Participatory theatre company Everybody NOW! is presenting their brand-new music theatre production, 'Roller Coaster', as part of the Gold Coast's Bleach* Festival at Home Of The Arts (HOTA).
'Roller Coaster' is an action-packed, rollerskating spectacle which is part rock concert, part theatre, and part participatory event – with Everybody NOW! encouraging involvement from the broader rollerskating community.
The production, with themes of facing things head on and living the best life you can, features an all-star cast of performers, and epic live band, and dozens of local rollerskaters.
We spoke with 'Roller Coaster' Executive Director Kate Baggerson to find out more about this high-octane ride through life on wheels, before it hits HOTA for Bleach* Festival.
Firstly, this is a new production. What can you tell us about the plot of ‘Roller Coaster’?
'Roller Coaster' follows the journey of three main characters – Sam, a mid-40s single mum who was once star player in a roller derby team but now finds herself as the overstretched manager of a suburban roller rink, with two ratbag kids, a useless ex, and no room for dreams. Tully is a teen street skater trying to find their way in the world, and Rocky (who is also the useless ex) is attempting to live his best life after receiving some bad news, however he is pushing a few relationships to the limit along the way. Throughout the show, these characters have to take a chance on themselves, learn to let people in and lace up their skates as they are sent smashing into the very best versions of themselves. The show also features about 100 local roller skaters including a real roller derby team, park skaters, roller dancers and skaters at a rink of all ages who animate and enliven these stories just being their best skating selves. It's all set to live music from a stellar band of Queensland musicians.
It’s part of Bleach* in 2023. Why do you think it’s a perfect fit for this festival?
'Roller Coaster' is a big, celebratory, fun and experiential night out which we think is a great festival vibe. Bleach* Festival is all about local stories and celebrating place which is also at the heart of everything we do as a company. All of the songs and stories in this show have been created with the local community so it is very much a representation of our people and place.
It’s got a live soundtrack. What sorts of music can we expect?
The music is super diverse but is grounded in contemporary rock and indie pop music which is the world that our Musical Director Luke McDonald comes from as a two time Unearthed J-award artist for his work with The John Steel Singers and Holiday Party. There are songs like 'Hold My Ground' which is a tough and gritty anthem to roller derby (and life) with a drum part by Dee Bradbery that will kick right through you; or 'That Girl', a beautiful ballad about a mid-life crisis featuring Ella Fence's soaring vocals; 'My Tribe', a thrashing punk number about push and pull of being a teenager; or 'I've Seen The Light' by Tnee Dyer which is a big classic music theatre number with some massive Queen tones.
As Executive Director, what were some of your hopes when the show was being put together?
Our hopes are always to keep the integrity of the real stories that have been shared with us, to create a really inclusive and joyful process for the community participants along the way, then to craft it all into a banging piece of theatre that moves and inspires an audience and is a really great night out.
What was your favourite part about the creative process in general?
I've loved the collaboration between the rollerskaters and the musicians and performers. It's a constant contracting and expanding of ideas, as the community shares their stories with us, the team then work that material into a song or a character idea, and we share it back again. It's like a roller coaster really. Sometimes we get it right straight up, sometimes the community collaborators will say, 'nah, it should really be like this' or 'what about this', so it's a real exchange and meeting of experiences and ideas.
On the flip side. . . What would you say has been the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge with a project like this is all the moving parts and logistics. There are lots of parts of the show that we see in silos and it's not until very late in the process that all those moving parts come together. Our Director Ian describes it as a blind date! There's a lot of trust involved. You have to have a really experienced team of artists, producers and technicians around you who are flexible, positive, can move quickly and can keep the project open for as long as possible. Challenges aside, it is a massively joyful and exhilarating work to make.
There’s a bit of an inclusive element for people with basic rollerskating skills. . . Tell us more?!
Yes, we've been running workshops with local rollerskaters who will then come and star in the show. We've had a huge uptake which is no surprise because there is a huge rollerskating community in South East Queensland, (indeed right across Australia) after a lockdown-inspired roller revival a couple of years ago. We love that rollerskating has developed into its own contemporary subculture that is welcoming and diverse and resonates across generations, genders, identities, and a diversity of cultural and social experiences which are all represented in the show.
What’s the ideal audience response to ‘Roller Coaster’?
We want people to leave with a massive smile on their faces, thinking 'wow how great are humans!' Also 'how great is community!' It's a crazy old world out there and we know that we're better together. This show is full of hope and heart, and – we think – a bunch of universal truths about the strength we can find, to be able to ride the roller coaster of life, when we have a place to belong.
What’s the ideal audience for 'Roller Coaster’?
Anyone who loves live music, loves theatre, loves (or did love!) skating or who is looking for a really unique night out.
Describe the show in four words.
Heartwarming, joyful, honest, thrilling.
'Roller Coaster' plays HOTA Gold Coast as part of Bleach* Festival 3-5 August.
