Angels find new slice of heaven
THE Gold Coast’s own Queen of the Circus, Sue Porrett, will next week launch into new premises – a move that has been 10 years in the making.
Ms Porrett, who in 2002 launched her production company staging circus shows, will move to 1000sq m in Varsity Lakes, which is triple the size of the former premises at Hutchison St, Burleigh Heads.
Ms Porrett is a seasoned circus performer who started as a professional trapeze artist when she was 15 years old and retired at 34.
She has worked on or staged numerous shows such as LumiAir, the Cyber Illusion Spectacular; Zircus, Solaria, The Great Moscow Circus and was production tour manager for the recent sellout adultsonly circus cabaret, Infamous.
Six years after founding her production company, she launched the Aerial Angels Academy, which trains aerial performers and acrobats.
Ms Porrett said the new training base will enable the business to take the next step.
“It’s been 10 years in the making,” she said. “The new facility is three times the size of the current school and will house the production offices, onsite physio studio, student canteen and much more equipment.”
The new base is a long way from where Ms Porrett started.
She struggled early on to get businesses to realise the value of circus performances.
“I was writing letters to shopping centres and the casinos, and trying to put my style of entertainment into those venues,” she said. “My idea was to give a mini-circus show with dancers and acrobats.”
She said the business took off when her production company hosted a show at the Logan Hyperdome in 2002.
“It was extremely new and a bit daring. I had all my insurance (for the performers) in place and imagery to show management. After that we got calls from all around the country from shopping centres.”
In 2008 she founded her academy, fulfilling a long-held dream.
The 2007/08 period was one of huge growth. Despite a push into Asia and the Middle East, she said, the company struggled to stage shows at high-profile Australian venues, such as the then Jupiter’s Gold Coast (now The Star Gold Coast).
“I decided to take a risk and put up a gigantic tent at the Broadwater Parklands in Southport with a show called LumiAir. It was the story of my life but built on a fantasy theme,” Ms Porrett said.
“At that time my marriage broke down. I was a single mother with triplets.
“I invited all the Jupiter’s management because they would not have me there, so I thought I’d show them.”
The success of LumiAir led to shows at Jupiter’s and others including Zircus and Solaria.
Ms Porrett said the 10-year anniversary of the academy was an important milestone.
“I’m so proud to be celebrating our incredible artists, teachers, coaches and creative producers 10 years on – all who have performed in some of the most spectacular and famous shows and venues in the world including Cirque du Soleil, Moulin Rouge and The Sydney Opera House.”
She said she is finalising negotiations to bring a major new show to the city next year.