An acrobatic stage experience inspired by the scarred beauty of the Illawarra’s changing industrial landscape will have it’s world premier at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre next Thursday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“Landscape with Monsters” was developed by one of Australia’s most acclaimed circus company’s, Circa, in collaboration with the Merrigong Theatre Company and local artists.
The theatrical piece is the first time Circa has infused circus work (tumbling, trapeze, aerials) with video art, soundscapes and objects culminating in 75 minutes of pure awe in what these people can do with their bodies.
Director Yaron Lifschitz said the production responded to “our country in transformation” and hoped to tour the globe with it after it’s world debut in Wollongong.
“We dig, we mine, we build, we manufacture. As industries evolve great natural beauty meets the scars of our activities. This work aims to explore how the landscape is imprinted on our bodies and how we carry it with us,” he said.
Lifschitz said the troupe’s shows were very emotional and human with a rare and unexpected beauty, likening it to putting pressure on coal to form a diamond.
“We take the traditional form of circus like acrobatics, tumbling and trapeze and explore them, challenge them, and apply pressure to them … to shine,” he said.
The work arose from an invitation by Merrigong artistic director Simon Hinton in 2014 to visit the region, including a tour of the steelworks where the creative crew “absorbed some of the DNA of the place”.
This work aims to explore how the landscape is imprinted on our bodies and how we carry it with us.
- Yaron Lifschitz
“My real interest was to look at the way in which landscape and the environment affect people,” said Lifschitz.
“We’re really excited to be coming to Wollongong, it surprised me with it’s diversity and it’s beauty and I hope we can capture and express all of what we felt when we were there.”
“Landscape with Monsters” runs from Thursday March 17 until Sunday March 20th.
A free theatre talk will be presented with the ensemble and director Yaron Lifschitz on Saturday March 19, 5pm.
For more information visit: www.merrigong.com.au
It comes as Wollongong Art Gallery hosts an exhibition of paintings, drawings and photographs celebrating the steelworks.