She’s from Cape Town. He’s from Chile. Their meeting in Australia six years ago resulted in a partnership made in heaven. Natalie Roberts and Orlando Vargas are the spellbinding aerial act in Rock Circus, on show at the Barnyard theatre. They spoke to Debbie Reynolds
With a break in their busy schedule touring Barnyard theatres around the country, Natalie and Orlando are back at their home base in Cape Town. I catch up with them on the telephone, expecting they’ll have plenty time to chat.
Not so. They’re frantically busy (working on a show which they were taking to the Seychelles at the beginning of this month). “After that we’re in Durban for the opening of Rock Circus at the Barnyard in Gateway,” says Natalie. “It’s always been our dream to create our own aerial show which combines theatre, dance and circus.”
They’re not giving up too many stage secrets about what to expect from Rock Circus except to say it’s a big surprise from start to finish and their rope duet act is unique.
“No one else in SA performs a double rope act. The act depicts our life story and the rope depicts our ups and downs in life and how we depend on each other more than we think!”
The couple met in 2004 when both were invited by Cirque du Soleil to perform at the opening of the Oxfam International Youth Parliament in Sydney, Australia. Natalie, a contemporary dancer from a farming community outside Cape Town and Orlando, a circus artist from Chile, first locked eyes in a backpackers’ canteen.
“I thought she was very tall and beautiful,” says Orlando. “And I thought he was short and intriguing,” laughs Natalie. “We both returned to our respective countries, but it wasn’t long before we were together again when I went to Chile to work alongside Orlando with street children in Santiago.”
Working with underprivileged children is a mutual passion. “Sharing the magic of circus and helping children develop self esteem and confidence is very special,” says Orlando. “We love to inspire people, give them hope and open up new possibilities. We like to teach people that they are unique and that their contribution is important. We should all learn to listen, tolerate and understand each other.”
It’s a philosophy they apply to their relationship which they say is more important than their careers even though they got married because Orlando’s visa was running out. “We wanted to be together and work together – and thankfully we have fallen more and more in love with each other!”
They decided to make South Africa their base because of the lack of professional circus skills in this country. “We knew we could better advance our skills here because we could teach and perform and have the space to grow our creativity.”
They have performed locally in Zip Zap Circus and Madam Zingara Theatre of Dreams and recently launched their own company, SircusSynery.
“Living and working together is not always easy, but we know how to separate the two and it’s always an adventure,” says Natalie.
Their work requires serious dedication, commitment and constant training. “What we do is not only very physical but also potentially dangerous. We train for up to five hours a day and we only perform what we know has been rehearsed time and time again.”
While they’re working in a show, their routine includes training for two hours before the show and, once their make-up is done, they spend another hour warming up and stretching.
“We have to make sure our act is perfect every night, not only because that’s what we should be giving our audiences, but because making a mistake can be life threatening,” says Orlando.
After a successful Seychelles performance, they’re excited about performing in Durban for the first time. “And we’re looking forward to spending time on the beach!”
* For Barnyard inquiries call 031 566 3045 or visit www.barnyardtheatres.co.za for more information.