Common Dissonance

Common-Dissonance-Harley-Mann-and-Isabelle-Champagne-Chittick-photo-by-A-FitzerFollowing the highly successful, Greenroom Award Nominated season at The Melba Speigeltent comes contemporary circus work, Common Dissonance, produced by Na Djinang Circus and directed by company founder and Wakka Wakka man Harley Mann, at Theatre Works this November.

In a 21st Century world where it is common to believe in both star signs and psychology, in Chinese medicine and pharmaceuticals, and in religion and science – how can we navigate the complex dialogues that consume contemporary culture?

For thousands of years in Australia, understanding of the world came from dreamtime stories, song lines, and oral histories all of which are still relevant to many Australians. Our environment is riddled with the hypocrisies of a culturally diverse past lingering in the wake of a globalized present.

Taking place as part of Theatre Works’ 2021 program in their newly renovated and COVIDsafe venue, Mann is performing alongside contemporary dancer and circus performer Isabelle Champagne-Chittick, using their distinctly contradictory upbringings as inspiration for the work.

Na Djinang Circus is working towards producing contemporary circus by and for young Australians establishing their social and artistic identity. With the company, Mann wants to “showcase the talent and unique insight of the next generation.”

This contemporary circus work aims not only to explore the harmony and conflict of contemporary Australian reasoning, but to find a Common Dissonance.


Common Dissonance
Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda
Season: 17 – 27 November 2021
Information and Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au

Image: Harley Mann and Isabelle Champagne-Chittick – photo by A. Fitzer