Dispersion

The National Institute of Circus Arts presents Dispersion—a contemporary, abstract circus work set to live improvised music, exploring the forces that both separate and bind humankind.

Co-directors Zebastian Hunter, who is fresh from working on Barnum the Circus Musical, and Meredith Kitchen, lead NICA’s cohort of 2nd year performers in the daring 60-minute production by future circus stars. With a cast of 15 the show explores the notions of cultural identity—from the initial evolution of a collective species into diverse tribes—to the modern, globalised world where cultural identity can be more obscure.

In a spectacular display of circus, movement and physical theatre, performers will flip, soar, skip and contort to conquer a swinging Russian bar, a double tightwire and a group rope performance. A live band featuring drummer Chris Lewis (former Circus Oz Musical Director), guitarist Kathleen Halloran (Kate Ceberano, Kathleen Halloran Trio) and Dr Jenny Game-Lopata underscores the performance. These improvising musicians will traverse the musical globe, drawing styles from countries around the world.