Circus Oz presents Model Citizens

In the last few months I’ve done a bunch of work with Circus Oz documenting their new show ‘Model Citizens’. Its the first show directed by new Artistic Director Rob Tannion .Rob has been based in Europe for the last 23 years , early on performing with the renowned company – DV8 Physical Theatre – UK, then doing a slew of creative pursuits from co-founding companies (Stan Won’t Dance – Uk)  to creating and directing internationally touring dance, circus & physical theatre works, as well as being a sought after choreographer for big musicals and film & TV. Circus Oz has dragged Rob back from sunny Madrid to cold-but-lovely Melbourne town to artistically spearhead their next phase. He along with the performers, musicians and the creative team off stage, have created a highly skilled, stylish and ever so slightly darker show than what Circus oz audiences are maybe used to but darker is right up my alley.

I want to make special mention about my old homeboy Michael Baxter who has done an awesome job designing the show – his highlight being creating a giant pair of Aerial Undies!

Behind The Scenes Video –

Back in March I caught up with the crew at Circus Oz‘s home base in Collingwood, Melbourne for a day, just before they went out on regional tour, like just days before hand, so I expect the last thing they wanted was me putting a camera in their face and lurking around in the background haha, lucky most of them are old mates who either ignored me or reluctantly agreed for me to get some vox-pops of them. This little ‘Behind the Scenes‘ video is the result –

Model Citizens -Short Promo

Then a couple of months later they got me to come up to the Gold Coast Arts Centre and shoot the show to create a short promo, I dragged along a couple of my trusted collaborators and camera guys – Zac Lovett and my man Mik Lavage to capture it with me, thanks fellas. Here it is –

Photographs –

A bit of background on the gallery of pics above for those interested – I took them when the show was at Norpa in Lismore, Northern NSW. I was way up the back and couldn’t get any closer which was ok as I was doing it just to add to my archives, besides in between taking pics it meant that I could hassle my friend and touring show Director Anni Davey as she was trying to take notes, sorry Anni! I shot using a 70 -200 mm lens, shooting in Raw & large Jpegs – which meant I could crop right in on the pic. Then I ‘hacked’ into them on photoshop, tweaking them to my desired level of grit & grain.

I hope you enjoyed this mainly visual post.

Big thanks to all the crew for putting up with my camera in your faces.

Make sure  you go and check out Model Citizens if it comes to a town near you –

Melbourne Season is about to open next week – 2o June – 16 July in the Big Top at Birrarung Marr – You can book HERE. 

*NB: I’ll add some pix that I take next week in the Big Top.

Cheers,

Hamish

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