Circa Cairns stages glowing encounter between smouldering traditions and fresh beginnings

First Nations led circus arts ensemble, Circa Cairns will celebrate the world premiere of its first creation, From Old Things on Wednesday 2 November 2022 at Bulmba-ja Arts Centre, Cairns.

Since opening in Queensland’s tropical city (Gimuy Country) earlier this year the Circa Cairns ensemble, under the creative direction of Wakka Wakka man Harley Mann, has developed an utterly fresh and powerfully urgent new work combining circus theatre with a culturally imbued narrative of First Peoples’ connection to tradition.

According to Harley, From Old Things stages a dramatic encounter between Australia’s newest circus company and the world’s oldest living culture.

Harley Mann:

In From Old Things we marry culture with physicality to explore a range of dynamics from rebellion to respect. With a striking set that features a burnt tree at its heart, the powerful symbol of fire ignites a series of touching acrobatic encounters to revisit the past while pondering the future.

From Old Things is, was, and will continue to be challenging. It forces us to look at ourselves as we stripped away layers of context, identity, and projected values to unearth the core of traditions and being traditional.

I am so proud of our team and this work which stares directly into the heart of our Peoples ways while venturing boldly and bravely into a new and contemporary world.

Featuring members of the Circa Cairns ensemble, From Old Things is performed across three acts to resolve the what, when and why while sound design by Yalanji man, Luke Briscoe rounds out an impeccable team delivering high production values.

In Short: From Old Things by Circa Cairns is a dramatic encounter between the world’s oldest living culture and Australia’s newest circus company. World premiere of From Old Things celebrates first performance season by director Harley Mann and the Circa Cairns ensemble, an initiative launched by Circa in July 2022

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Season Details

Venue: Bulmba-Ja Arts Centre, Cairns
Date: 2- 5 Nov 2022

For more information click HERE