A collision between wrestling and dance, Shaun Johnston’s The Scramble will be presented at Metro Arts, as part of the Brisbane Festival, this September.
Two men grapple across a theatre floor. They lunge, collide and slam into the ground. Are they fighting, or caring for each other? In this raw, athletic duel, they knock each other down, pull each other back up and return to the struggle.
In The Scramble, the wrestlers shift between friend and foe as they reveal the tenderness, trust and vulnerability that can exist beneath masculine physicality. Driven by a pounding rock soundtrack, this gripping performance blends explosive movement with quiet intimacy, uncovering the powerful ways men connect through touch.
Following a sold-out season at Perth’s Blue Room Theatre, and with a swathe of award wins and nominations in hand including Best Performer, Best Production, Best New Work, The Scramble is bringing its inventive mix of dance and wrestling to Brisbane.
Created by Shaun Johnston in collaboration with performers Luther Wilson and Nathan Turtur, The Scramble is a compelling meditation on male vulnerability, intimacy and bravado – a celebration of the often silent and unseen ways men seek closeness through contact.
“This work draws on my experience in wrestling gyms, and the intense friendships that develop from participation in rough, competitive sports,” said Johnston.
“Wrestling is physically intense and often aggressive, but wrestling practice is underpinned by mutual respect, support, and an understanding of boundaries. The positive impact of my wrestling community – on my relationships, my sense of self, and my perspective on masculinity – was the impetus for The Scramble.”
Director: Shaun Johnston | Featuring: Nathan Turtur, Luther Wilson | Lighting Designer / Technical Manager: Adelaide Harney | Sound Designer: Ryan Burge | Dramaturgy: Tyrone Robison, David Vikman | Producer: Samantha Hortin
The Scramble
Metro Arts, 97 Boundary Street, West End (Brisbane)
Season: 16 – 19 September 2026
Information and Bookings: www.metroarts.com.au
Image: The Scramble – photo by Andrea Mae