For the very first time in Sydney, audiences have the opportunity to see the award-winning contemporary circus show, Chasing Smoke, for five nights only from 9 July as part of the 2019 Bondi Feast.
Winner of the 2017 Green Room Award for Best Contemporary Circus, Chasing Smoke is an evocative and triumphant work that stokes the fires of identity, adversity and success for a unique cohort of young Australians.
Featuring Australia’s only Indigenous contemporary circus ensemble, – led by Samoan-Australian director and Casus Circus co-founder Natano Fa’anana (Polytoxic; Briefs), Chasing Smoke is performed by First Nations circus stars Lara Croydon, Ally Humphris, Johnny Brown, Dylan Singh and Pearl Tia Thompson.
Originally produced by Circus Oz via their BLAKflip program, Chasing Smoke premiered to critical and audience acclaim at the inaugural Yirramboi Festival in 2017, praised for its striking aerial, dance, sketch comedy and floor-based routines.
Following its debut, Chasing Smoke was taken on by Brisbane-based Casus Circus, who has emerged as one of the world’s leading contemporary circus ensembles, with audiences exceeding 400,000 in 22 countries worldwide.
Casus co-founder and Chasing Smoke director Fa’anana said the work offered a glimpse into the world’s oldest living culture through jaw-dropping contemporary circus.
“In an age where culture, tradition, land and identity are under threat, Chasing Smoke is the spark that ignites the question ‘Who am I?’ from a collective who has 65,000 years of history to sift through in search of an answer,” said Fa’anana.
“These deadly rising stars of Australian contemporary circus pull no punches in sharing their intimate personal stories, each offering a unique stance on what it is like to be at the pinnacle of the world’s oldest living culture.”
The Bondi Feast performances of Chasing Smoke takes place during NAIDOC Week, which runs 7 – 14 July 2019. NAIDOC is a showcase of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, heritage and cultures, and acknowledges and celebrates First Australians’ achievements and contributions.
Chasing Smoke
Parlour Tent – Bondi Feast, 1 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach
Season: 9 – 13 July 2019
Bookings: www.bondifeast.com.au
Chasing Smoke will also play one show only at the Seven Hills Hub (QLD) as part of Black History Month on Sunday 7 July 2019. For more information about Casus Circus, visit: www.casus.com.au for details.
Image: Chasing Smoke – photo by Rob Blackburn