GO/NO GO
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https://www.theatreworks.org.au/2025/go-no-go
Date Reviewed: 15/10/2025
GO/NO GO is a GO YES YES! This eight-person circus theatre ensemble is a must see. A breath taking blend of acrobatics, aerials, storytelling and song that will leave you inspired, in awe and uplifted.
“Go Break Barriers” was the rallying cry woven throughout the show that celebrates the grit, courage and determination of women who fought to join the space race, demanding recognition as astronauts and equals in a field dominated by men.
From the first moments, the energy is electric. The performers move effortlessly across the improvised space training centre and demonstrate the sheer physicality of their skill and work. Every lift, tumble and balance is executed with both strength and grace, perfectly timed to live vocals that soar through the space like an anthem for resilience. The ringmaster’s powerful singing voice anchors the performance, guiding the audience through the lives of the women who underwent the rigorous astronaut testing programs of the 1960s — women whose ambitions were grounded not by ability, but by gender.
What makes GO/NO GO truly remarkable is how seamlessly it merges circus technique with narrative theatre. The story isn’t told between the tricks — it’s told through them. A suspended aerial sequence conveys the thrill of flight and the dizzying hope of opportunity; a balancing act becomes a metaphor for perseverance against impossible odds; a twist and entanglement in corde lisse symbolises the psychological tests they endured. Each act builds on the last, reminding us that history’s breakthroughs are often borne of risk, teamwork and perseverance.
The cast’s stamina is astounding. They perform flips, climbs and contortions while delivering passionate monologues and character-driven storytelling. Their physical expression becomes a language of its own — raw, expressive and deeply human. By the show’s end, the audience is left breathless, not just from the spectacle, but from the emotional resonance of what these women achieved and what they were denied.
With its fusion of live music, championing female storytelling and jaw-dropping circus artistry, GO/NO GO is more than a performance — it’s an experience. It celebrates those who dared to reach for the stars and reminds us that courage, especially women’s courage, is often the most gravity-defying act of all.
Verdict: A triumphant, heart-pounding salute to women who refused to hear “no.” Go, absolutely GO.