KidzStuff’s latest school holiday offering, The Heidi and Sean Show, is a lively, expert display of circus skills. The highly talented international duo Heidi Jean Lougher and Sean Kaata Dwen perform a 35-minute showcase of their expertise – wrapped in a family-friendly package.
Set in the intimate space of the Tararua Tramping Club on Mt Victoria, the show immediately creates a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. Children are encouraged to sit on mats up front, drawing them into the action from the moment the performers burst onto the stage. There is no traditional set but clever use of props, lighting (by Deb McGuire), and music ensures the space feels playful and immersive.
Lougher and Dwen have a natural chemistry, honed through years of performing together internationally, and the audience — both adults and children — are clearly delighted by their antics. From juggling and balancing acts to whips and unicycles, there’s never a dull moment. The performers are skilled at reading the room, knowing just when to pause, when to push and when to invite a young volunteer up for a laugh.
A particular highlight is the climactic tall unicycle act, which brings a real sense of awe and exhilaration. It’s a bold and satisfying finale that ends the performance on a high note, quite literally.
The Heidi and Sean Show is must-do holiday theatre. It’s a wonderful example of what can be achieved with the right mix of training, talent, trust and timing.
Dev Rama (aged 6):
The Heidi and Sean Show was so great! First Sean did some cool hat tricks and then Heidi threw a hat onto Sean’s head! Heidi threw basketballs to Sean one by one, and Sean did some juggling. In one part they got a kid up to the stage to help with some tricks. Heidi used a whip to break spaghetti right out of Sean’s hand! At the end they got two grown ups to help Sean ride a really high unicycle while juggling! I had never seen any tricks like this before! It was so amazing and funny and cool!
Luna Rama (aged 9):
The Heidi and Sean Show is a circus show with performers called Heidi and Sean. They’re really trained and they’ve travelled the world performing in places like Iceland and Scotland. Sean is really good at juggling, doing tricks with balls and unicycling. Heidi is really good at using a whip, throwing things to Sean, and I really liked how she gallops around everywhere figuring out the best way to throw things. My favourite parts were all of it but in particular the unicycle, juggling basketballs, the whip and the sound the whip made (don’t be scared, she’s trained), the music, and how kids and grown-ups got to go on stage. Oh, that is all of it! Everyone will like it. I know that because it’s really funny and they’re really good at doing lots of tricks.
Review by Deborah Rea with Luna Rama and Dev Rama