Daily Liberal

The wild and wonderful death-defying Circus Oz explodes into Dubbo

Dive into the weird and wonderful world of Circus Oz's brand new show, Model Citizen.
Dive into the weird and wonderful world of Circus Oz's brand new show, Model Citizen.

Dubbo is about to be lit up by the fabulous Circus Oz, an incredible acrobatic ensemble who are bringing their daring and delightful new show, Model Citizens, to town on September 5th.

The rambunctious company is celebrating forty years of hair-raising performances and yet the show has never been more intriguing and exciting. 

Circus Oz is a rock ‘n’ roll, all-human circus that has influenced circus arts worldwide since 1978. In the years ensuing, the company has circumnavigated the globe performing for awe-struck audiences in over 100 cities and regions in 28 countries.

The longstanding appeal of Circus Oz could lie in the way the diverse team consistently create shows that present a mirror back to society, unpacking myths and narratives that leave a reverence in the air of the captivated audience.

The Model Citizens show will challenge everything you know about the physical capabilities of the human body.
The Model Citizens show will challenge everything you know about the physical capabilities of the human body.

Model Citizens is the latest audacious high-octane circus show designed to reflect on what it really means to live in modern Australia. The high-energy, two hour show is a visually and emotionally charged journey by the multi-talented ensemble, exploring the expectation of a model citizen in today’s ‘model kit’ society.

A wry humour is threaded through the physical feats of the theatre and choreography which unfold within the model-kit world reminiscent of the twisted scenes of Alice in Wonderland.

Oversized everyday objects team with unexpected circus equipment to create a burgeoning playground – expect nimble acrobats leaping backwards from a giant vertical clothes peg, only to become tangled in an oversized cotton reel, balance on a house of oversized collapsing cards and fly high in an enormous pair of aerial undies. 

The ensemble get themselves into some hair-raising situations, like climbing inside these jumbo knickers.
The ensemble get themselves into some hair-raising situations, like climbing inside these jumbo knickers.

Model Citizens was created specifically for the company by artistic director Rob Tannion. Tannion is a award-winning director, creator and choreographer who has worked internationally in circus, physical theatre, musicals and dance. 

Prior to returning home to take over the artistic direction of Circus Oz, Tannion was the artistic director of Organizacion Efimera in Madrid, alongside working as the Resident Director for the Spanish circus company Circo de los Horrores.

Tannion’s inspired vision for Circus Oz is to create a robust portfolio of shows and projects that stretch the imagination and physical limitations of human being. 

The team are celebrating 40 years and yet the show is a vivid and engaging experience never before seen in Australia.
The team are celebrating 40 years and yet the show is a vivid and engaging experience never before seen in Australia.

“2018 is a significant milestone for Circus Oz,” Tannion says.

“We’ve already kicked off with a huge Model Citizens four-week Sydney Festival season at Circus City in Parramatta and recently premiered a sell out season of NEON – the gloriously gaudy and glammed up ‘80s circus cabaret at the Karralyka Centre’s Ringwood Spiegeltent. And this was just in January. We have an exciting and diverse schedule of creative projects lined up for the rest of the year.”

Model Citizens is a daring and disruptive show of agility, death-defying stunts and acrobatics, irreverent comedy and a spectacular live band. It’s an incredible night out in Dubbo for young, old and everyone in between. 

The one-night-only show will take place September 5th at Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre. Tickets for adults are $48, while concession tickets cost $41 and youth tickets for $23. Get the whole team together for a discount – groups of 8 or more cost just $44 per person.