Circus Oz Artistic Director, Rob Tannion, says, "If you think you know Circus Oz, you might be surprised. Come and experience Model Citizens for yourself. We dare you."
Following an acclaimed three-month AustralIan East coast tour, Circus Oz is excited to present the first show for the company directed by Rob Tannion - Model Citizens - when it has its Melbourne premiere under the Circus Oz Big Top at Birrarung Marr from 20 June - 16 July 2017.
"For the Circus Oz Big Top premiere, Model Citizens will be specially adapted from the current touring production model for traditional proscenium arch theatres to a show that is expanded to fill the generous dimensions of the large Big Top space. This will include increasing the ensemble to 15 by introducing five new artists," said Tannion.
"To enhance the audience's experience within the gorgeous Big Top, we want to go large. More flavour. More mouth-watering circus. More spectacular moments. A bigger set. More original music. More stunning lights. And importantly, new acts from incredible national and International Artists," explained Tannion.
Joining the Circus Oz Model Citizens artists will be cellist Michelle Johns, aerialist Tania Cervantes Chamorro, Spanish slack rope performer and violinist Alexander Weibel Weibel, acrobat Lachlan Sukro (who joined the Model Citizens ensemble early in the tour) and veteran Circus Oz performer, Matt Wilson, will return as the spruiker and join the band on stage.
Model Citizens seamlessly blends the risk and beauty of breathtaking physical improbability with theatricality, choreography and Circus Oz's distinct brand of Australian humour.
Stunningly lit and driven by a sensational live music soundtrack, Model Citizens unfolds within a cleverly designed model-kit world that challenges perspective, scale and concepts of normality. In Model Citizens over-sized, everyday objects are used as unexpected circus equipment that create an intriguing new playground for the all-human ensemble.
Acrobats back-flip off a giant vertical clothes peg, scale an 8 foot safety pin, roll bowling balls haphazardly, unzip giant zippers, gracefully evade knives or fire, balance on a house of enormous credit cards and fly high in an enormous pair of aerial undies!
Exposing circus skills in unconventional ways, Model Citizens will present dynamic group acrobatics with a twist: a ten-pin roué cyr act, quirky ball juggling out of a box, diving through giant scissors, hard-core hula-hoops and hanging pyjama escapism.
Model Citizens is a visually and emotionally charged journey by the multi-talented Circus Oz ensemble, which audaciously unpacks the myths of modern Australia and exploring what it really means to be a model citizen in the 'lucky' country today.
Model Citizens artistic team
Rob Tannion (concept and artistic direction), Anni Davey (Touring Show Director), Laurel Frank (costume design), Michael Baxter (production design), Sian James-Holland (lighting design), Ania Reynolds (musical direction), Ryan Taplin (rigging design), Maddy Seach (head of lighting), Reuben Hopkins (sound engineer), Tim Coldwell (senior circus artist), Sebastien Pasche and Mitch Jones (provocateurs), Cath Carmody (stage manager) and Vince van Berkel (associate artist and ensemble trainer).
Model Citizens creative collaborating artists
Alexander Weibel Weibel, Ania Reynolds (musician), Freyja Edney, Jake Silvestro, Jarred Dewey, Jeremy Hopkins (musician), Lachlan Sukro, Luke Ha, Matt Wilson (spruiker and musician), Michelle Johns (musician), Mitch Jones (aka Captain Ruin), Olivia Porter, Roseanne Chalker-McGann, Steph Mouat and Tania Cervantes Chamorro.
For tickets visit ticketek.com.au and for more information visit circusoz.com.
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