'Mental Illness Is Not A Crime' - a live art performance of ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian responses) experiences
'Mental Illness Is Not A Crime' is a one-hour immersive, interactive, and live art performance of ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian responses) experiences. With body painting, letter writing, hair brushing, as well as interaction with textures, foods, and scents, and ending with guided meditation, the show is an extension of a previous show with Vulcana Circus and Ruckus Brisbane. Inspired by artists Carolee Schneeman and Marina Abramovic, 'Mental Illness Is Not A Crime' aims to break down barriers between our mental and physical selves, and allow us to reconnect with others through immersion and touch.
"This is no 'Hallmark' magic show. This is a frank, raw portrayal of my life with Autism."
Autis-tricks is a magic show that uses the medium of magic tricks to talk about autism and my life experience. It's far more autobiographical than any previous show and a lot of the tricks have been custom created just for the show. Of course my style is often very snarky and satirical so it was important to not turn this into something soppy or cheesy. This is no "Hallmark" magic show. This is a frank, raw portrayal of my life with Autism. Although like in all magic shows I will lie to you; this show will be my truth.
"I write for emotional release, and to unlock wisdom that lies hidden under pain" - Menaka Thomas from 'On The Horizon'
The show feature original songs from Indian Fusion singer, Menaka Thomas. Menaka’s emotions are exemplified by the artistic expressions of Bindu Rajendren, an exquisite Indian Classical dancer. The crescendo of their combined energy is made even more palpable by the musical support of well-loved Brisbane musicians, Tsoof Baras (percussion), Meg Burstow (piano) and Evan Osborne (bass).
"I have been told that my voice changes lives" - Louise Winton sings for Anywhere Festival
“I was born to sing. I have been told that my voice changes lives. I refused to listen to those who said I couldn't make a career from singing. I have so much passion and emotion when I sing that I my audience loses themselves.”
Yes, we are talking about BDSM. But this is so much more than a kink story
If you’re a fan of the original novel by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, enjoyed 50 Shades of Grey, looking for some female empowerment or an entertaining piece of theatre that explores and pushes the taboo of many social issues, then Venus in Fur will appeal to you. But it is a show that you have to be over 21 to see.
Our host Natrasha Binit loves all kinds of trash…even you
Join Natrasha Binit and their riff riff group of circus artists and other waste material doe and evening of Absolute Trash. Absolute Trash is a circus cabaret show featuring aerialists, hand-balancing, contortion, foolery, and plenty of audience interaction, themed around waste. Absolute Trash is a joyous night out, with talented performers and opportunity for audience participation.
A powerhouse Australian ensemble cast bring to life six generations of the Gould family
This will be an absolute treat for anyone who loves theatre, who craves transformation. This is the first iteration of the play, a world first, with a professional cast performing in the most intimate possible setting.
Sandra will neither confirm or deny that she is, in fact, Willie Nelson’s love child
Sandra will neither confirm or deny that she is, in fact, Willie Nelson’s love child, born of a steamy night of passion in the back of the tour bus when it visited Brisbane back in the 70s……. the plaits and bandanna are usually a dead give away though.
"I love to inhabit my characters" - Jo Willans from 'Eve's Game'
“I love to inhabit my characters, dressing up, writing correspondence in their voice, reading what they might have read. It’s exciting and transformative. I found that I’m grateful to all of these women – the lady teachers, early suffragettes and advocates for workers’ rights. They’re the mothers of feminism.”
Anywhere Festival bringing the art to the people where they live, work and play
Anywhere Festival is a much loved Brisbane institution, which sees artists from all genres and calibres make art literally anywhere but a theatre. This year is their biggest yet, with performances spreading out across Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Ipswich. You can find an original performance in a forest in Maleny, to a nursery in West End, a jetty in Caboolture and a dog park in Noosa, a cross-fit gym in Ipswich, to a waste water treatment plant on the Gold Coast…
The Realistic Joneses | Ad Astra
The Joneses truly are realistic and aren’t afraid to speak their minds about subjects that society deems taboo or overshare intimate details. The tension this creates makes us laugh, but it also makes us reflect on what society governs as a respectable conversation and whether we should repress or embrace our awkward reactions.
Dance festivals in Australia are rare. Contemporary dance festivals are even rarer.
“From the moment a person sees an ad for Supercell through to when they’re travelling home is all a curated experience. It’s not just the performance, but what happens before and after, the food and beverage, who greets them at the door, how they find their way in, their safety, how they’re welcomed.”
“We can’t stop making art" - NDRNCE present a new work as part of the Young Artist Forum
NDRNCE applied to the development and found out, shortly after, that they were successful. They had one week in the space to put the show together.
“It was really good to have that time constraint, of ‘oh you’ve been thinking about it for a year, now do it”.
Vibrations | Dots+Loops
I am greeted by the delightfully odd, creatively fruity and ASMR-inspired sounds of Provocative Vibrations. Clearly extremely well thought and articulated and AT THE SAME TIME an unnerving chaotic mash-up of sound, action, noise and voice, this is a cool weird experience. There is something so delightful to think that right now, in Brisbane, there are people making such a fabulously strange mash-up of noises, and rehearsing them perfectly, and there are eager audiences out there braying to get a hold of it. It’s heart-warming, it really is.
Coterie Cabaret
The show is cheeky without being immature. Sexual acts and fetishes are truly celebrated, rather than used for a cheap joke. You may find this one a bit challenging if you’re adverse to exploration, liberation, diversity, and... packets of condoms being thrown into the audience. And honestly, if that’s you, I dare you to go.
Bigger & Blacker | Steven Oliver
Accompanied by Helpmann-Award winner Michael Griffiths on piano, the duo titillated the audience with their ‘naughty’, fun, original score. The spicy banter between Michael and Steven was nothing short of sensational, making them a formidable duo on stage.
Add a disco ball to the mix and you have a flawless match made in heaven!
Conviction | The Hive Collective
Beginning in darkness, four figures barely visible on stage, the tension is palpable. Together they deliver the one punchy monologue, setting the scene inside the wandering and turbulent creative mind of our protagonist, a self-critical independent writer. When the lights switch on, the characters launch into action in the writer’s latest play and we watch the action unfold seemingly as it is being written, edited, unwritten, and changed.
"It’s the weird house party of your dreams." - Dots+Loops bring forth their latest art mash-up
It’s the weird house party of your dreams! Picture a big party at your best mate’s Queenslander, add three awesome adventurous musical duos, and make it about 10% weirder than you currently have in mind. We have bulk drums, we have synths galore, we have a clothesline, it’s all there!
The Revolutionists | The Curators
The play is a comedy set in Paris during the late-1700s “reign of terror” … At first glance this all seems historical and far-away, but we are brought to the here and now through a comedic exploration of real and present themes: colonial oppression, women’s rights, and the intersectional beneficiaries (and lack thereof) of revolutionary movements.
The Revolutionists | The Curators
The Revolutionists is a hefty two-acter, coming in at over two hours, and Gunderson’s text is dense and full of witty one-liners and dialogue that hit you in the feels. To do the script justice, it requires a cast that can balance an impeccable comic timing with pathos and poignancy, and who are able to build the tension of the looming threat of Madame La Guillotine. All four members of the class meet the high bar set by Gunderson with ease, to the point that I don’t think the smile left my face for most of the first act.