Review - 10CS

METANOIA

Presents 10CS

Artists | Gorkem Acaroglu , Reverse Butcher, Dagmara Gieysztor, Shane Grant, Robert Jordan, Brienna Macnish, Zoe Meagher, Vissolela Ndenzako, Kylie Supski, Greg Ulfan, Chi Vu, Paul Irving, Aseel Tayah, and Elnaz Sheshgelani

Mechanic’s Institute – 270 Sydney Road Brunswick

June 17 – 27 2015

Metanoia’s 10CS offers a self directed, almost arbitrary, visit to ten sites exploring the Ten Commandments.   In all, it’s a very personal journey predicated on one’s personal attitudes, understandings and inclinations towards a variety of religions and faiths. 

This challenging unconventional work is compiled in a variety of mediums.  There are 10 delineated sites with various installations most are peopled and a couple of these purely electronic, a number subdued and a couple loud to the point of being brash. 

 

In the short 90minutes duration, whilst all works were being presented simultaneously, I found that I was only really able to connect with about five of the ten works.  This was a time issue but I also found I was unsure about how to move through the work particularly as it was difficult to read the program and listings in the dull light of the Mechanics Institute.  ‘Note to self’ - if I find myself in a similar situation I will quickly grab an overview and then focus more clearly on what I am drawn to.   Or perhaps get there a bit earlier and carefully read the issued material and ask attendants their ideas about how to move through the work.

There are a couple of touch stones one being the Bar where we all set off from and the haunting mobile songstress Aseel Tayah.  Also The Robber Shane Grant provides a kind of binding work in his attempts to remove valuable items from audience members prior to his performance that attracted a large audience. 

The shows I gave my time to were mixed.  I was drawn to 6^th C – Though shalt not commit adultery partly because of the live sound and music by Ren Walters  that was underpinning and interacting with the physical and vocal work of Elanaz Sheshgelani.  I found this installation to be rich and engaging and was willingly entranced and provoked.

Most impressive is the one on one performance 7^Th C -Thou shalt not kill by Miles Paras created by Chi Vu.  This is one of those very intimate challenges for an audience of one and as such not for the faint hearted.  It is a strong and moving work. 

I was unsettled by the installation 1^st C -Thou shalt have no other Gods before me (Vissolela Ndenzako) and intrigued by 9^th C - Thou shalt not bare false witness against thy neighbor (Greg Ulfan) and disconcerted by the very complex and demanding and somewhat brutal 5^th C -Honor thy father and thy mother (Kylie Supski and Reverse Butcher with sound by Chris Wenn and projections by Mikhala Hawken).

Perhaps the Artistic Direction (Gorkem Acaroglu) and Dramaturgy (Lara Thoms) could be a little more binding of the various parts. 

The eclectic combination of contributions does create a whole that is of considerable value.  You will need to see it for yourself to be able to decide if it is more than the sum of its parts.

Rich rewarding and highly recommended.

Suzanne Sandow

(For Stage Whispers)

Retro Futurismus - Review

Retro Futurismus

Maude Davey, Anni Davey, Anna Lumb & Gabi Barton

With special guests

fortyfivedownstairs | 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

10 – 28 June 2015

Maude and Annie Davey are legends and just about everything they do is worth catching and Retro Futurismus is no exception. 

However be warned it is wild and rough around the edges and unsettling with its uneasy postmodern references to not to distant past.  Both women strut their stuff in a cabaret style performance intermingled with unexpected, and at times what feel to be unresolved and not completely integrated, items from Anna Lumb, Gabi Barton, Leah Shelton, Stella Angelico and Teresa Blake.  Each week there are to be another three special guests – it’s a variety show. 

So all in all it is a bit of an adventurous rag bag of contemporary cabaret with a retro feel both in content and style – it feels a bit subculture and dangerous – boundaries are being pushed.  And I think I can be forgiven for wondering if I wasn’t back in the late 1980s early 90s.

As shows go it is is slick and moves swiftly.  But on opening night the lights seemed to be lacking and the sound a little loud and brittle.   (Hopefully technical issues were resolved before the next performances.)

Edgy and out there kind of butch bricklayer/handyman/ bobs up with an number of surprising acts.  By contrast Stella Angelico delights as a burlesque songstress – rich and sultry.   Then there is the film diva who just keeps dying in more expressive and outrageous ways.  (If there was a program I would be able to be more sure of who everyone was and appropriately credit performers.)

The downstairs space at 45downstairs is used well so one can feel free to sit pretty much anywhere although I might be even better if what feels like the main-stage was slightly more elevated.

All climaxes with a ‘Golden Girls’ item that is lavish bright and great fun.

Maude and Anni Davey - photo Ponch Hawkes

All in all the ever adventurous the Davey sisters shine and yes the show has the power to surprise if not shock.  An opportunity for a fascinating night out being amazed, amused and challenged by these ever inventive performers and their cohorts. 

Guesting in Retro Futurismus.

Last Week of the run:  The sublime soprano Simone Page Jones and an awesome dance duo and solos from James Andrews and Bendy Ben Hancock and Teresa Blake will come back cos they can't let her go!

It will be memorable.

Suzanne Sandow

(For Stage Whispers)