On the Couch with Gavin Robins

Arts Review On the Couch Gavin JacobsWho is Gavin Robins?
Visual Theatre Director and Head of Movement at NIDA.

What would you do differently to what you do now?   
I would take more time in life to generally be more present in each moment, enjoy the silences and stillness within the fury of life.

Who inspires you and why?  
My wife Lucia Mastrantone, actor, writer and mother extraordinaire, who reminds me of the ability to be spontaneous and magical. Like many great mothers she inspires me to find a balance between friends, family and work; which has definitely been a juggling act.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?  
Encourage more diversity in our theatre and celebrate the incredible stories that surround us.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
Seville – passionate singing in the streets; children as welcome at the bar as they are in the playground; and fine seafood and wine that nearly everyone can afford!

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
The Bondi/Bronte walk and the Watsons Bay Hotel to show off the dramatic cliffs, surf and natural wonders that our Sydney boasts.

What are you currently reading?  
A pocket publication of the Bhagavad-Gita I picked up on a recent trip to Mumbai, a great spirit leveller.

What are you currently listening to?
Pumping old circus tracks from the album Gypsy Fever that I’m featuring in the production of Born in Sawdust that I’m directing for NICA.

Happiness is?
Watching a great film on a cosy lounge, snuggling the fam, sipping single malt with fine chocolate.

What does the future hold for you?
Building a company of talented physical theatre graduates from NIDA to collaborate with both here in Australia and abroad, with frequent stopovers for inspiration in Seville with my family!

Gavin Robins is an Internationally acclaimed director of physical theatre, circus and aerial performance. His work combines daring physical performance with new technologies including digital projection, animation, animatronics and automation.

Gavin has worked as Movement Director for a myriad of award winning theatrical productions, opening events, films, television commercials , and music videos. Gavin was awarded a Helpmann, for Outstanding Theatrical Achievement for his movement direction of King Kong and was recently appointed the Head of Movement at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts ( NIDA ) in Sydney.

From 1994 to 2000 Gavin was a core member of Legs on the Wall physical theatre company. He has created and performed acrobatic and aerial works for theatre festivals across the globe. In 2000 he worked with Nigel Jamieson on the Sydney Olympic Opening Ceremony.

Further successful collaborations with Jamieson include the Dreamworks Arena Spectacular How to Train Your Dragon, Opera Australia’s La Fanciulla, Sydney Theatre Company’s Gallipoli, and Wrong Skin commissioned by the Adelaide Festival.

As a Creative Director, Gavin’s credits include: The Opening of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, The Opening of 2012 Dubai National Day, Sydney Festival First Night’s High Flyers, and the National Institute of Circus Arts’ At First Sight.

Gavin is currently directing Born in Sawdust which is playing at NICA until 28 November 2015. For more information, visit: www.nica.com.au or www.gavinrobins.com for details.

Image: Gavin Robins (supplied)