This week, a story about connection through theatricality and a night at the circus.

For Persephone, La Clique is both home and family. She shares childhood memories spent in circus cabaret wings, sketching and watching performers she now calls colleagues. 

The episode also features Harley Mann, custodian of Na Djinang Circus, a First Nations led contemporary troupe. Blending Indigenous themes with Western circus traditions, Harley explores “identity” and how “failures", both choreographed and accidental, bring authenticity to circuses, blending superhuman feats with human vulnerability.

Ending the episode is David Bates, Persephone’s father and founder of La Clique. Walking down the memory lane of La Clique’s past and its iconic Spiegel tent, the father-daughter look toward the future of circus and cabaret, celebrating its ever-evolving nature and its power to bring joy, and provoke thoughts.

Under the circus lights, we are all part of the act—each gasp, each clap a heartbeat in the night; a legacy that pulses wonder across generations.

This story was produced by Phoebe Adler-Ryan. With special thanks to Harley Mann, David Bates and Persephone D'Arbela Bates for sharing their stories.

You can see La Clique at the Sydney Opera House until November 17.

Find out more about Na Djinang and their next tour dates at: https://www.nadjinang.com.au/

Music Credits

This story featured Kotoba, Usufruct, Primordial by Nuisance from the Free Music Archive.

And music from La Clique including Hurry On Down by Madam And The Rent Party, Curtain Call by La Soirée and the La Clique Trailer theme.