"It shows how much views are changing on sexuality." The cast of Blush on making a 'sexy adult circus' more subversive & inclusive
Some of the reviews we received had a bit of a stab at the male nudity, but not the female nudity, because Australian audiences especially are very used to women being sexualized in that way… And the success of the show sort of shows how much people are changing, like how much views are changing on sexuality.
"We were inspired to create an event that celebrated and centred the art of improvisation!" Rosa Sottile on the 2022 Brisbane Improv Festival
We were inspired by the New Zealand Improv Festival and other similar festivals to create an event that celebrated and centred the art of improvisation! Improvised theatre and comedy is so special because every show is completely unique and different - you literally will never get the same show twice.
"I’ve created these shows to ignite and spark conversations about young people and the adults in their lives." Virag Domby on 'Dear Adults' and 'What's for Dinner?'
There was no play medium out there that I felt resonated with my thoughts as young person. Certainly nothing that gave me agency. So, I guess you could say that I made it my mission to write and direct `works which give youth a platform for their voice to be heard.
"Backbone Festival is a testament to the resilience, creativity and abilities of young artists." Sampson Smith on the 2022 Backbone Festival.
It feels incredible to be a part of the beginning of their journeys, and it’s wonderful to see where artists and works from Backbone end up. I’m particularly excited about presenting the new work of our three Pilot Artists in Residence; Howling Jackals by Micah Rustichelli, Sad Boys Luv Art by Baby Blue, and Pierrot by Martelle Simon-Green.
"It’s been (another) difficult year, and we all deserve a Happy Hour." Darcie Rae on the escapist joy of Glitter Martini's latest show
I have spent a fair bit of time thinking about capital A “Art” over the last couple of years, and the line between art and entertainment. I’ve landed on joy as being a perfectly acceptable reason for something to exist, and this show is a celebration of that. Also all the acts are themed around happy hour beverages.
"The House (of Alexander) has actually shown me that the world is my oyster and the possibilities are endless." Aniita Maka on power of chosen family in Ballroom.
Seeing women like mama Ella … She was the first openly transwoman who worked in the airlines, and she’s worked in many different industries and how she has navigated through that lifestyle is something we don’t envisage for ourselves, because we feel its out of our reach. To see someone overcome that and negotiate through that stuff, is what inspires me and keeps me going as a person.
Raising funds for the Support Act ‘Roadie fund’ with loud music and good times
The pandemic hit many industries very hard, and one that was almost impossibly decimated was the arts. But while the artists at the front of house made a lot of headlines, one of the industries that didn’t get so much attention was behind-the-scenes… the crew who get our stages and venues bumped in, lit, rigged, bumped out, and transported. On Sunday, August 7, starting from 5pm at The Zoo Brisbane, COUNT ME IN: Fundraiser will be taking the stage to raise a donation for CrewCare’s ‘Roadie Fund’.
"Every possible aspect of what the audience may experience must be thought through." Kirsten Siddle dishes on 'Love Lust Lost'.
The work has been in creative development for almost three years, so we’re pretty thrilled that it’s finally premiered. Creating immersive theatre is challenging! There is an infinite amount of detail involved, everything must be layered and layered over each other and absolutely every possible touchpoint and aspect of what the audience may (or may not) experience must be thought through, carefully curated and dramaturgically analysed. There’s a team of more than 100 superstars behind this show, so there’s a lot of moving parts, but the team is a true powerhouse and every problem is tackled with creativity, flair and determination.
"I don’t want pain to be my legacy." Tristan Niemi on subverting the expectations of theatre
The artists that I’m close with, when we talk about our practice, we often come to a place of discussing this pressure we feel to be in pain in order to making art of value. But when a layer of othering, as you put it, is added to that the pressure becomes intensified and localised to the “otherness” we are branded with. I, personally, plan on being a working artist for the rest of my life and I don’t want pain to be my legacy. I don’t want the next generation of artist to have to inherit that from me and feel that same pressure. So, I’m using ASK to point out the despicable nature of this pressure.
"It is up to the individual to draw from their own wellspring of self-belief." Overcoming writers block with Ad Astra
We chose this play for several reasons. Firstly, the overarching theme of a playwright who is struggling with writers’ block is a metaphor for anyone who has struggled with the creative process. No matter what drives you as a human being, we all have a creative muscle and at times, it needs massaging!
Tell us about the first time you saw a circus show….
We love the circus here at Nothing Ever Happens in Brisbane, and it turns out, so do all the circus artists we know! We’re so excited for CIRCFest 22 Meanjin, so we went to all the circus performers and asked them to tell us about the first time they saw a circus show, or glimpsed a clown, or found the magic of the circus stage…
Karen Lee Roberts is a creative Chameleon
For a show about a subject as serious as mental health/ mental wellness, Chameleon is quite light- hearted throughout. There are darker moments, and people do shed tears, but you will definitely get your fair share of belly laughs and giggles in this cabaret. It has been written to not take one’s self too seriously, and has some absolutely hilarious scenes unfold.
What does circus mean to you?
If you haven’t heard, Brisneyland is getting it’s very own circus festival - thehighly anticipated CIRCFest22 Meanjin. Circus for young folk, for those looking for an extravagant night on the town, for lively teens, for sweet and shy people, for those with a sick sense of humour, circus for everyone! We’ve gone out to some of the incredible artists that will be performing across the festival from April 21 to May 1, and we asked them, what does circus mean to you?
“We give a platform to the best improv and comedy shows.” Rosa Sottile on Big Fork Theatre’s dedicated comedy theatre
There are so many great shows on. Every week we have totally new improv shows and also regular stand-up and variety shows! If you want to see improv for the first time I would recommend our classic improv format, ‘Cool Story Bro’ on Friday nights. It’s Big Fork’s flagship show. True stories inspire hilarious improv scenes! Some other particularly exciting shows coming up are the BrisAsia Festival shows – ‘BrisAsia Stands Up’ and ‘Wer Ya From’. We also have some great Brisbane regular shows coming to the theatre like ‘Stand Up vs Improviser’ and ‘Freak Box’, and our first show making a comeback ‘Get It Inya’, an experimental comedy show!
"If you're looking for a bit of an escape, Cab Suave is the place to go!" Abby Kelso on Sparkle Society's reimagining of film noir with a circus twist
Cab Suave isn't just a cabaret, it has a full storyline that will have you engaged and wanting to know what happens next, and interesting characters with personality and charm. Combining circus with live music and theatre, it's cheesy and funny and doesn't take itself too seriously. If you're looking for a bit of an escape after the last few years, Cab Suave is the place to go!
"We were looking for ways and spaces where all our different musical pursuits could coexist and combine…" Connor D’Netto on NONSTOP
It’s easy for people to assume certain types of music to exist in a certain place, presented in a certain way, and maybe even listened to by certain people. That’s so limiting on every level. It limits the kind of art artists feel comfortable (or are even allowed) to create; it limits whether people feel comfortable in certain spaces and therefore whether they are able to experience different kinds of art; it limits how people are able to come together, connect and interact.
"It automatically places people in this space of physicality that builds trust." Vulcana Circus on elevating the voices of those less heard
In this interview, co-directors and facilitators Celia White (Vulcana Circus’ Artistic Director) and Michelle Grant-Iramu discuss the process of enabling and empowering a large ensemble of a recently acquainted cohort, the imperative for access to art-making for people with experiences of trauma, truth-telling with a view to elevate the ordinary and making it extraordinary, and how circus is a perfect vessel for transformative art-making.
"Theatre hasn’t always been inclusive for artists and audience of our age." Egan Sun-Bin on The Reaction Theory and creating works about the mid-20's experience
When it was first written, this was Zoey [Dawon]’s first real play and being a new writer in the industry and leaving her drama school, she was feeling so much pressure. That’s how we all feel right now. We want to make a name for ourselves and be a working artist but it’s tough and anxiety inducing and coming straight out of that pandemic, this anxiety is very real for us. It’s us right now. The actors and creatives are feeling scared about our future and in this play, you will see exactly that.
Rumble presents The Pageant: Choose your champion and release your inner woo girl
"What I love is that this show fully leans into the chaos and encourages the contenders to fly by the seat of their pants, which is very entertaining for the audience because you never know what you're going to see! As a contender, it's equally exciting because you can only prepare so much going into it before the carry-on takes over. It feels like catching a wave and quickly realising you're surfing in a tsunami!"
"We didn’t have any role models or people that looked like us." Tyson Goddard on Rhythmology
“Sexuality is meant to be generous; people can forget it is, but we know it is and want to express this. Rhythmology is Unapologetic Sexuality! And rightfully so.”