By Kate Jackson

It was a dark and stormy night, but that didn’t deter hundreds of intrepid Melburnians from flocking to the opening night of Circus Oz’s newest show, From the Ground Up.

In a world where most children have grown up with computer-generated imagery and 3D films, there is something quite vital about seeing real people flying through real air and landing their tricks with just the slightest wobble, to let you know that in reality, one small step to either side could spell disaster.

The energy, the action, the rippling biceps and triceps, all reinforce the notion that if there was an Olympics for circus arts, this team would be in contention for gold.

And what a team they are. The multi-skilled, multi-talented troupe can do it all: sway pole, stretchy straps, acrobatics, teeterboard, trapeze, magic, plus a furiously impressive blizzard of juggling, which will leave you wondering just how many hands these people have?

With personalities as large as the signature big top, getting to know the characters is part of the fun.

Fantaysia Fitness is totally coordinated, or ‘totes co’ as she confirms in her confident Gen-Y way. And she has the Facebook page to prove it. While the amusingly accident-prone magicians, the Hammond brothers, will keep the kids the stitches.

Joining the group for the first time are two graduates of Circus Oz’s Blakrobatics Program, including Indie G (an indie genius Australian) who plays host for the evening, warming up the crowd with her unique brand of song and dance.

Even though Circus Oz tours extensively overseas and interstate, including huge distances between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, their base in Melbourne makes this a particularly sentimental place to see the show.

Circus Oz: From the Ground Up is on now until Sunday 15 July 2012, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm Wednesday to Saturday, and 1.30pm to 3.30pm Saturday and Sunday.