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.
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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.

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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