‘You & I’ is a great concept, and an excellent piece of theatre.

The premise of the show is deceptively simple.

It’s raining, which means that plans to go out are abandoned, and you’re stuck at home with your husband.

Fortunately, this is not a day for household chores, as this particular couple spend a loving and tender hour tumbling, hooping, lifting, spinning, dancing and playing together.

Circus certainly lends itself to providing a window into a loving relationship — particularly if you are a married couple and are two of the co-founders of Casus Circus.

Jesse Scott and Lachlan McAulay’s ‘You & I’ is intimate and loving, with powerful strength, great tumbling and control, funny moments, amazing and memorable trapeze, and a very special twist on the stacking chairs.

This is a highly personal piece, as it is co-created by the two performers in every sense of the phrase.

From lighting and soundtrack choices through to trick selection and set design, Scott and McAulay are in control—delivering a show that is jam-packed with tricks.

Drawing gasps of delight, amazement and even incomprehension from the audience (look out for Scott’s walking on ‘top-toe’—a whole new spin on the traditional tip-toes), it’s difficult to choose just one high-point, but I’m certain that everyone went away talking about the trapeze duet that culminated in McAulay’s exceptionally fast spin below Scott.

Serious circus is a welcome trend, moving away from the ‘trick—ta-dah—applause’ model, to storytelling through circus.

In the last few years, I have seen some very serious circus pieces that have been used to consider many challenging subjects.

It’s refreshing to see how McAulay and Scott push the boundaries by creating a story that is positive, loving, and full of hope.

Just make sure you get to see ‘You & I’ during this short 2019 Brisbane Festival run.

You & I is an emotionally driven story of love told through a blend of acrobatics, circus skills and dance by the two central characters.

Performers Jesse Scott and Lachlan McAulay’s real-life relationship is plainly evident in their on-stage interactions and the two work beautifully together to draw the audience along on their journey.

They performed a continuing parade of acrobatics and circus skills throughout the show to keep the audience cheering and clapping, showcasing their strength and physical endurance.

Unfortunately, the venue wasn’t well suited to their performance and being seated in the second half of the theatre space meant I couldn’t see anything below their waists, including any floor work.

I felt the performance was a little slow at times (possibly due to my limited view) and thought the dress-up scene missed the mark.

Overall, a lovely performance that tugged at the heart-strings.

A simple setting of an urban apartment belies the incredible feats that follow.

The boys from Casus Circus transform a quiet, mundane night in into a magical dance of theatre, comedy and acrobatics.

Individually, this Brisbane-based duo, showcase their talents of trapeze and other tricks leaving the audience gasping in awe as they defy gravity with finesse and superhuman strength.

But it is as a couple they take supporting your partner to a whole new level.

The camp costume changes inject comedy relief, proving it doesn’t matter who wears the pants when you both look great in Spandex!

Their tricks take us on the rollercoaster which is the modern relationship: jumping through the hoops, balancing each other’s needs, and sometimes even walking all over your partner; all set to a cool and sexy soundtrack.

As we navigate the twist and turns that ultimately entwine us together in love, I am reminded of the strength that love can give us if only we dare.

Never have I witnessed such an intimate performance of acrobatics, more a dance between two lovers than a set of tricks, a stage show, or a performance.

Allow Casus Circus to let your mind soar and spin as they make your next Ikea furniture assembly seems like a piece of cake!

You and I is a beautifully intimate performance experience.

There is always something special about the intimacy and connection that exists between performers that are also paired off stage, but this show takes that to a new level.

It captures, through elegant choreography and unbelievable physical feats, the honest and loving relationship that so obviously exists between the stars – Jesse Scott and Lachlan McAulay, co-founders of Casus Circus.

Jesse and Lachlan have kept a rawness to the routine that comes from a place of passion and love.

The closeness of the two men in both proximity and gaze is akin to getting a sneak peek into a couple’s most private moments – it was quite touching.

You’ll be treated to a heap of ‘hold your breath’ moments and at least one ‘that’s just insane’ moment but the truly remarkable thing about this performance is that it is just two performers – for a full 6o mins.

It’s a true testament to the strength, stamina and skill of the performers as it wouldn’t be uncommon for an act of this kind to feature four or five performers for the same duration.

I’m a sucker for a well thought out soundtrack which this show most definitely has.

The music and soundscape are well matched to the show’s overall themes and narrative – not to mention I wouldn’t mind a copy for myself!

I will add that the venue was not ideal.

Sitting about halfway back I struggled to see much of the floor work and scene-setting which helped the narrative flow – so if you’re seeing the show at Brisbane Festival get there early to secure a good seat.

For this one – I feel the closer you are the better.