Who would've thought the subject of climate action could be so fun?!
Cabaret artist Hannah Gwatkin will present her show 'Eco-Worrier: A Climate Cabaret' as part of the ever-transformative Anywhere Festival in Brisbane – a festival which encourages artists of all genres to present performances anywhere but a theatre!
Read our May cover story with Anywhere Festival Director Paul Osuch.
'Eco-Worrier' is a thought-provoking, 70-minute, one-woman show which is sure to inspire and uplift those wanting more climate action. There has never been a better time to open up and share the story of a collective fight to save ourselves.
Hannah will attempt to mitigate climate change and ecological collapse with her voice, a saxophone, some tap shoes, a loop pedal, and a ukulele.
But before she does all of that for Anywhere Festival, we sat down with Hannah to chat about the show and her involvement in the popular theatre event.
Hannah! You’re part of Anywhere Festival this year. Have you ever been a part of it before? What does it mean to be involved?
This will be my first time performing in Anywhere Festival personally, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the festival in the past as an audience member; quite a few of my university friends have written or performed in shows at Anywhere Festival over the years! For context, I studied a Bachelor of Musical Theatre, through Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University back in 2015-2017, so all of my uni friends are equally creatively gifted and outgoing! I’m stoked to be involved with Anywhere Festival this year! Having been living in Sydney for the last while, I’m really excited to return to Brisbane and share my latest cabaret show, 'Eco-Worrier: A Climate Cabaret' with old friends and the vibrant Brisbane community!
What’s your background in the performing arts?
I’ve been singing, dancing and generally showing off since as young as I can remember! I’ve been very fortunate to have supportive parents who were able to pay for endless lessons in all forms of performing arts growing up. After high school, I studied a Certificate of Contemporary Music Performance in Sydney, and then ventured off to Brisbane to complete my Bachelor of Musical Theatre. Since then, I’ve performed in various musicals and concerts throughout Australia, and then internationally, as a singer for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, until that nasty little thing called COVID interrupted life at sea and brought me back on land! More recently I’ve discovered a love for cabaret; there’s nothing more satisfying than being able to use my unique creative skills to communicate the issues that I’m most passionate about.
And what drew you to it?
I think, like most performers, it’s not so much a question of having been drawn to the performing arts, but it’s more a matter of always having had an affinity with it. My mum’s best friend, a dancer, was the first to spot my affinity for music, as a baby, noting that I was wiggling in time with music, whilst in my pram. Mum enrolled me in baby ballet and it all grew quickly from there!
Why is a festival like Anywhere so special?
Anywhere is really cool, because it is all about putting on shows in non-theatrical spaces. This not only allows for more interesting, engaging and immersive productions, but it also opens the gates for independent artists and theatremakers like myself to stage our latest works in a financially viable way; often, hiring out a traditional theatre space can be too costly and risky an endeavour to take. They also provide a 'Producing Live Performance Anywhere' online course with resources and training material, to help guide artists through the whole process of putting on a show anywhere, from the development stages right through to bump out and evaluation. The Brisbane independent arts scene is set to explode throughout the month of May, as all the Anywhere productions come to life!
Tell us about your show ‘Eco-Worrier’.
'Eco-Worrier: A Climate Cabaret' is a 70-minute one-woman cabaret, in which I attempt to single-handedly mitigate climate change and ecological collapse with my voice, saxophone, tap shoes, loop pedal, keyboard and ukulele. Yes, it’s ridiculous and highly ambitious. . . But worth a try!
What inspired you to put together a production like this?
As a 28-year-old, going off average life expectancy, I should still be around in the year 2077, and currently, the scientific predictions don’t look too flash, so I’m using my talents to do what I can with this ‘rapidly closing window of opportunity’. Like many young people today, I’ve also struggled with feelings of eco-anxiety, and I know from personal experience how helpful it is to remember that you’re a part of something bigger, and connected to a larger community in the collective fight for a safe and stable future. I’m certain the show will be an uplifting and fun night out for anyone who cares about the future of humanity. Allow me to recharge your batteries through the power of cabaret! Given the IPCC's recent issuing of a 'final warning' for humanity, there has never been a more pressing time to tell this story.
Who is it written for?
'Eco-Worrier: A Climate Cabaret' is perfect for anyone over the age of 15 who would appreciate an evening of climate cabaret fun, to lift their spirits and feel seen, empowered and encouraged to continue the good fight!
And tell us about the place you’re holding it!
I’ve been very fortunate to have the Wilderness Society, Brisbane generously donate their office space as the show’s! It is a 10 minute walk from South Brisbane train station, and very close to Coles West End. There are a number of parking stations nearby.
How does this space fit for the show you’re putting on?
The Wilderness Society’s office space is the perfect place for my show; it is a space where, unbeknownst to most, climate action occurs almost daily. It is a space filled with passion and hope and I’m so thrilled to have the show hosted there. Our values are aligned and the support that the Wilderness Society has provided has been wonderful and greatly appreciated!
Anything you’re particularly keen for when it comes to checking out other Anywhere offerings?
I’m honestly just looking forward to checking out anything and everything that doesn’t clash with my show! But to kick things off, I’m keen to meet some of the other Anywhere Festival participants at the Opening Night Fish Lane takeover, on 4 May at Fish Lane Arts Precinct, South Brisbane. The free roving and pop-up performances will be a fun way to get a better sense of various shows!
'Eco-Worrier: A Climate Cabaret' plays The Wilderness Society (Upstairs At 67 Boundary Street, South Brisbane) as part of Anywhere Festival 5-10 May.
