Song for a Weary Throat

Created by the Rawcus ensemble of performers with and without disability

10 – 12 October | 7:30pm
13 October | 2:00pm & 7:30pm
14 October | 5:00pm
Duration: 65 minutes (without interval)
Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio
Book at artscentremelbourne.com.au or 1300 182 183

**Cast: Leisa Prowd, Ryan New and Paul Mately**

Fifteen bodies surface in the wake of a disaster. When all is lost, what keeps them afloat?

Set in an abandoned dance hall that echoes with haunting airs, Song for a Weary Throat is a breathtaking work of physical and vocal wonder premiering at Arts Centre Melbourne from 10 to 14 October as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival.

Driven by a surging current of emotion, it travels from the aftermath of a terrible loss – trauma, heartbreak, failure – through the moments that offer some promise of hope, real or illusory.

Vignettes by turns devastating and buoyant slide into one another, all glistening within an ethereal soundscape created live by critically-acclaimed contemporary vocalists Invenio Singers. Though wordless, the unforgettable images forged live on stage speak volumes.

Directed by Kate Sulan, with design by Emily Barrie, lighting by Richard Vabre and sound design by Jethro Woodward, Song for a Weary Throat has received three Green Room Awards for Production, Ensemble and Music Composition and Sound Design since its 2017 premiere. Now it returns in its full glory.

Created by the Rawcus ensemble of performers with and without disability the company has won numerous awards from past productions including Catalogue, Small Odysseys, Another Lament, The Heart is Another Dark Forest, Hunger and Not Dead Yet.

Invenio Singers was formed in March 2010 by singer/composer Gian Slater. It is an innovative ensemble of improvising and contemporary singers, experimenting with the typical vocal group choral form through conceptual composition, extended vocal technique, fluid improvising, choreographed movement and inventive performance.

Sean Cullen 'I am a Human Man' part of 2014 Melbourne International Comedy Festival — **Sean Cullen ‘I am a Human Man’ part of 2014 Melbourne International Comedy Festival**

From the moment Sean Cullen slunk on to the Fairfax stage at the Arts Centre a feeling arose that Sean was not alright. It wasn’t in his plan but this unsaid thing dominated and was later in the show he admitted he was unwell. To me it read that Sean had been smashed by gastroenteric with horrific jet lag thrown in for good measure.

Moments fleeted wherein like a drunk awaiting from a blackout he internally screamed ‘WHERE AM I? Why am I doing comedy at my body clock of 9 am.’ Empathetically the audience got it. Here was a trooper for whom the show must go on. It was a salutary lesson from an old school trooper of how to survive a Saturday night when the odds and indeed ones biology is stacked against you. His show entitled ‘I am a Human Man’ framed and forgave him.

Never in my own experience of going to comedy have I ever been at a gig where the comedian spoke so softly. He engaged with the audience and rambled off into glorious fits and trips of improved sideline and we got it. He amped up when he swanned into mimicry- Liam Neeson and English gangster movies. His real forte was when he sang: riffing into farming, grunge bands, the surreal and daddy teaching son how to treat the ladies. He couldn’t but not commit when it came to the songs, which counterpointed whatever was really going on for him.

It was an entertaining 75 minutes that reminds that there is always a human with a reality going on behind the facade of just making us laugh.

story by Connor O’Neil