POSTS IN THE PADDOCK
Road trip and creative development residency May-June 2009
Following research and development as part of Urban Theatre Projects’s Intersection residency program in 2008, My Darling Patricia have begun the second stage creative development for a new work Posts in the Paddock.
The work takes it’s starting point from the story of historical figure Jimmy Governor. My Darling Patricia’s interest in this story stems from artist Clare Britton’s close family ties- two of the people Jimmy Governor murdered are her relatives. My Darling Patricia’s Clare Britton and Halcyon Macleod, along with Clare’s mum Katy Britton, have been working with Nadeena Dixon and her mother Rhonda Dixon-Grovenor, artists and relatives of Jimmy Governor. Through the oral histories of two families, the work investigates broader questions around shared grief and shame, and contemporary dialogues of reconciliation.
In late May of this year, Clare, Halcyon, Rhonda, Katy, cultural advisor Lily Shearer and filmmaker/photographer Michelle Blakeney will set out on a five day trip to Wellington, Dubbo and Merriwa in regional NSW, conducting research and interviews, and exploring the land and sites that are part of the Jimmy Governor history and folklore.
Other collaborators joining a three-week creative development residency at Casula Powerhouse following the field trip include: expert curator Tess Allas as the projects’ Indigenous image and cultural consultant; musician and sound artist Declan Kelly; designer-maker Bryony Anderson; performer LeRoy Parsons and puppeteer/performer Sam Routledge.
AFRICA
“It is a dream that has been shared by lovers across the centuries – the chance to elope to exotic lands. But few would have been as bold and spontaneous as six-year-old Mika and his five-year-old sweetheart Anna-Bell who, after mulling over their options in secret, packed their suitcases on New Year’s Eve and set off from the German city of Hanover to tie the knot under the heat of the African sun.” The Guardian (2008)
Inspired by the true story of Mika and Anna-Bell, in Africa, broken toys, puppets, and sun-faded furniture are the props that feed the theatre of the imagination. Where some see abandon and chaos, others see the child’s ability to transform their surroundings into places of wonder and delight.
My Darling Patricia are developing Africa in residence in The Tower Theatre and will premiere the work in November.
A MALTHOUSE THEATRE COMMISSION
AFRICA NOVEMBER 12 - NOVEMBER 29 TOWER THEATRE
SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE MAY 18
Premiere seasons of Night Garden
Viewed in traverse and using puppetry, film, sculpture and performance, Night Garden is a dark suburban tale that unfolds within the shell of a burned house.
Developed in residence at Performance Space, Arts House, Hot House Theatre and Bundanon Artists Trust, Night Garden, will premiere in Sydney and Melbourne in March, 2009.
“Like much of My Darling Patricia’s impressive body of work to date, Night Garden blends extraordinary craft skills in design and puppetry with evocative video imagery and performance to produce a work of visual wonder”
David Williams- Realtime
“a refreshing experience requiring a level of imagination from the audience rarely felt in Sydney theatres. It is a sophisticated performance skilfully melding a variety of techniques together to create a disconcerting but intricately nuanced relationship”
Tim Spencer- Arts Hub
Sydney, March 6 - 14, Performance Space at Carriageworks
245 Wilson Street Eveleigh
Wednesday 5 (preview) - Saturday 14, 8pm
Saturday 14, 4pm
$30/$25/$20 +BF
Bookings: ticketmaster.com.au or 1300723038
Thursday, March 5 Preview tix $20
Student Rush Wednesday and Thursday $15
Melbourne, March 25 - 29, Arts House, Meat Market
5 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne
Tuesday 24 (Preview) - Friday 27, 7.30pm
Saturday 28, 5pm and 7.30pm
Sunday 29, 6pm
Tickets: Full $25 / Conc $18
Bookings: artshouse.com.au or 03 9639 0096