Melon the Human, AKA Thomas Stewart, a Brisbane-based artist and former Cirque du Soleil performer, is presenting his new show Assume People Like You at Fringe World.

Melon describes his show as a mix of breathtaking circus spectacle and the humour of The Office. Featuring object manipulation, contortion and his spectacular spinning cube, Assume People Like You is a show all about awkwardness.

Melon wants you to meet “the person I think I am, the person I want to be and the person I inevitably end up being because I’ve overthought the whole thing.” He builds the impression of a character who is loveable, but incapable of assured human contact. Whether it’s his weird skills or his awkward clowning around, Melon says he hopes there’s something in his performance that’ll stay with audiences. 

“The show is about connecting, so maybe people can use the things they see in my show to connect with others?”

Ahead of the season, Seesaw Mag’s Rachel Denham-White spoke to Melon to find out more.

Rachel Denham-White: For Seesaw Mag readers who don’t know you, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your work?

Melon: I’m Melon the Human, or Thomas. I was a high school teacher who had his quarter life crisis and decided to pursue performing as a career, choosing circus because it seemed to be the least subjective and least competitive of the arts.

I elected to specialise in contortion and object manipulation (juggling, but not the traditional style) because no one else was doing it, and four years later I was recruited by Cirque du Soleil.

When every performer was stuck at home during the pandemic, I spent this time creating my own show, which I premiered at the inaugural CIRCFest Meanjin in Brisbane, before taking it to Edinburgh Fringe.

I always try to leave audiences thinking “what did I just watch?”, whether it be because of my high skill level, or because I did something weird knowing I can justify it with my high skill level.

RDW: Tell us about Assume People Like You, the show you’re performing at Fringe World.

Melon: Assume People Like You (or APLY) is about that feeling when you are at a party and you don’t know anyone, so you start to panic. You dwell on that feeling of loneliness whilst wishing there was a cinema equivalent to a party, but deep down you know that when you go to the cinema, you prefer to be left alone.

Using the magic of circus, I bring this feeling to life.

RDW: What inspired you to make APLY? What is the story behind the work?

Melon: I know I’m not a sexy guy, I struggle being suave, so I’ve focused on what I do best: Awkwardness. I was inspired by the comedy that could come from embracing my quirks. \

Social anxiety is felt by many people and if we let it hold us back, we miss out on a lot. You can find friends in the most unsuspecting places – why not in a circus tent in a fringe? I want people to walk out not sure of what they’ve witnessed and feeling less alone. 

RDW: Take us behind the scenes of your show – what happens during the creative
process? 

Melon: I’m a mathematical performer and creator, but my creative process is also a bit mental – I have a constantly changing spreadsheet of the show which I play out in my head and make adjustments.

Now that I’m entering the final month before show time, I’ll be training daily again. I’m also a street performer, it’s interesting to see the difference in audiences, and what works on the street shows might not necessarily work in the theatre.

RDW: What’s next for you after this?

Melon: I will return to the classroom and inspire the children of the future through the magic of the English Curriculum. Students will be left astounded through their use of language features and conventions and the numerous ways they can apply it to persuasive speeches and movie reviews. They will look me in the eye and say, “Sir, why are we doing this, when will I ever use this?” A tear will form in my eye as I think about how hopefully, someone saw my show at Fringe World 2023 and is interested in booking it.  

RDW: What is your favourite part of the playground?

Melon: The flying fox, but not the small three metre variants, I’m talking about the 30 metre flying foxes reserved for the best of parks.

Unlike many other attractions at the playground, the flying fox is open to experimentation, which encourages multiple rides. Unlike swings and slides, the flying fox encourages you, the rider, to try different positions, different take-offs and allows you to set different goals, like top speeds, highest lift off and the most competitive: the longest rebound.

Combine all of this with the natural exhilaration of flying in the air, like a bird, which other lame playground equipment can’t do, and you are presented with the best part of the playground.

ASSUME PEOPLE LIKE YOU will be staged in The Parlour, Perth Cultural Centre from 20 January – 5 February 2023

This article is sponsored content.

Seesaw offers Q&As as part of its suite of advertising and sponsored content options. For more information head to https://www.seesawmag.com.au/contact/advertise