In the Dark
Melbourne Fringe Festival 2008
Listing information:
Wed 18 March at 6.30pm
Thu 19 March at 2pm & 6.30pm
Fri 20 March at 6.30pm
Studio 1, Northcote Town Hall
Duration 40 minutes
Full $19 Conc $12
Bookings Tel: 03 9481 9500 or
03 9699 3253
TTY: 03 9699 4365 or
www.northcotetownhall.com.au
or www.gasworks.org.au
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
Fresh from securing the 2008 Melbourne International Arts Festival Award for Roundangle’s Fringe production Deceased Estate, sensory theatremaker Jodie Ahrens has re-convened the deaf, deafblind and fully-sensed team who created the sensorial epic Source/Sauce (3 Fringe awards in 2006) to present 4 preview shows of Roundangle’s new venture In the Dark as part of Art of Difference 2009.
Drawing on workshops and conversations with Roundangle’s deafblind performers (Heather Lawson and Michelle Stevens) and the wider deafblind community In the Dark is an exploration of fear and the resources we draw upon to overcome it. 2009 will see the continued development of the piece to prepare it for national and international touring. Exciting elements that are ready for enjoyment at this stage include:
Vibrational instrumentation (created by sound artists Madeleine Flynn & Tim Humphrey) which is helping re-connect Michelle Stevens to the musical expression that she lost along with her hearing nearly a decade ago.
The sensory theatre techniques such as sight deprivation (through blindfold or darkness), smell diffusion, moments of touch, taste and movement through space, that are at the foundation of Roundangle’s work.
Whilst relishing the opportunity to continue forging a theatrical genre that can include deafblind as both performers and audience, Jodie remains committed to the creation of work that answers first and foremost to its artistic demands - work which is ultimately challenging, transporting and accessible for all.
"Innovative, Transformational and Unique are rarely warranted to describe anything.
Source-Sauce is all these things" - audience member 2006
Artistic Director Jodie Ahrens
Sound Artists Madeleine Flynn, Tim Humphrey
Performers Heather Lawson, Jodee Mundy, Michelle Stevens, Medina Sumovic, Will Tait
