HARLEY Mann, director of Aboriginal circus group Na Djinang, creates work that is as emotive as it is visually stunning. Their performances combine physical theatre, contemporary dance, and storytelling, engaging body, mind, and spirit. Following the acclaim of Arterial at Frankston Arts Centre last year, Na Djinang returns with their latest show, Of The Land On Which We Meet, on Friday, April 10.
The performance invites audiences to reflect on what being on country truly means. Mann, a Waka Waka man, describes country as “the intimate relationship we have with the whole ecosystem – the land, the people, the animals, and how these elements interact.” The show is a call-and-response between performers and audience, a shared breath and presence that builds connection and understanding.
“Of The Land On Which We Meet was born out of hope,” Mann explains. “The hope is that as a society, we don’t continue to make the same mistakes.” The work explores place, connection, and intention, while asking audiences to be fully present.
The three performers, all from different regions, must quickly develop trust to execute physically demanding feats. “Circus is a savage art form. The performers have to hurt each other to make the work. Trust comes from a sense of safety and vulnerability,” Mann says. Through this intense collaboration, the impossible becomes possible—a metaphor for connection and belonging in the wider world.
Na Djinang’s show is both thrilling and intimate, blending words, motion, and emotion. “Circus gives the audience a felt experience, while text fills in the nuances. Together they create a deeply visceral and spiritual journey,” Mann says.
Don’t miss this unique celebration of Indigenous storytelling and circus on Friday 10 April, 7.30pm. Tickets at thefac.com.au or by calling 9784 1060.
