academy, Circability, and CircaCairns (a First Nations-led circus initiative), highlight the company’s drive to involve diverse communities in the art of circus. These programs aim to develop the next generation of performers, offering professional workshops and community sessions that encourage people to discover the joy of movement and the expressive potential of their own bodies.

A noteworthy aspect of Circa’s involvement in Australia’s broader cultural scene was their role as Creative Lead for the 2018 Commonwealth Games Festival. They’ve also managed Artour, a Queensland Government initiative designed to support touring arts events. In an era where arts funding can be precarious, Circa’s ability to thrive and give back exemplifies their belief that culture isn’t just for consumption—it’s for participation, growth, and communal well-being.

A Unique Feature: The Philosophical Core

Amidst all the flips and tumbles, one of the most intriguing elements of HUMANS 2.0 lies in its philosophical edge. The performers quite literally test the boundaries of human strength and trust, but they also explore what it means to be connected to others in moments of strain, risk, and vulnerability. Watching their limbs intertwine and torsos stack one atop another, you’re reminded that life, like circus, requires constant balance and adaptation. A missed catch or a poorly timed jump can lead to disarray. And yet, through relentless perseverance—and perhaps a measure of faith in one another—moments of breathtaking harmony emerge.

HUMANS 2.0 asks us to reflect on whether a truly “perfect” equilibrium is ever attainable, or if ongoing flux is the only constant we can rely on. In an age defined by rapid social and technological changes, this question has never felt more relevant. Circa’s distinctive way of combining raw physicality with a deeper thematic purpose is what makes their shows linger in the mind well after the final curtain call.

The Wider Recognition And Support

Over two million people worldwide have witnessed Circa’s artistry, and their global reputation is reinforced by critical accolades and institutional backing. HUMANS 2.0 itself is commissioned by The Mondavi Center, UC Davis, reflecting the international curiosity about Circa’s boundary-bending productions. Closer to home, the company acknowledges the assistance of the Australian Government through Creative Australia, and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, underscoring the value of strong arts support in nurturing companies that can represent Australian theatre and culture on a global stage.

Circa’s ability to tour internationally—reaching high-profile venues across New York, London, Berlin, and Montreal—also speaks to the universal appeal of their productions. The language of bodies in motion transcends cultural barriers, allowing audiences from vastly different backgrounds to connect with the show’s core themes of resilience, trust, and collective identity.

A Grand Return To Melbourne

HUMANS 2.0’s arrival at Arts Centre Melbourne marks a homecoming of sorts for Circa, reminding local audiences why this Brisbane-based troupe has become an international sensation. From 14–24 May in the Playhouse, they’ll present the only Australian performances of HUMANS 2.0 for this year, sandwiched between legs of their European and U.S. tour. The limited run suggests tickets may well be in high demand, especially considering the company’s track record for sold-out shows.

For fans of Australia’s constantly evolving theatre scene—or for anyone simply seeking an unmissable evening of live performance—Circa’s Melbourne season is a golden opportunity. If you’ve never seen Circa before, prepare to be spellbound by feats that merge the earthly and the ethereal. If you’re already a devotee, HUMANS 2.0 promises a fresh iteration of the artistry you’ve come to love.

One Last Leap: Embrace The Thrill Of Being Human

In a world that often demands we keep both feet firmly on the ground, it’s exhilarating to watch performers celebrate the boundless possibilities of the human body. Circa’s HUMANS 2.0 isn’t just a spectacle of strength and agility—it’s a reflection of our collective journey through uncertainty and transformation. With each daring lift and precarious balance, we’re invited to look inward, to consider how we shape and reshape ourselves amid life’s turbulence.

If you’re captivated by the tension between risk and reward, if you find solace in the beauty of collaborative effort, or if you simply love to marvel at extraordinary skill, then HUMANS 2.0 will speak directly to you. Circa’s return to Melbourne provides not just an evening of jaw-dropping acrobatics, but also a chance to explore what it means to be human in a constantly shifting world.

So, whether you’re a long-time supporter of Australian theatre or just dipping a toe into the world of contemporary circus, Circa’s HUMANS 2.0 is a must-see event that redefines what’s possible on stage. Witness 10 performers push their limits in service of a resonant, collective story—one that’s as much about harmony as it is about daring. In the words of Time Out, Circa truly “pushes the boundaries of what circus and acrobatics can be,” reminding us all that sometimes, it’s in the moments of greatest tension and uncertainty that true human connection shines the brightest.