How 'Model Citizens' Celebrates The Weird And The Wonderful Parts Of Circus

"I often equate circus to opera or musical theatre," Tannion says. "Because it draws from so many other art forms and is so multi-layered. As an artistic medium, it's so rich because you can use whatever tools you need to express what you want to say onstage."

Tannion is unmistakably someone with a lot to say. Aside from entertaining audiences with circus skills and stunts, he says Model Citizens is rich with political subtext, exploring what it means to be a model Australian in 2017. "I think we've got a lot of holdovers from previous generations in terms of what it means," he notes.

More than two decades spent working in dance and musical theatre overseas made Tannion think differently about his home country. "It gave me some perspective because I would say, 'We're Australia, we're the lucky country, we're multicultural.' And then I'd think, 'That's true, but are we? Are we really as diverse and accepting as we think we are?'"

These are clearly complex questions to be asking in any format. So how exactly does a circus show approach such tricky territory?

Tannion says they "tell stories visually and use metaphors through tricks and circus acts. There's a bit of dialogue, and we also use songs. Some are quite clearly political songs and others are piss-takes and satirical songs".

The show features live, original music written by Tannion in collaboration with the ensemble. Titles include The Intolerance Song and a pastiche of Waltzing Matilda called Worship My Weber.

"One of the other through-lines of the show is thinking: When should we fit in and be part of the status quo, and when should someone stop and speak out and be different?"

Despite its political themes, Tannion says the show is careful to avoid being preachy or partisan or offering answers to questions raised. "It's not about trying to claim any moral high ground or tell people what to think," he says. "If it does come to any conclusions, it's about celebrating individuality and saying that whatever anyone wants to do is valid."

In fact, Tannion says, that's what circus has always been about: embracing difference, the unusual and the unexpected. "For me," he says, "circus people really do embody individuality and diversity. One of the other through-lines of the show is thinking: When should we fit in and be part of the status quo, and when should someone stop and speak out and be different?"

Despite the grand ambitions of Model Citizens, Tannion is quick to defend the ability of circus shows to simply entertain and enthral.

"I'm not saying it's not valid to only have a show that's skills-based and incredible and wow. Some people are visually stimulated and others want to be intellectually stimulated. A good circus can do different things for different people."

Tannion notes that Circus Oz has a long history of poking fun and pushing buttons and boundaries.

"We're talking about a company that's 40 years old," he says. "And it was definitely built on ideas of social justice and community and looking at how we can question things through circus and humour. Clowning, especially, has always been about pushing social norms and doing things that you normally wouldn't get away with."

Despite ever-increasing entertainment options, Tannion remains optimistic about the enduring appeal of the circus.

"We've always been very resilient," he says. "And I think that tenacity will always be there. There are challenges but I think circus will survive, as it has done in various forms for a very long time."

Tannion believes part of the reason Circus Oz continues to thrive is that a show like Model Citizens can be enjoyed on multiple levels, whether audience members engage with its political elements or not.

"I'm hesitant to say it's a family show," he says, "because that denotes it's for kids. It's really an all-ages show: it's for everyone. The kids will laugh at that person doing the funny thing, or wow at that skill. But if we can also have something in the show that will inspire a question or a discussion, then we're in a good place."

Circus Oz presents Model Citizen 16 Jun — 20 Jul at The Big Top, Birrarung Marr.