Review: FLIP Fabrique – Six°, Fringe 2025

“Flip Fabrique: Six°” is a circus show that promises to explore the missing connections between people.

The synopsis suggests five performers are summoned to a quirky house with a personality of its own, a concept that is unusual and intriguing. The setting for this show is very different from what you would expect from a circus. The stage is a dilapidated 1950s or 60s style house, battered by storms, and yet with a distinctly modern control panel next to an old-fashioned rotary telephone. The “do not press” red button is a great detail that sets a mischievous tone.

The Atmosphere of Disconnection

The show opens with a single clown/ juggler character struggling with a (what might be) sentient door. It’s a great piece of physical comedy that establishes a central conceit. Soon, more performers enter, but they and our clown cannot see each other. This sets the stage for a unique kind of circus, where the audience witnesses perfectly choreographed acts where some performers interact, while others remain oblivious to those around them. This deliberate confusion allows a number of acts to be woven together, such as the moment when a performer holds up a picture frame, and another tumbles through it, a wonderfully timed piece of physical comedy.

The younger members of the audience were captivated by the visual spectacle, particularly the juggling acts and the various giant hoops. The show is certainly entertaining, but the concept of disconnection is more cerebral and is not fully realised in the performance. The plot is hard to follow. When one performer, in a moment of frustration, cries, “I don’t understand,” it’s a feeling a few of the audience might share. The idea that these characters are from different points in time, yet find commonality in the end, is a bit lost in translation. But in the end, it hardly matters. The spectacle is the main draw.

The High-Flying Acts

The performance is a solid one, with familiar but well-executed circus acts. There are incredible balance acts and some of which are done from the “roof” of the house. The standout performance, though, is the trampoline act. A huge, flower-covered trampoline is rolled out from behind the house. As the performers bounce, the flowers fly everywhere, creating a stunning visual effect. This high-energy act is a proper jolt of electricity. It stands in stark contrast to the slower, more graceful acts, and manages to be both high-octane and graceful at once. The trampoline adds a new level of height and dimensionality to the performance, and is, without a doubt, a crowd-pleaser.

Overall

“Flip Fabrique: Six°” is a quirky and entertaining circus show with an original story that is probably best not analysed too closely. The acts themselves are tried and trusted but are presented with an inventive twist thanks to the central concept of the sentient house and the disconnected performers. It is a solid performance that offers something different from the usual Fringe fare, blending physical comedy and astounding acrobatics with an unusual plot. A great watch for anyone who wants a break from stand-up comedy and theatre, and a must-see for circus lovers.