Forgotten Places

Citizen Theatre Forgotten Places - photo by Russell MasonBeginning with inspirations from some of the community of the City of Stonnington, Forgotten Places has taken those inputs and fashioned something akin to a theatrical kaleidoscope.

On a symmetrically laid-out space on the Mezzanine at Chapel Off Chapel, the artists – Willow Sizer, Jordan Barr, Tomas Parrish, Kayla Hamill, and Margot Tanjutco – dance, sing, speak, move, and laugh their way through four rooms over four acts of time.

Much like a gallery, here all works within an act are available to view in whatever order you like – often repeatedly – as there are performances happening simultaneously. This makes the installation in some ways review-proof as it provides a unique, singular viewing experience for all in attendance.

Clearly a lot of work has gone into choreography, particularly when the artists form a chorus. The overall work presents a dilemma to those watching, because experiencing moments in one room means sacrificing moments in another.

Witnessing Jordan, Kayla, and Margot commit an act of song and environmental resistance was touching and beautiful, but the consequence for this reviewer was letting Willow and Tom’s movements in the opposite room go unseen.

Songs performed in another room were fortunate to have Imogen Cygler accompanying them on piano. It was a delight to find Imogen’s music among so many abstract elements. It provided much-needed engagement – a remedy to other pieces that kept us at a distance.


Forgotten Places
Mezzanine – Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Performance: Thursday 14 February 2019 – 6.30pm
Season: 13 – 17 February 2019 (closed)

For more information, visit: www.citizentheatre.com.au for details.

Image: Citizen Theatre presents Forgotten Places – photo by Russell Mason

Review: David Collins