AMOR | D.I.V.E. Theatre Collective
All images: Barry John Alsop / Eyes Wide Open IMAGES
I am back to writing articles for the Arts in South East Queensland, but this time from my new home in the tranquil setting of Landsborough. It has been raining non-stop for days, and our house and yard feel like a swamp. Receiving an invitation to write about D.I.V.E. Theatre Collective's latest production Amor felt like a breath of fresh air, and I eagerly accepted the opportunity to be inspired and moved along with some free tickets to a local production. After securing this gig, I start researching the D.I.V.E., a Sunshine Coast-based, award-winning theatre collective consisting of a small team of artists. I immediately get the feeling that these individuals are creating meaningful work while actively engaging with the community, inspiring people from diverse backgrounds and walks of life.
Amor is the latest production by D.I.V.E, following the success of their award-winning work, Into the Light. The crew once again delivered a thought-provoking performance centered around the often-obsessed-about four-letter word – LOVE. The impact of the show was profound; it sparked something within me, prompting me to express my love for my partner in a more meaningful way that night. As we said goodnight, I whispered to her that I wanted to love her better, and she responded with a heartfelt "me too." The experience left me not only inspired but also feeling more connected. It was truly a win-win situation.
It has been such a long time writing for NEHIB or doing any type of real writing at all and not gunna lie, it was a stretch to get this across the line. ‘This’ being more of an article, not a review. A review feels pompous and pretentious and makes me feel a power imbalance, like what I have to say is somehow superior as a writer providing proof of value. So this is me telling you, like I would any friend, what I got out of it. And why you should go and see it for yourself.
I can’t actually remember the last time I attended any types of Arts events as my calendar now revolves around Basketball and Rugby training and what our kids have on their schedules. It was a rare opportunity for my partner and I to have some time off parenting and to enter into this physical theatre immersion centred around Love. Our conversations leading up to the event centred mostly around what we might expect, our feelings of anxiety at the possible confrontations we might experience as the audience. No stage, no seats. It immediately made me think of Promenade theatre where audience members stand and walk around rather than sit, watching the action happen among them and even following the performers and sometimes contributing to improvised responses.
All images: Barry John Alsop / Eyes Wide Open IMAGES
We arrived at the doors of the Old Ambulance Station where an exhibition was underway and the place was teeming with people drinking wine and soaking in the artwork. We wonder if this is the entry to the Black Box Theatre and someone inside must have read our unsureness and gestured to us to come in. A somewhat familiar face greets us and I realise it’s Priscila Da Cunha the Creative Producer of Amor who I’d recognised from a picture I saw online of D.I.V.E.
Friends greet us near the bar and we wander around a little, soaking in the art and colour of the room. It felt comforting to be in a space where Arts are the focus, Nambour quickly becoming a hot spot for creatives to stretch and find their wings. I get around the space and soon Priscila De Cunha walks in and stands on a small step in the gallery, welcoming us all into the space with an Acknowledgement of Country and provides a briefing as to what we all could expect. I ease at hearing the words ‘ you can participate in as much or as little as you want in the show, the only condition is that we ask that you don’t stand within two metres of any performers or equipment’.
My attention diverts to outside the gallery where I notice a performer walking through the front doors toward us all, some people hadn’t realised that the show was starting there and the performer starts talking to the audience directly, garnering eye contact whilst reciting a lyrical stanza. She walks through and connects with those she chooses inviting the audience into the ‘Allegory’. She beckons us up the stairs into the theatre space. The walking and standing audience find their comfort amongst the darkness and arrive around the space, I start to notice the low lighting and other performers standing awaiting activation, all dressed in black and red. I turn to a figure on the floor covered in red cloth and I slowly navigate my way around her in the darkness to continue on to find a good vantage point, I decide this based on not being too close to be ‘chosen’ but close enough to hear and feel the performance. The audience shuffles about nervously in the dark and people start fading into the edges of the room, until we all finally still.
The performers of Amor articulate perspectives of love through poetry, dance and aerial silk and skits of childhood connection to the learnings of Love. Metaphors and movement depicting the landscape of Amor while a protagonist reveals the child in all of us asking big questions. Two cheeky older sister types answer in riddles and more questions. They both seem to have more experience in love and tease her about her naivety. The script delivery is flawless as performers Bella Wanwei Liu, Mary Eggleston, Megan O’Hare and Valentina Ayala share perspectives and moments that create their inquiry-based philosophies. A transcription is etched into the wall in a particular skit stating ‘ Love’s Absence is an Illusion’.
All images: Barry John Alsop / Eyes Wide Open IMAGES
People come and go from their standing spots, moving around to follow the performances from different vantage points. This seems to offer a fresh perspective. It made me think about how we engage with love. Perhaps if we approached it from this angle, we might discover something new.
Amor is a symbolic representation that encourages us all to explore the deep-seated emotion that most of us believe is the most important. Love. Love in relationships is a primary way to build resilience in every aspect of our lives, from our parental relationships to our intimate ones. Do any of us find it easy to love? Or do we feel uneasy about it? We often present ourselves in a way that we believe is worthy of love, but how many of us can maintain this over the long term?
The following scenes seamlessly blend into one another. Each phrase is a delightful piece of poetry expertly delivered. I long to read the script in it’s entirety, so that what was shared could be later accessed as a source of wisdom. I contemplate returning for another night just to hear it all again. Recitals came through in various dialects and the tonality of each reminds us of love’s universality. We all can sometimes struggle in it, or thrive in it, regardless of cultural background.
In our quest for a fulfilling life, we yearn for meaningful connections with others, built on trust, mutual respect, and openness. However, life's challenges can sometimes hinder our ability to fully embrace love and let it into our lives. Each person has their own unique approach to seeking connection, but the pursuit can often be draining. It's widely accepted that without love, life can feel dull and lacking in purpose.
Amor brings us back into curiosity for Love, and is a meticulously crafted sensory experience that captivates the ears, eyes, and emotions of its audience. This beautifully intimate and insightful production is a must-see for anyone pondering the age-old question, "What is love?"
(baby don’t hurt me … don’t hurt me no more)
Amor by D.I.V.E. Theatre Collective plays at the Black Box Theatre at the Old Ambulance Station, Nambour until 18 May 2024.
