The original work of iconic Australian songwriters Robert Forster and Grant McLennan of The Go-Betweens will be brought to life in a world premiere collaboration between acclaimed Brisbane theatre and music companies Now Look Here and Electric Moon.
'The Sound Of A Finished Kiss' will be based around an unearthed mixtape that 'rewinds' four friends back to 1990s Brisbane.
Writer and director Kate Wild describes how, when working overseas, the The Go-Betweens' music provided a vital link to home. "They were Brisbane," she says.
"It wasn't just the references to cane fields and mangroves – it was that self-deprecating ironic tang that comes from living in the third-biggest city in Australia. The Go-Betweens knew all about that."
Musical director James Lees (Electric Moon) has also relished the opportunity to bring together the music of The Go-Betweens with Kate's original story.
"Having produced several big, music-based performances over the last few years exploring the work of amazing artists like David Bowie, Lou Reed and Kate Bush, it was a total no-brainer to take on the music of The Go-Betweens.
"I've been a huge fan of the band since buying their album 'Liberty Belle & The Black Diamond Express' as a teenager in the '80s."
'The Sound Of A Finished Kiss' blends elements from cabaret, theatre and pub gig, bringing new perspectives to well-known and much-loved material.
On stage will be four of Brisbane’s leading artists: Sandro Colarelli (Twelfth Night, The Lady Of The House Of Love), Kat Henry (Deliverance, Woyzeck), Lucinda Shaw (Transformer, Silver Sircus) and Lucas Stibbard (Constellations, Boy Girl Wall).
"The show is such a great opportunity to bring what I do with music performance together with a dramatic play," continues James Lees, "and I love Kate's story and script.
"I'm excited to bring some of my long-term collaborators together with brand new musicians and singers too."
