TALKING WALLS AND WALKING ON AIR By Andrea Louise Thomas If These Walls Could Talk brings the best of physical theatre to the stage, but better yet it uses that physicality as a vehicle to convey story in a very affecting way. Combining circus skills, slapstick comedy, dance and breathtaking acrobatics, this production from Dislocate, one of Australia’s leading independent theatre ensembles tells a powerful story without need for words. Set in a single apartment the show sees the lives of six generations of occupants. Each generation lives a life and leaves a layer of memory behind. Removalists then cleverly change the set making way for the next generation of tenants and the cycle of life begins again bringing laughter, joys and sorrows.
Inspired by the Berthold Brecht quote, “Do not fear death, but rather the inadequate life,” If These Wall Could Talk bristles with humour and a sense of fun, but it also tackles tough subjects such as death, euthanasia and suicide. It’s a beautiful theatrical production with images and imaginings sure to linger long after the theatre seats empty. See Dislocate’s If These Walls Could Talk at Frankston Arts Centre on Thursday, June 9 at 7:30. Dislocate are offering a physical theatre workshop on Wednesday, June 8 at 5:30 in Cube 37. Bookings: 9784 1060 or fac.com.au.
LANDSCAPES AND EVENTIDE By Andrea Louise Thomas Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery presents two interesting new exhibitions. Country and Western examines the national landscape from the perspective of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists. Eventide is a print exhibition centred on the time between day and night. When the Papunya Tula dot and circle paintings came to prominence in the early 1970s, it was hailed as the greatest art movement of the 20th century. So radically different was their representation of the Australian landscape that it sent shockwaves through the art world. It influenced non-Indigenous Australian artists. Country and Western looks at the impact of this movement. It also considers issues affecting the land and its inhabitants, such as, environmental changes, mining, land degradation, dispossession, identity and
collaboration. The exhibition celebrates the natural beauty and majesty of the Australian continent. Featuring the work of thirtynine artists, this show is certain to expand perceptions. Eventide, that magic window between day and night is a time of transition and transformation. Thirty-one Australian printmakers explore this in the Eventide exhibition. The exacting nature of printmaking with the use of positive and negative space evocatively conjures images of this in-between time that so captivates the imagination. Country and Western and Eventide run from Friday, 13th May to Sunday, 3rd July at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery MPRG, Civic Reserve, Mornington. 5975 4395. www.mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au.
Picture: John Olsen Desert Seedling 2008-2010 watercolour on paper Gold Coast City Gallery Collection. Gift of the artist under the Cultural Gifts Program, 2012 (c) John Olsen / Licensed by Viscopy. music | arts | events | entertainment
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