Common Dissonance

Part Dreamtime, part dance, part skilful acrobatics, the Brisbane debut of the award-winning Common Dissonance by Na Djinang Circus is a moving exploration by two bodies of what dissonance, conflict, love and reconciliation look like from a visual perspective. The two performers Sarah Gray (National Institute of Circus Acts graduate from Western Australia) and Johnathon Brown (Anawan/Kamilaroi man from Armidale in New South Wales and NAISDA Dance College graduate) work seamlessly together to amaze, shock and ultimately emotionally move us – because it is not just skilful balancing tricks (of which there are many, including exceptional trapeze and rope work): these two performers bring and intimate and enigmatic warmth to the piece as well. The physical strain but grace of the bodies means the themes are deeply felt and beautifully expressed. And because it is a man and woman, you can broaden the themes to gender equity and harmony in relationships too. It sounds complex, but it is beautifully and delicately concluded and the Cremorne audience I was with absolutely adored it.

Harrie Hogan’s lighting design and Tamara Keane’s costumes work well to allow the movement of the bodies to take centre stage. And an energising soundtrack includes dissonant tracks combined with beautiful First Nations voices, concluding with Gurrumul’s moving rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’.  

Melbourne-based Na Djinang Circus is a First Nations owned and operated creative, founded by Queensland-born Wakka Wakka man, Harley Mann, who also directs Common Dissonance. Harley says: “The intention for this work is to create a dialogue moving forward towards reconciliation so I felt that we needed to use a medium where we really saw two people who are both active and reliant on one another which is why the production is crafted mostly around partner acrobatics.” For me, it’s the perfect art form to explore these sensitive but important ideas. But this piece is not all serious: I love the playful relationship that Sarah and Johnathon convey on stage. And I really can’t wait to see more from this group of performers.

Beth Keehn

Find out more: www.qpac.com.au/event/fncommondissonance_23

Photographer: Bridget Brigg