Evoking connectedness in an often-disconnected Australian city, Oliver Wakelin and Christie Koppe presents The City in the Utzon Room – Sydney Opera House for a season of four performances from 25 February 2021.
Beginning in the darkness of the early morning, the metropolis is stirring and begins to come to life. A small number of actors depict all the roles, creating an experience of connectedness to the land that we share and those with whom we coexist.
The City aspires to find the spiritual in the quotidian, the beautiful in the mundane, and highlight our mutuality, to combat the isolation many are feeling in the social media age.
With a creative team full of award-winning talent lead by Director and Choreographer, Christie Koppe, this world-premiere performance relies on soundscape and voiceover as the actors inhabit the stage. Each depicting a multitude of characters in the cross-section of this Australian city.
“I am working from an approach that begins with physical movement, upon which I begin to add layers of context using both music and clear direction in the rehearsal room,” says Christie Koppe. “This then finds the right placement in the piece.
“Together with my ensemble of Actors, we will explore physical storytelling that correctly underpins the poetic script. It is marvellous to be able to work on a production in which I can take risk.”
“Risk in approaching the rehearsals through movement as its basis, through depicting a whole gamut of characters and even animals with our ensemble and in finding ways for this piece to be unique and vibrant,” says Koppe.
Director/Choreographer: Christie Koppe Featuring: Tel Benjamin, Alison Bennett, Lexie Dent, Nathalie Fenwick, Rocco Forrester-Sach, Zoran Jevtic, Rebecca Kellahan, Lex Marinos Original Composition and Sound Design: Nate Edmondson Original Songs: Drew Livingston Lighting Design: James Wallis Intimacy Coordinator: Shondelle Pratt Playwrights: Oliver Wakelin and Drew Livingston Producers: Oliver Wakelin and Christie Koppe
The City
Utzon Room – Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney
Performances: Thursday 25 and Friday 26 February 2021 – 3.00pm / 7.00pm
Information and Bookings: www.sydneyoperahouse.com
Image: The City – artwork by Mark Chester Harding