Blood, on-stage urination, dripping sweat, kissing, sychronised dancing, mud splatters, gasping tears, comforting hugs — there is nothing predictable about The Danger Ensemble's latest show 'Sons of Sin'.
Directed by Steven Mitchell Wright and featuring a cast of nine male actors, the production is unhinged — partly scripted, mostly improvised, animalistic and philosophical in equal measure — and there is no way to prepare for this.
As an audience member, you are both voyeur and participant, grappling with not only the lack of seating and constant demands but the relentless intensity of the content. Unsettling and confronting, the show is about young men in today's world, how they interact and communicate with each other, themselves and the rest of society.
And it's not pretty, but nor is it overly unexpected as more and more reports about drinking, violence, suicide and depression come to light. The choice of subject matter required fearlessness, the cast needed to show both brutality and a glimpse of their inner beauty, the production team had to think on their feet, be flexible and forward-thinking and the director needed to remain committed and calm.
On all accounts — this was achieved and the show will be unlike anything you have ever witnessed. Wear comfortable shoes and dark clothing, be prepared for anything and take away the lessons that present themselves. People are often the cruelest to themselves. Be kind.
'Sons of Sin' is playing at the Judith Wright Centre until May 25.
It's back... but bigger, better and much more brash.
The show's poster tagline reads “All male. All Vaudeville. All trash.” and that seems to sum it up perfectly. Fresh from glitter-bombing the globe, the cult variety show will return to their humble and dysfunctional Brisbane roots with a new show and new members, including Dallas Dellaforce.
Describe the show in 5 words?
Fast, furious, fabulous, flashy and feisty!
How is this different to the first 'Briefs'?
This incarnation has set out to raise the bar in terms of production. It will be slick and honed whilst remaining faithful to 'Briefs' hilarious and irreverent signature style.
What is your role/ part in this?
I play many roles within the show, ranging from intense and edgy characters to ridiculous caricatures. But, I think altogether I bring a different type of glamour to the mix.
I hear you also make costumes?
Yes, my background is in fashion design. I'm a visual artist and it really excites me to be able to contribute to 'Briefs' on this level. The boys are a dream to design for because they are all so goddamn gorgeous!
How do you decide on the looks?
The themes and acts that the boys have devised have really clear direction and have wonderful character development so it's very easy. I'm only responsible for a part of the show, the rest are the being overseen by the very talented Brisbane designer Nathalie Ryner.
And where did the idea/ inspiration for your name come from?
As a child I remember my mother telling me to stay away from a local bad boy called Dallas. Naturally as the forbidden fruit the name developed a certain mystique for me. I also love that it is traditionally a male name that has many connections to campy popular culture. Dellaforce was inspired by one of my favourite models, the stunning Carmen DelOrifice, whose career has spanned over half a century.
Fav moment in the show?
There really are too many to mention, but I am particularly excited about the 'Beast In Show' moment which is going to be as hilarious as it is spectacular. It blends character and skill and allows us each to shine in a really lighthearted way. It's going to be so much fun to perform!
Who is the craziest in the cast/ crew?
Wow, that is a hard one. I think there is a 'lil bit of mad cow in each of us. I have to say though that I would definitely be one of the more insane in this crazed crew!
'See 'Briefs: the Second Coming' at the Brisbane Powerhouse from May 21-26.
Fractal Theatre Productions has reimagined a cult classic 'Frankenstein'. Adapted from Mary Shelley's original by Brenna Lee-Cooney, this play meshes together mime, dance, text and song into a dramatic and riveting theatre experience.
The production also features original music by Eugene Gilfedder and dynamic choreography by Brian Lucas. As the creator of this gothic masterpiece, Brenna Lee-Cooney takes her cast and crew to dark places and demands the most from them. This looks to be an unmissable show and Cooney promises a show unlike any other.
Describe the show in 5 words?
Drama, dance and music revive Shelley's ‘Frankenstein’.
What is your role in the production and how did that come about?
I am the Director and adapter of the script. I founded the Fractal Theatre Productions company with my husband Eugene Gilfedder in 1989 and I have a history of creating new works for the company.
What is your past experiences with 'Frankenstein'?
Reading the novel primarily and then trying to avoid the spoofs which ignore the book pretty much entirely.
Why do you think it has such appeal after all this time?
It was the first of its kind. The Monster and Creator argument poses endless questions for humanity — especially with our current scientific possibilities.
What is the cast and crew like? I see you have some notable sorts like Eugene Gilfedder and Brian Lucas.
The cast are fantastic and work brilliantly in this ensemble context. They are multi-skilled and bring dance, circus and singing skills to their acting performances. Eugene Gilfedder has been Co-Artistic Director of Fractal since 1989. Brian Lucas has a passion for Shelley's novel 'Frankenstein' and has long wanted to be a part of creating a stage adaptation and so he has come on board as movement coach/ facilitator.
What is your favourite line in the play?
'I was born innocent, misery has made me a fiend.'
How is this version different to the countless that have been done before?
This version is different basically because it sticks to the original novel whereas most others diverge wildly. Very little has been changed other than to tease and flesh out characters more fully, based on the information and ideas provided in the book.
Any crazy/ weird/ funny behind-the-scenes stories?
Probably the craziest part — which has provided endless side-splitting moments during rehearsal — is the character Clerval being killed with a volume of the 'Kama Sutra'!
Anything else the readers should know?
There will be two midnight performances with a door prize for the best dressed monster and best dressed corpse bride.
'Frankenstein' will be staged at the Brisbane Arts Theatre from May 3-18 with two midnight shows on Saturday May 4 and 11.
It is time for the annual 'Roadshow', where a cast of travelling comedians hits the road to bring the hilarity of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to crowds all across Australia.
Now in its 15th year, ‘The Roadshow’ will combine a cast of local names, newcomers and overseas guests to spread their comedy chaos with far-flung audiences. One of the featured comedians this year is Tommy Little and he sheds some light on what really goes on when they're on the road.
Describe the show in 5 words?
Comedy comedy comedy comedy drinking.
What does your involvement look like?
That’s a very personal question, you show me your involvement first and then we can discuss mine.
Why this style of show?
Because we’re stand-up comedians so we thought a stand-up comedy show would really play to our strengths. We contemplated doing a Crusty Demons-style motorbike show but none of us can ride so we decided to just stick to comedy.
Do you have any weird/ awkward/ embarrassing stories from on stage?
If this interview was happening on a stage this would officially be the most awkward moment in my comedy career.
What do you admire most about your fellow comedians on the MICFR?
The fact that they can put up with spending day after day with me trapped in a minivan, that’s pretty impressive.
Who is the funniest out of all of you and why?
Cal Wilson because I think she is the most likely to read this article, love you Cal.
Anything else readers should know?
That they should come and see the show, we’ve got the best homegrown and international comedy stars coming to your town. It’s the only chance this year you’ll have to see live comedy this good so come out and support it. I hope to see you there for a beer and a chuckle.
See a fine selection of comedians at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow May 15-18 at the Brisbane Powerhouse.
‘Food', a play written by Steve Rodgers and starring Kate Box, Emma Jackson and Fayssal Bazzi, is a warm, delicious and tantalising experience. Food itself is integral to the play and to the events in the play with the audience invited to partake of the food (people in the audience were literally eating bread, soup and drinking wine).
The play is set in a small family takeaway shop, perched on the roadside of the great Australian highway in the late '70s/ early '80s. Based around the sisters Nancy (Jackson) and Elma (Box), who are like chalk and cheese, the play progresses and the underlying current of tension and resentment between them flows to the surface. Nancy has been away for 15 years — she escaped after a traumatic event and turned to travel and sex — whereas Elma stayed on at home and became focussed on food and order.
Everything changes when they take on Hakan, a sexy Turkish traveller, as a kitchen hand. Like a cat among the pigeons, Hakan stirs up emotions and the sisters are tested — can the girls forgive, forget and forge a new bond?
The mix of dancing, acting, cooking and cleaning was a delight and beautifully showcased the talented cast. The stage design was perfect with the backdrop of large pots dotted on the back wall simple yet dazzlingly effective. More pots are used to great effect as stools, steps, cooking utensils, and to catch the water leaking from the ceiling. The play has some laugh-out-loud moments which provided relief from the tension and heartache as layers of past hurts are slowly exposed and finally allowed to heal. Don't miss this — 'Food' is a nourishing night of theatre.
'Food' is playing a limited season at La Boite until April 27.
Brisbane Arts Theatre has a cracking collection of productions lined up for 2013 and the latest, 'Trivia' looks hilarious.
The play, written by local Brisbane author Stephen Vagg ('All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane'), is a laugh-out-loud comedy that has its own Trivia Master. Directed by veteran Ali Kerr, the story revolves around Michaela, who decides to get a team to enter a trivia competition. What happens next will change their lives. Two members of the cast — Cindy Nelson and Francesca Gasteen explain more.
Describe this show in 5 words?
CN: Funny, Charming, Honest - like me!
FG: Love. Life. Loss. Laughter.... and the friends that get you through (more than five words, sorry!)
What part do you play?
CN: I play Michaela, who gets the trivia team together.
FG: My role is AJ, the loveable and slightly neurotic best friend to Cindy Nelson's Michaela.
How did you become involved in this production?
FG: Cindy and I had the amazing opportunity of being in the original production, along with Steven Vagg, the writer, which played to sold out crowds at the Metro Arts in 2006. We've always had a particular soft spot for this play and when we heard the Arts Theatre had included it in their 2013 season and that the wonderful Ali Kerr was directing, we had to audition!
Your best line from the play?
CN: “Fell off a roof, did she?"
FG: “Australians don't give up, unless it's really, really hard”
What's your favourite trivia moment from your life?
CN: Playing trivia with my mum and step dad in a small English village for my mum's 50th birthday
FG: I get a little too competitive in pub trivia surrounds (it's something I don't like to talk about). So it'd have to be that feeling when you're playing Trivial Pursuit and you get all of the pieces of the pie.
Why should audiences come see this?
CN: They'll laugh. They'll cry. They'll wish they could shout out the answers.
FG: Primarily to have a good time - to laugh and maybe shed a tear with these highly relatable characters and situations.
Any crazy/ weird/ funny behind-the-scenes stories?
FG: There was a particular afternoon when Ali & Kym, our assistant director, took us to a pub to soak up the atmosphere so we could replicate it on stage and it turned into the best rehearsal of any production, ever. Especially with the addition of some unlikely cohorts in the shape of backpackers on a pub crawl!
CN: Yes! That rehearsal really tested the resolve of the actors to keep straight faces.
What's your top trivia tip?
CN: Go with your first answer. Then see if anyone else has the right one.
FG: Refrain from taking your smart phone to a trivia night. It can prove too tempting!
What do you want audiences to say as they leave?
FG: That they had fun — and that they'll tell all their friends to come along!
CN: Awwww.
Anything else readers should know?
CN: See it. You'll regret missing out when your mates tell you how good it was!
FG: If you've ever wanted to feel a part of a team, if you've ever laughed and cried with your mates, you'll love 'Trivia'.
'Trivia' is playing at the Brisbane Arts Theatre from March 23 – April 20.
This year marks the 24th annual Alliance Française French Film Festival and there is a smorgasbord of delicious films, events and offerings. The team behind the festival has concocted a mouth-watering selection of Gallic fare which incorporates 43 new films and documentaries.
In keeping with the food-related introduction, the acclaimed gastronomic delight, 'Haute Cuisine (Les Saveurs du Palais)', will launch the Festival. It is a film which tells the story of Hortense Laborie who, upon her appointment as personal chef to the President at the Elysée Palace, is faced with the challenge of creating culinary art in a world of political intrigue. And at the end of it all, for closing night, audiences will get the chance to experience a classic. Marcel Carné’s 1945 film 'Children of Paradise (Les Enfants du Paradis)' is a sweeping, period romance generally acknowledged as the greatest French film of all time, which has been meticulously restored from the original camera negative. Artistic Director, Emmanuelle Denavit-Feller, has again selected the most critically acclaimed and entertaining films to emerge from France’s thriving movie industry showcased across eight categories and include themes such as the universality of love, art and cinema, suspense, tales from our past, stories beyond fiction, inspiring women, laughter and tales for budding cinephiles.
The Alliance Française French Film Festival 2013 is on from March 14 – April 4 at the Palace Barracks and Palace Centro Cinemas.
Clancesty 2013 Is On For One Day Only Saturday March 2 At The Qpac Cultural Centre.
Describe the Brazil Film Festival in 5 words?
Andre: Sensual, Exquisite, Passionate, Festive, BRAZIL!
Ana: Soulful, Independent, Open-minded, Contemporary, Diverse.
What is your role?
Ana: I am the Festival Manager in Brisbane and Social Sustainability coordinator nationally. Here in Brisbane I do a bit of everything from coordinating with the venues and suppliers to going to the local businesses to drop off marketing material. There is a great deal of multitasking.
What makes Brazilian film different to other countries?
Andre: Each country's cinema reflects its dreams, its values, its pains and its ambitions. Brazil's cinema is no different. For a while the Brazilian film industry concentrated on depicting the urban violence that afflicts the country. Now the industry is diversifying and portraying other aspects of Brazilian society. On this Festival's edition we have two films from Brazil's gaucho south, the drama 'Less than Nothing' and the road movie 'Last Road to the Beach'. We also have a beautiful documentary on the Amazon rainforest, 'Amazonia Eterna'. This also reflects Brazilians' growing concern with protecting the natural endowment of their country.
Ana: The complexity of the Brazilian society reflects on its cinematography. Further of being a country of continental proportions and the fifth most populated in the world, Brazil is a truly multicultural society — we have the largest Japanese colony outside Japan, the Italians and the Jewish communities are substantial as well. Plus we have more Lebanese nationals living in Brazil than in Lebanon and we have the largest population of Afro-descendants outside of Africa. There are country towns in South Brazil where the population only speak German and we've had French invasions and Dutch invasions. In this developing country, scared by poverty, slavery and violence, there is a fusion of cultures of no precedents. We are so mixed that is impossible to tell where some traditions come from.
Any surprises tucked up your sleeve?
Ana: Of course, this will not only be a film festival but also a cultural experience and it is the chance to understand a bit of this complex country. We will have a discussion panel chaired by Mara Bun from Green Cross Australia with our goal to trace a parallel between Brazil and Australia and to show that in fact we face very similar issues regarding sustainable development and indigenous rights. We want people not only to watch a movie we want to make them think.
What makes a good film?
Andre: What makes a good wine? There are technical requirements, of course, but at the end of the day, a good wine is a wine you like. A good film is a film you like.
Ana: Soul
Who are some Brazilian filmmakers that we should keep our eyes on?
Andre: Brazil's top cinema brass include...
Walter Salles ('Motorcycle Diaries', 'On the Road', 'Central Station')
Fernando Meirelles ('City of God', 'Blindness', 'The Constant Gardener')
Hector Babenco ('Carandiru', 'At Play in the Fields of The Lord')
José Padilha ('Elite Squad I and II')
The Festival brings the best of the new crop, especially...
Afonso Poyart ('Two Rabbits')
Jose Henrique Fonseca ('Heleno')
Márcio de Lemos ('Imperfect Love')
Belisario Franca ('Amazônia Eterna')
Why should audiences come along rather than staying at home on their couch?
Ana: We will have it all from classical music to street-style carnival. We have a great selection of movies and good Brazilian movies are still really hard to access in Australia. If you miss one of our movies, it is very unlikely you will have the chance to rent it from your nearest video shop.
Anything else readers should know?
Ana: Brisbane has been taken over by commercial cinemas, when you go and watch one of our movies you are contributing to keep one of the few independent cinema theatres in Brisbane. Brazil Film Festival does not have the sponsorship and government support of the major international film festivals. Thanks to places like Schonell Theatre we can keep independent film festivals like this one alive.
The Brazil Film Festival Runs Feb 23 – March 3 At The Schonell Cinemas.
