Harpies | Eli Free
review, physical theatre, theatre Ophelia Novak review, physical theatre, theatre Ophelia Novak

Harpies | Eli Free

At times graceful and at others deliberately repugnant, these actors gave their all for this show, creating a sense of community with each other and their audience as they progressed. They also involved other artistic elements including electric guitar, puppetry and roving, and it was clear that this is a multi talented, local cast.

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Jack Sharpe and The Curse of The Forbidden Fruit | Fake Blood
theatre, review, physical theatre Catherine Lawrence theatre, review, physical theatre Catherine Lawrence

Jack Sharpe and The Curse of The Forbidden Fruit | Fake Blood

I loved the detailed research, the entertaining Harry Potter and Indiana Jones references, the story arc of the show, and the high-energy performances by each of the three artists. And I enjoyed the clever use of the apples as a metaphor for opening the eyes of performers, creatives, commentators and audiences.

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Obstacle | Grace Longwill
review, theatre Triss Niemi review, theatre Triss Niemi

Obstacle | Grace Longwill

What a body does, what theatre does, what doing a body and doing theatre looks like are all for her to decide. She has created a space that is accessible to her in every sense and while this may disrupt the viewers sense of “good” and “polished” theatre, she doesn’t apologise for it and we (or at least I) don’t have a single complaint about it.

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Pierrot | Martelle Simon-Green
review, theatre Kati Murphy review, theatre Kati Murphy

Pierrot | Martelle Simon-Green

[Pierrot] was so intimate. I felt like it was just me and them and the simply dressed stage. I went with them wherever the performers took me. At times the performance was so tiny, but I was still with them, peeking into their stillness. I left feeling quite speechless which isn’t like me.

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Again, You Have Trusted Me | Sarah Stafford
theatre, performance art, review Nadia Jade theatre, performance art, review Nadia Jade

Again, You Have Trusted Me | Sarah Stafford

I think I’m a fan because Stafford can silence a room as easily as she can get one onside, and that’s a skill, an artist that makes work that’s rough and stabby and is Not For Everyone. It’s so refreshing actually. I actually can’t think of another work I’ve seen in ages that felt so sharp-edged, so fresh in style and tone as this strange dark tonic.

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Howling Jackals | Micah Rustichelli
review, installation & visual art Kaylee Vera review, installation & visual art Kaylee Vera

Howling Jackals | Micah Rustichelli

Howling Jackals is an exhibition of dichotomies; beauty and destruction, sacrifice and redemption, faith and hopelessness, god and godlessness, ice and fire, and blue and red. Micah Rustichelli has created an installation that explores the days after the rapture through provocative symbology and biblical themes that would make a theology professor blush.

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Sad Boys Luv Art | Baby Blue
review, theatre Kaylee Vera review, theatre Kaylee Vera

Sad Boys Luv Art | Baby Blue

Dance, drag, costume, and performance come together in Baby Blue’s Sad Boys Luv Art. The show is a journey through male femininity that seeks audience interaction and reflection. Thalia Novela leads travellers through a fantasy world, with each new location introducing a new mythical creature. These magical entities are portrayed by Luna Thicc, Brandi Doll, Bailey Strothmann, Crimson Coco, and of course, Baby Blue.

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"Backbone Festival is a testament to the resilience, creativity and abilities of young artists." Sampson Smith on the 2022 Backbone Festival.
article, festival, interview Ads J article, festival, interview Ads J

"Backbone Festival is a testament to the resilience, creativity and abilities of young artists." Sampson Smith on the 2022 Backbone Festival.

It feels incredible to be a part of the beginning of their journeys, and it’s wonderful to see where artists and works from Backbone end up. I’m particularly excited about presenting the new work of our three Pilot Artists in Residence; Howling Jackals by Micah Rustichelli, Sad Boys Luv Art by Baby Blue, and Pierrot by Martelle Simon-Green.

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Rhythmology | Tyson Goddard & Backbone
dance, performance art, review Ofa Fanaika dance, performance art, review Ofa Fanaika

Rhythmology | Tyson Goddard & Backbone

It’s 7pm and I don’t want to be late and as we arrive a few minutes past the hour and do the obligatory check-ins, we see the place is teeming with POC people, the familiar feel of Backbone Youth Arts reeks of that uniquely old ozzy bowlo vibe, but as we enter through the next room, the set slips into a shimmering pink backdrop, fully seated with fabulousness dripping, geometry in the ceiling, warm hues with lighting low, you can feel the vibration from the punters peaking with jittered excitement.

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Hysteria | Chelsea McGuffin & Co and Backbone
circus Dr Fed circus Dr Fed

Hysteria | Chelsea McGuffin & Co and Backbone

I find circus to be a great interpretative tool to represent mental distress. Very much like mental health, the success of circus relies on balancing skills. The main act of Hysteria was funambulism (tightrope), with performers walking and even cycling on the rope throughout the show. What I appreciated the most about these acts of funambulism was when the performers walked together, balanced each other out, and helped each other getting to the other side of the rope. Again, just like mental health, circus is better with the support of other.

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"We are here to say yes to your ideas and to help bring them to life" - Katherine Quigley on a new era for Backbone Arts
op-ed, article Katherine Quigley op-ed, article Katherine Quigley

"We are here to say yes to your ideas and to help bring them to life" - Katherine Quigley on a new era for Backbone Arts

“It takes a village to raise a child - and Backbone is just one part of that village for many children of all ages, we are here to say yes to your ideas and to help bring them to life. We are here to inspire creation. We are here to make sure that no matter what’s going on in your life, you have a place to call home, where you are loved and accepted for the complex and wonderful person you are."

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Same Penis Forever | Rebel Lyons
comedy, theatre, review Lauren Hale comedy, theatre, review Lauren Hale

Same Penis Forever | Rebel Lyons

Having married and divorced at the age of 24, Rebel Lyons draws upon her own experience to paint a full picture of the discomfort of butting up against a life that has been laid out for you. What a power move. Same Penis Forever was raw, wild, and unapologetic, with a heavy dose of elevator music.

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Absolute Objectivity | Backbone
musical, review Virag Dombay musical, review Virag Dombay

Absolute Objectivity | Backbone

A pop culture fairytale for the internet age, Sampson Smith’s new musical comedy Absolute Objectivity has finally downloaded its way into Backbone Youth Arts. Takes us on a journey to the world elections in the year 2054 where - since the mysterious disappearance of left-wing messiah Turny Banders - the CEO of the world’s largest, and only, corporation ‘Dooglecorp’ has run unopposed as World President for two decades. This journey is filled with rap battles, emotional ballads, sexy times and the most glamorous of costumes.

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Absolute Objectivity  |  Backbone
musical, review Lauren Hale musical, review Lauren Hale

Absolute Objectivity | Backbone

Backbone was transformed into a glowing corporate dystopia that conjured up visions of 2001: A Space Odyssey and the Apple store. The cast of six emerged clad in matching glittery silver suits and launched into it with the aptly titled, punchy ‘Opening Number’. They brought energy, mostly synchronised dancing and set the tone for one and a half hours of playful absurdity and witty banter.

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1.5x12 | Phluxus2 Dance Collective
dance, review Nadia Jade dance, review Nadia Jade

1.5x12 | Phluxus2 Dance Collective

“I’ve found time to recalibrate my understanding of self in this shifting terrain. More than ever I feel the deep value of my choreographic self, my collaborators, my community and the significance of arts and culture of our country.” Nerida Matthaei on creating in the new normal.

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