Posted by Danni Le Toullec on December 2, 2009
Have you ever had that dream where you find yourself in public wearing nothing but your undies?
Okay, now minus the underwear and put yourself in front of about 200 people, whilst remembering lines for a three hour production. Difficult is a bit of an understatement.
The Mysteries: Genesis is the debut performance for the Sydney Theatre Company’s troupe of permanent actors, The Residents. And yes, it must be said, there is a lot of nudity. Playwrights Hilary Bell and Lally Katz have reworked the biblical narratives of the Creation, the Fall, the Expulsion from Eden, Cain and Abel and Noah’s Ark.
Under the directorship of Matthew Lutton, Andrew Upton and Tom Wright, The Residents have certainly come out with a bang.
The Sound Designer Kingsley Reeve perfectly captured the raw emotion of this unique performance. The revamped space of Wharf 2 was intimate enough for each note to grip the audience and create a stage which was a character in itself.
The first act was certainly the most compelling, with inventive lighting from Paul Jackson plunging the theatre into total and complete darkness. It lasted just long enough for the audience to lose their bearings and feel the need to touch the ground, just to make sure they hadn’t floated away.
The stage was transformed into a wintry Eden, and God himself wandered around naked, patting down the small peaks of polystyrene with his feet. He creates the world as tiny white particles come down from the ceiling and surround him. A cheeky penguin represents all of Gods’ creatures and offers some comic relief from the more serious religious overtones.
The second act started off on a lighter note and with a lot more clothing. The space had been transformed so that the audience could mill around the bottom level as a band played on the upper floor. The tunes created the illusion of a dingy booze den. Their take on Velvet Underground's 'Run, Run, Run' was a definite highlight.
Act three opens with a tower of eight mattresses and a sleeping Noah. He desperately listens to his malfunctioning radio, waiting for God to communicate with him.
The flood rages and smothers the air with the sound of slashing rain and angry winds. Suddenly, all is quiet and a blue light eats up the base of the mattresses. The world has been washed clean.
Creation leads to destruction and for each time sins are washed away, the insidious tide creeps back. To err is to be human, and on the bright side, it sure makes for exciting theatre.
Photographer: Brett Boardman
Continue...
the residents, sydney theatre company, matthew lutton, andrew upton, tom wright, the mysteries, genesis
Posted by kluster on November 9, 2009
Sydney subscribers take note. Thanks to the Arts Radar in association with B Sharp we have two double passes to A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Belvoir St Downstairs Theatre, Surry Hills on 28th November to give away.
This Midsummer Night’s Dream is a theme-party about shattered innocence and the restoration of grace. Prepare for a glittering karaoke night of love ballads and curses, wedding songs and bestiality, culminating in a special nuptial performance by the acclaimed Rude Mechanicals of Peter Quince’s tragic masterpiece, Pyramus and Thisbe.
Directed by Eamon Flack
With Elizabeth Blackmore, Kit Brookman, Katharine Cullen, Gareth Davies, Charlie Garber, Andrew Lees, Anya Poukchanski, Tim Spencer & Tim Walter
These gifts are so good we’re opening them up to existing subscribers too, you just need to convince a friend to subscribe too. All entrants will be added to Kluster's subscriber list. Entries close 25th November, 2009.
To enter simply email info@kluster.com.au Email subject: My Summer Night’s Dream.
a midsummer night's dream, belvoir theatre, competitions
Posted by kluster on November 4, 2009
Here at Kluster we occasionally like to take our dose of creative culture with a dash of obscure. You too? Great, mainstream is so yawn worthy. Can’t afford tickets this week? You may be in luck. We’re giving one open-minded individual the chance to win a double pass to Burning Daylight on Friday 13th November at CarriageWorks, Sydney. Simply subscribe to be in the running.
Want to know more? Enter the event description:
It’s karaoke night, Broome style. Country meets hip hop meets Japanese love song. A lone cowboy blows into town, stirring its ghosts for a long and wild night. Past and present dance it out on the street as the unforgettable story of Australia’s “Asian Wild West” is told by intercultural and Indigenous performance company Marrugeku in their explosive yet haunting new dance theatre work, Burning Daylight.
Hitting Sydney’s premier address for contemporary arts, CarriageWorks, on Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 November; Burning Daylight is not-to-be-missed during its national tour.
burning daylight, carriageworks
Posted by kluster on October 14, 2009
Friday night at the New Theatre in Sydney's inner west surburb, Newtown brought week two of artistic director Augusta Supple’s production, Brand Spanking New, a refreshing intimate course of short stories.
A blend of talented unearthed writers and actors wove eight very different stories, wooing and challenging the audience. Short stories are are a notoriously difficult medium for engaging an audience. Thankfully, BSN managed to connect with their audience with great aplomb. Lone Bird, King of the Mountain and Bermuda Love Triangle were particularly well versed and had great comedic timing. If you missed it this year we reccomend you look out for Spanking next season.
brand spanking new, new theatre, newtown
Posted by KB on July 30, 2009
Theatre Forward is an alliance of graduates from NIDA’s directing course last year. Their debut production, The Sneeze, is a collection of five of Anton Chekhov’s adapted comic vaudevilles. Far from being heavy and dark, it was actually very funny. Who knew Chekhov could be so humorous? The Michael Frayn translated pieces are presented by five directors and five actors in this Australian premiere. It’s an exciting experiment and a testament of good things to come for this new collaboration.
I must admit, I did question the choice of Chekhov for such a young, dynamic group of directors, but their adaptation feels fresh and contemporary.
Being of the MTV generation, we love short stuff, so five short acts suits my tiny attention span beautifully. And as each one is presented by different directors, they all have a unique flavour.
The performances are tight, very physical and all consuming and we were along for the ride from the moment the lights came up.
It’s amazing to think these guys pulled the whole show together in three weeks. I think it’s safe to say there are exciting things to come for Theatreforward.
The Sneeze runs from Wed July 29th – Sat Aug 1st at NIDA Parade Studio, 215 Anzac Pde, Kensington.
the sneeze, nida