Moss Meunier
This stunning circus act delves into the significance of land and the relationships we form with it, using the language of acrobatics to deliver stellar storytelling and acting. It’s captivating to watch, offering an experience that feels uniquely suited to the circus.
The central theme of this piece is land acknowledgment, a practice performed on colonised land in countries like Australia to honour the history of that land and its importance to specific cultures or tribes. Of The Land On Which We Meet explores this concept through circus, dance, and physical theatre, probing our relationship to land and history. The show examines the connection between the First Nations people of Australia and their land, while also addressing immigrant narratives and the experiences of those descended from settler colonialists. Each acrobat embodies one of these perspectives.
The acrobats create visually stunning, and at times uncomfortable and violent, tableaus that serve as a meta-commentary on circus and acrobatics, illustrating their relationship with land and with each other. The audience is entranced by the extraordinary displays of human strength and flexibility, as the performers lift each other onto their shoulders in a state of complete focus. These moments are juxtaposed with more unsettling scenes, such as when the Indigenous acrobat is twisted and thrown by the acrobat descended from colonial settlers. This stark contrast serves as a reminder that while there are collaborative ways to support one another, there are also brutal and twisted methods of building on others.
What makes this show truly outstanding is how the art of the circus is woven into the narrative. It’s not just a vehicle to illustrate the idea of land, but also a powerful message about collaboration and the ways we build on each other. The use of reddish dirt to enhance grip in the more technically challenging stunts also carries symbolic weight, as the performers leave marks on the ground and on their bodies with the soil. The body as a metaphor for land and home is established early on, drawing a parallel between the marks left in the foundation of a house and the scars left on a body. Of The Land On Which We Meet turns land into a living entity that deserves acknowledgment and respect, as much as any person.
Captivating, breathtaking, and profoundly moving—this show will change the way you think about home and your relationship to it.
Recommended Drink: I suggest a glass of water to recover from the adrenaline spike that is watching three people stand on top of each other. Truly terrifying.
You can catch Of the Land on Which We Meet at Assembly Checkpoint – Assembly Checkpoint from Aug 20-25 at 17:30. Tickets are available through the EdFringe Box Office.
Jake Mace
Phoebe Bakker
