But Wait...There’s More as Circus Oz performer extends her rap diva, hip-hop comedy to acrobatics

VERSATILE rap diva Candy Bowers has learnt how to catch flying acrobats for her new incarnation as a Circus Oz performer.

Candy Bowers is a fairly new member of Circus Oz, she came into the ensemble as a comic and hip-hop artist. Picture: Stuart Milligan

CANDY Bowers describes herself as a rap diva who does hip-hop and comedy.

Recently she’s also branched out into acrobatics with Circus Oz.

The versatile Northcote star said she joined Circus Oz about 12 months ago as a character performer, bringing her hip-hop and comedy skills to the show, but had learnt the techniques involved in catching acrobats flying through the air and holding women up high above her head.

“I’ve built up my core strength doing sit-ups and push-ups,” she said.

“I’m surrounded by circus people who know what to do and they’ve taught me techniques.”

Bowers said the circus had plenty of brand-new acts to keep audiences ­entertained, and they were now preparing for their coming production But Wait... There’s More.

RELATED: Watch a time-lapse video of the Circus Oz crew raising the big top in Melbourne’s blustery weather

“Any gamers will be blown away by a performance built around that,” she said. “Olivia Porter’s juggling is incredible.” Popular TV shows such as The Voice and Toddlers in Tiaras are also parodied.

Bowers said a lot of reality shows were based on the idea of taking real people and turning them into commodities. Circus Oz extends this idea in a comedic way, to explore the commodification of the arts.

“We turn the circus into a commodity and everyone is auctioned off,” she said.

Circus Oz is at Birrarung Marr from June 17-July 12.

Tickets: tickemaster.com.au

FUN OF THE CIRCUS

■ Circus Oz was born in Melbourne in 1978

■ The shows have travelled to 27 countries across five continents, to critical acclaim

■ The Circus Oz show is an animal-free circus

■ The company has raised more than $390,000 in donations to support refugees and asylum seekers, as well as other charities