Footscray Community Arts is set to host the world premiere of In Place, a groundbreaking contemporary circus performance by Na Djinang Circus.
Running from October 16 to 20, the Na Djinang Circus‘ In Place is the culmination of a year-long exploration of humanity, culture and the land, inviting audiences to reflect on the profound connections between people and place.
The highly ambitious work will be showing at Footscray Community Arts from October 16 to 20 as part of the Melbourne International Fringe Festival’s acclaimed Deadly Fringe programming.
In Place
- October 16 to 20
- Footscray Community Arts
- Tickets here
Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
View this post on Instagram
Bringing together acrobatics, history, storytelling and local flora, this performance is set to be both riveting and touching. At the heart of In Place lies a powerful message. Examining the connection between the people and the land, the show ponders where we stand when Country is displaced and decided.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a complex understanding of plants and the environment,” says Director and founder of Na Djinang Circus, Wakka Wakka man Harley Mann. “Over generations, they have listened to the land and learnt what can be used as foods, medicines and seasonal indicators. This knowledge is embedded and passed down through stories and tradition.”
To emphasize the connection to nature, the performance features local flora, drawing inspiration from four native plant species and their unique histories. The Na Djinang Circus worked closely with the Iramoo Grassland Centre Nursery at Victoria University to cultivate and distribute the plants to locals.
For the past year, 100 local participants have nurtured these plants, fostering a deep bond with the land and each other. Their shared journey serves as a poignant backdrop for the performance, calling attention to themes of displacement and connection.
The ensemble features talented performers, including Isabelle Champagne-Chittick, Johnathan Brown and Manelaya Kaydos-Nitis, alongside guest artists Zach Johnson, Maggie Church-Kopp and Michael McDonald. Through its innovative approach, Na Djinang Circus aims to challenge perceptions of contemporary Australian society and inspire the next generation to engage with these critical themes.
Unique and mesmerising, In Place promises to be an unmissable event that not only entertains but also deepens our understanding of Culture, community and the land we inhabit.
For more information on In Place, head here.
