INTERLOPER
By ROOKE
CIRCUS FAMILY TEN DAYS ON THE ISLAND 2023
Image: Hamish McCormick
ABOUT ROOKE
ROOKE is a new Tasmanian contemporary circus company, made up of of five world-class circus artists: Mieke Lizotte, Tony Rooke, Lewie West, Conor Wild and Freyja Wild.
Between them they have amassed over 120 years of performance experience all over the world. In the midst of the global pandemic they set down roots in Northern Tasmania. Realising that such a stellar group of talented individuals all lived within a few hours of each other Tony jumped on the opportunity and pulled the group together to create their first show together Tony’s Imaginary Circus.
ROOKE aims to re-imagine circus. To create inspiring circus works that take the audience places they never believed were possible. Building on Tasmania’s vibrant arts scene ROOKE brings a circus twist to engage, inspire, transport and uplift their audiences.
After a lifetime on the road, ROOKE are paving a new road that lets them stay (mostly) in one place. ROOKE exists to provide an alternative for us as artists; a way to continue making and performing work we love without the need for constant travel. A way to work around having small children, as part of a community, surrounded by friends and family, allowing us a regular pilates class and a favourite café, limiting our carbon footprint and contributing our art form to the Tasmanian community.
Interloper grew from its title. A musical word which became more and more pertinent as we made the show. The process of creating this show has been interrupted, changed, re-routed and adjusted many times. Keeping us true to the title in many ways and proving that the greatest interloper is often not a person at all, but a larger force beyond anyone’s control.
Interloper is our love letter to circus, our promise not to let go as we grow old, our invitation that says ‘this artform is for you, for all humans’. We hope you enjoy the show.
CAST
Tony Rooke
Mieke Lizotte
Lewie West
Conor Wild
Freyja Wild
CREATIVE TEAM
Devised by: Tony Rooke, Mieke Lizotte, Lewie West, Conor Wild, Freyja Wild Creatives: Jamie Bretman, Jake Silvestro
Lighting Design and Technical Direction: Ryan Mahony
Set Design: Isaac Williams and Connor Lizotte
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Every part of Australia is, always was and always will be, Aboriginal land. As a community gathering-place, a festival of arts, cultural exchange and celebration and as a site for the sharing of ideas and stories, Ten Days on the Island pays respect to the Palawa/Tasmanian Aborigines – The original owners and cultural custodians – of all the lands and waters across Lutruwita/ Tasmania upon which our Festival takes place.