photos: April '09 ♥ photos: Aug. '09
August 2009:
“Why do some birds lie on the ground while their enemies threaten them?...The next time you see a bustard’s nest, ask yourself why. Lie down and try to hide on the plains and see what happens.”
--Gerald Murnane, The Plains, (1982)
Sanctum Theatre invites you to the annual general meeting of the R.S.P.F.C.L.B.M (the Royal Society for the Protection and Furtherance of the Culture and Livelihood of the Bird-headed Minority).
bower raises awareness of the plight of bird-folk world-wide and provides a rare opportunity to witness firsthand the secretive rites of these ancient peoples.
credits
Marina Annie Forbes
The McQuails Aviva Endean, Carlos Parraga, Lachlan Plain and Jasmine Powell
devised in collaboration with Iris Radovic
the first phase of bower took place in April with the following cast Bill Bretherton, Colleen Burke, Aviva Endean, Jon Drews, Stella Gray and Will Tate with an installation by Sarah Barrow and Iris Radovic
the masks and marionettes were made for The Plains (2008) by Gae Anderson, Michael Camilleri, Sabrina D’Angelo, Michelle Gordon, Rachael Guy, Lachlan Plain and Iris Radovic
slides designed by Lachlan Plain
April 2009:
Bower was a clandestine performance installation about homes and homelessness, nests and memories.
Bower existed in two halves. The first half occurred at 4 Sturrock St where the guests were greeted at the gate and led into an anthropomorphic world of man and bird.
The final half took place in the burnt out shell of what was once a great mansion.
"I didn't know whether I was meant to be a person or a bird."
--audience member
credits
conceived and orchestrated by Lachlan Plain
the bird-people Colleen Burke, Jon Drews, Aviva Endean and Stella Gray
the care-takers Will Tate and Bill Bretherton
overall design and window sketches by Lachlan Plain
bower installation by Sarah Barrow and Iris Radovic
click here to view behind-the-scenes and research in the Sanctum Theatre scrapbook
click here for further information on any of the artists
sponsored by:
121A Donald Street
Brunswick 3056
Victoria, Australia