Utopiate

DURATION: 60 Minutes Location: The Theatre, Belconnen Arts Centre Directors: Sammy Moynihan and Ben Drysdale Composer: Marlene Claudine Radice Rebus Theatre’s bold new work explored the experiences, challenges and voices of a cast of disabled actors, and actors with lived experience of mental ill health, from their Flair program through an audio-visual feast that brought together dialogue, physical theatre, soundscapes (live and recorded) and visual design. The cast explored the spiritual teachings of Eckhart Tolle and his description of the ‘pain body’ – the human instinct to suppress or escape pain rather than be present in it. The characters in Utopiate, like all of us, experienced a variety of pains in their life. They took up an intergalactic opportunity to join a new world with no pain with unexpected results. Through a series of treatments administered by a well-intentioned alien race, they were forced to decide if this new world was all it’s cracked up to be. Utopiate was created through Rebus Theatre’s Flair program, which invites the diverse cast to take the next step in their professional practice and creatively explore social issues through metaphor.

Flair’ is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.

“One wonders if Rebus actually holds the seeds of where theatre is leading in its relationship with society and culture.” Joe Woodward – Canberra CityNews

“If the aim of theatre is to make a difference and bring about change, then Rebus Theatre is its standard bearer.” – Peter Wilkins – Canberra Critic’s Circle

“Despite the adversities that all the members of Rebus Theatre face daily, they have successfully created a play showing growth and love, tied together with a sense of humour. Delightful theatre, in other words.” Frank McKone – Canberra Critic’s Circle“The direction is inventive, the costumes are colourful, the lighting effects are excellent and the witty script is peppered with enough tongue-in-cheek lines to keep the audience chuckling through-out. Together with the underlying theme of “careful what you wish for” which bring the proceedings to an optimistic and satisfying conclusion, “Utopiate” offers a revealing insight into the valuable work being undertaken by Rebus Theatre.” Bill Stephens – Canberra Critic’s Circle

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