SON from Circa Cairns

SON Created by Harley Mann, Alexander Berlage and the Circa Cairns Ensemble with Kardajala Kirridarra. 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 quartet 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. Co-directed by Harley Mann and Alex Berlage, don’t miss this world premiere event and revelatory circus experience. ________________________________ Co-Directors Harley Mann and Alexander Berlage Musical Quartet Kardajala Kirridarra Lighting Designer Alexander Berlage Costume Designer Isabel Hudson Circa Cairns is a Circa initiative supported by the Queensland Government and the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation. Circa Cairns is based in Gimuy (Cairns) on the lands of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people. We acknowledge that art has been practiced here over many millennia, and that it remains a fundamental way of life for the traditional caretakers and custodians of the lands on which we work, create and perform today. We acknowledge that we are here as visitors, and accept the responsibility to respect and care for these lands and tread lightly. Always was. Always will be.