“There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity. No need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilisations heal.”
This powerful statement by American novelist Toni Morrison resonated more than ever at the Seymour Centre 2017 Reginald Season and the Great Ideas Performance Series.
Artistic Director Tim Jones said that the programme heavily emphasises “visions of the future,” expressed by a series of artists exploring how the contemporary political and environmental landscape affects humanity.
Image © Claire AntagonymThe night began with a performance by Sabrina Soares that was ethereal yet uplifting, earnest but sassy: “I dream of being a full-time singer songwriter – I hope you guys have similar dreams of doing only what you love someday.”
The story of 'The Trouble with Harry' explores gender, perversion and complicity. “Turning his focus outward exploring the social mores that haunted him every moment.” Written by Lachlan Philpott, it is a local real life story of the case of Eugenia Falleni that scandalised 1920s Sydney.
'The Nether' by Catnip Productions is a deeply disturbing exploration of the interactivity of the internet and explores the heinous hidden world of online crime.
Image © Claire AntagonymMelbourne-based She Said Theatre is a brave and visionary collective that aims to support women-driven theatre and Australian playwrights. They are working with the esteemed Sport For Jove, who are re-examining American classics throughout the 2017 programme. Penny Harpham, co-Artistic Director of She Said Theatre clearly and passionately outlined the vision for their work:
“Rule number one: I work with Australian playwrights that rival the classics. Rule number two: embrace the power of women. Rule number three: embrace diversity and culture blindness.”
For something a bit weird and wonderful, the Australian science-theatre ensemble, Boho are bringing to the table 'Best Festival Ever', an interactive table-top production that combines theatre, performance lecture and board games. It’s all about disaster management and playing with systems (theory) that we are embedded in. Participants create a music festival and have to stop it collapsing into chaos.
Image © Claire AntagonymA new and inspiring collaboration between the Mental Health and Arts sectors has created 'Grace Under Pressure', which examines the culture of hospitals and medical training. Like all the 2017 Seymour Centre programs, it offer hope for the future and suggests strategies for cultural change.
The programme is shaping up to be, in the words of Tim Jones, “a rollicking good yarn. And a window into the souls of others.”
