I Think It Could Work - Full Out Formula + Almanac Projects

(Interview followed by review) 

“It’s a celebration of what makes us different and unique”

In conversation with Liam Bradley, one of the interdisciplinary acrobats in Chicago circus trio, Full Out Formula, we explored the exciting creative process of their internationally touring show ‘I Think It Could Work’ + what it’s meant for them to be making + performing circus together for the last 2+ years.

“We’ve had to learn how to change the show to fit anywhere, to work with the physical constraints, the technical constraints, but also to think on our feet in an improvisational way”

Liam met their fellow performers, Sierra Rhoades Nicholls + Kevin Flanagan at Circadium, Philadelphia in 2018. The trio then formed Full Out Formula in 2023 upon their earlier graduation from circus school. Back in Chicago, their first acrobatic act was born as the collective realised their chemistry + potential - they performed their act as much as they could in cabarets, spots + shows until more opportunities to build a full-length circus show started to arise. Liam shared that because of their diverse + dynamic circus skillsets, they often have to hop between multiple spaces to be able to practice their full repertoire; things like ceiling heights + flooring need to be just right to develop their style of acrobatics + juggling safely. The trio also more recently had the support of a few small residencies interstate, in Philadelphia + Wisconsin which allowed them more time + space to build the meaning, dramaturgy + the interdisciplinary tapestry of the show. Liam said that they felt lucky to have these opportunities given the increasing scarcity of support for the Arts in the US.

“I’m a big fan of Merce Cunningham + how he makes meaning from randomness. A good amount of the show is talking about how choice or chance can really affect what the performance is”

Liam shared Full Out Formula’s creative process welcomes each performers different interests + makes space for them to intermingle. They have always loved choreographer, Merce Cunningham + chance formed a fundamental element in their show. The process was initially devised, drawing upon different theatre + circus techniques they had learned at circus school with a particular focus on Lecoq clown. And because of the show’s interactive + audience-dependent nature, the trio would often invite many fellow artists, friends, families + sometimes strangers into their making space to test out their ideas, which I imagine was a connecting experience + a great way to build community around their project. Ben Grinberg, who used to be their Head of Theatre at Circadium, stepped in as Director + Producer with Almanac Productions one year ago - Liam said Ben’s support really helped the team to expand on their collective vision + to refine + shape the show further.

“In clowning, you need to connect to the presence of the audience. You respond to what they’re doing and how they’re feeling. That’s just impossible to do by yourself”

Liam shared that the Chicago creative community is alive + kicking; full of support in both theatre + circus. At the heart of these performers’ work is contribution to Chicago + the wider community through teaching circus + performing gigs. This is their main side hustle that supports their creative projects. In 2018, Sierra also started her own not-for-profit, called Connecting Circus Students Around The World, dedicated to making resources + financial aid accessible to the circus community. The Chicago community has been a huge support to their tours - Full Out Formula managed to fundraise $25,000 to take the show to Edinburgh Fringe in 2025 + with raving reviews, the team decided to continue their show onto Perth + Adelaide Fringe this year.

“Balancing the political landscape that we live in, it can feel very disheartening + hard to make art but we need it now more than ever”

Liam expressed their determination to make ends meet so they can keep making Art, especially in the current climate of the US. We discussed that making performance is like a symbiotic relationship for both the artists + the public to process collective hardship + despair. Liam feels committed to figuring out how the Arts can continue to be of service in these times.

My Review

An entropic formula, I Think It Could Work creates a dynamic + unpredictable universe where meticulous physical skill meets human messiness. We are re-enchanted into the endless possibility of the seemingly mundane - an egg, three sticks, a number, a choice + a human body become portals to wonder, stupidity, connection + infinity.

This trio will never perform the same show twice. The wonderfully chaotic interweaving of clown, circus + chance presents an expansive constellation of human beings who not only perform highly imaginative circus skills, but who present their authentic selves, openly feeling, talking to us, asking questions + responding to our answers on stage. This is a radical step towards the humanisation of circus - which as an artform remains one of the most physically impressive + entertaining, but one that has less often prioritised raw expression + improv. It is so refreshing to connect with circus performers who show us evolving feelings + opinions; to be invited into the process + effort behind the mastery. A particular highlight for me was when the audience were given the responsibility to direct Sierra’s handstand routine with no time limits in sight. Initially audience members were picking the most exciting + entertaining choices for themselves, but later, as Sierra started to openly express fatigue on her face, other audience members started to care + offered more sustainable options. Rather than supporting the unconscious objectification of performers, the audience are invited to discover each performer's unique possibilities + limits with empathy + conscious relationship.

The block primary-coloured costumes of the trio take me back to something fundamental, mathematical, kindergarten? Performers give us simple + accessible equations like, pick a number between 1-15 + the data they collect from the audience forms a mystery map for their next set of tricks. It is always such a joy to watch the public become equally active components in a show’s unfolding. Their formulaic approach set off a series of chain reactions, a cause + effect that would result in either an awe-inspiring skill, something hilarious or disgusting chaos. It felt like the universal synergies + clashes of our daily lives were being reflected back to us in real-time. At times, the audience had the choice to dial up or dial down performer’s emotions, which I found particularly playful + at times poignant - when an audience member chose for Liam to juggle with a sense of grief, the emotions felt real, so real + yet hilarious because we’d chosen it. In these moments it felt like a celebration of the absurd possibilities of human expression that we rarely get to choose in our everyday lives.

The commitment that all three performers bring to the many worlds they create is astounding + electric. The enticing vocal soundscapes by Lizzy De Lise add another cosmic texture + rhythm to the stunning acrobatic shapes + wise improvisational offers from the cast. One of my favourite moments was when the soundscape ended + Kevin hilariously continued his own vocal interpretation the song. This show holds more space for impulse + happy accidents than any other circus show I’ve seen - the question 'was that by accident or was that on purpose?’ is interwoven into the fabric of the show + constantly provokes us to openly interpret + really play with the performers. It supports the audience to witness circus with expanded expectations, rather than the transactional, entertainment relationships they may be used to.

I Think It Could Work is a much-needed + highly playful spanner in the works for Contemporary Circus. You could feel each performer’s unique essence shining through the beautiful web of this trio’s interconnectedness. Full Out Formula are the cartographers of a more curious + connective circus future - I cannot wait to see what they do next.