Dwell
“Grant’s genius concept allows ‘Dwell’ to be continuously produced, as the narratives are able to be different to the previous season, allowing past audiences to see the work again. Furthermore, the different renditions allow audiences to feel as if they have witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime show, reigniting the unique and intimate nature of theatre.”
“Hopefully ‘Dwell’ will return soon so audiences can continue to witness the unexpectedly absurd happenings of this rundown and circus-filled motel. The high-energy performance was well received as the outrageous narratives allowed for a night of scandalous fun.”
Sophie Heather, Theatre Haus https://www.theatrehaus.com/2022/11/dwell-brisbane-fringe/
Sometimes I Say Your Name Out Loud
“From the ritualistic locking the souls away in orbs and latching them onto an origami boat which over the course of the show descended onto the stage to Mort swinging from the air, looking for other lost souls. All these moments added to a creating a thought-provoking commentary on mortality, what it means to live life in both its darkest and most colourful moments as well the weight that our lost friends and family have on our chest.”
Virag Dombay, Nothing Ever Happens In Brisbane https://www.nothingeverhappensinbrisbane.com/review-archive/sometimes-i-say-your-name-out-loud
“Grant was compelling in Sometimes I Say Your Name Out Loud: fabulous circus skills, with great demonstrations of strength, balancing, and work on the silks/trapeze (on this occasion, more of a netting/hammock). If I had to single out only a few moments from the show that I particularly enjoyed, most included Grant. The scythe work was fantastic; I am not sure I have ever seen a scythe being balanced, let alone with such skill and apparent ease (and love).”
Catherine Lawrence, Creative Futures https://creativefutures.online/reviews/2021/5/7/review-sometimes-i-say-your-name-out-loud
“Then there were the sacred offerings of Madeline Grant’s Mort. I have never seen someone wield a garden implement with such savage beauty and dance with death quite so absurdly. Mort also stole whatever limelight was left in the realm when she took to the air in a piece so death defying, it was life affirming. In all seriousness though, it is right up there with some my favourite aerial performances. One of the biggest magic tricks of the night was in making that performance seem so accidental. And ultimately, it is Mort’s few words, about really making sure we live our life, that still haunt me as I write this review.”
Kati Murphy, Nothing Ever Happens In Brisbane https://www.nothingeverhappensinbrisbane.com/review-archive/sometimes-i-say-your-name-out-loud-moi-collectivist
Over The Back Fence
“Our MCs for the evening were the endearing Buster 1 (Madeleine Grant) and Buster 2 (Phoebe Manning) of bus 1 and bus 2 respectively, who ushered us indefatigably between venues and acts, and kept us thoroughly entertained along the way with stories, jokes, and a whole host of classic school bus singalong bangers that were so bad they were good. Buster 1 and Buster 2 also roped us into their little competition of whose bus was better, which lead to some pretty hilarious moments of audience participation and kept the littlest members of the audience engaged too.
Kristy Stanfield, Nothing Ever Happens In Brisbane https://www.nothingeverhappensinbrisbane.com/review-archive/over-the-back-fence-vulcana-circus
Rear Vision
“With such a big cast and a great diversity of acts, it’s impossible to mention it all, but some of the most memorable scenes for me were the hilarious wheelie bin clowning, an impressive and amusing group bike act, and a duo acrobatic scene performed completely (and hygienically) without any hand-to-hand contact.”
Kristy Stanfield, Nothing Ever Happens In Brisbane https://www.nothingeverhappensinbrisbane.com/review-archive/rear-vision-vulcana
“Vulcana Women’s Circus (“Home of the Brave, Strong and Daring”) gives a dazzling perspective on this crazy year through a drive-in car-park performance, using circus, poetry and sound.”
Matt Foley, Stage Diary https://stagediary.com/review/2020/12/rear-vision-vulcana-womens-circus/
Picnic
“Our delivery arrived and Ernest and Frank arrived and started to measure out the ‘COVID safe space’ they were to perform in. There were about 20 of us in the audience, some friends, some local community, and we were captivated! They drew us into their journeys through isolation and back into being near and close to each other. Describing with their performance how much touch means to us, and how lonely we are without it. As the sun set, they invited the audience to jump through a heart, sharing their love with us all.”
Abbie Trott – Salisbury Resident who booked a Circus Delivery
Dwell
“Punters to Dwell are checked-in to the ‘rustic’ and ‘charming’ hotel Dwell by the manager, played with delightful, creepy awkwardness by Maddy Grant, crocs and all. Maddy has been honing her clowning skills over a number of years, and this really shines through in her commitment and obsessive love of her favourite room.”
Adam Wood, Nothing Ever Happens in Brisbane
https://nothingeverhappensinbrisbane.com/2019/05/20/dwell-collectivist/
“Humour is peppered throughout, most overtly through the scenes featuring the motel’s idiosyncratic and increasingly eccentric manager (Maddy Grant) in shuffle into the room.”
Meredith Walker, Blue Curtains Brisbane
https://bluecurtainsbris.wordpress.com/2019/05/25/anywhere-adventure/
Nautical but Nice
“My personal favourites were Ethel the middle-aged mermaid and her lady-crab companion, who entertained the crowd by throwing fish at them and general heckling the hell out of people.”
https://nothingeverhappensinbrisbane.com/2019/06/09/nautical-but-nice-ruckus-slam/
Resting Bitch Face
“The four performers making up ‘Resting B*tch Face’ demonstrate the pressures of being a woman in the modern world through a series of very physical vignettes….with strong women pushing physical and cultural limits to a killer (’90s-inspired, pro-women) soundtrack…This was a fabulous, thought-provoking and fun show, get along to see them next time they’re playing!”
https://scenestr.com.au/arts/resting-b-tch-face-brisbane-review-wonderland-festival-20171205
“Madeleine Grant literally wrestles with herself, her makeup, and a range of office items matched with superb deadpan skills.”
Inertia
“The women are strong and sure and fast. They tumble and roll at lightning-fast speed. There are a lot of curious and interesting group acro-balances, feet placed upon chests and backs…the performers are comfortable and intimate with each other, and claim the space with confidence.”
https://nothingeverhappensinbrisbane.wordpress.com/2016/12/02/inertia-vulcana-womens-circus/
Maddy grant circus performer 