Son is a cultural circus work about the relationship between fathers and sons. Percolated through the classical tales of the Odyssey, Oedipus and Pinocchio; Son wrestles with the importance of the father in shaping the identity and masculinity of the son.
Inspired by Harley’s lived experience growing up in a single mother household and how it informed his masculinity, Son detaches itself from the Western model of family to celebrate Culture and Queerness.
Accompanied live by female First Nations music group Kardajala Kirridarra, the work is sung into existence with striking acrobatics and tempered cultural dance. We see four masculine First Nations acrobats for who they are, their physical strength and guarded vulnerabilities.
From sunset to sunrise follow the son as he questions his masculinity and identity through his journey into manhood. Part odyssey, part coming of age story, Son is pioneering circus on the cusp of tradition and revelation from First Nations led circus company Circa Cairns.
ABOUT
World Premiere: Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane, Australia – November 2023
Performers: 8 (4 Acrobats, 4 Musicians)
Duration: 80 minutes
Acknowledgements
Created by Harley Mann, Alexander Berlage and the Circa Cairns Ensemble with Kardajala Kirridarra.
Co-Directors Harley Mann and Alexander Berlage
Musical Quartet Kardajala Kirridarra
Lighting Designer Alexander Berlage
Circa Cairns is a Circa initiative supported by the Queensland Government and the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation. Circa Cairns is supported in 2022 by the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) fund – an Australian Government initiative.
Tour Dates
Past Dates
| Date | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 20th - 21st October 2023 | Cairns, Australia | Cairns Performing Arts Centre |
| 22nd - 25th November 2023 | Brisbane, Australia | Queensland Performing Arts Centre |