An explosive insight into the universal dilemma of modern human desire, combining surreal circus work with athletic brilliance, astonishing imagery and provocative text, one of Australia’s leading circus directors Zebastian Hunter (Cirque du Soleil, NICA, NIDA), premieres his most recent work, Perpetual Frustration Machine at Theatre Works from 8 December 2018.
Four daring physical artists will throw themselves against the destructive desire for darkness, embracing the poetry of Sewell’s text whilst taking the audience on an adventure spanning great heights. Comical, poignant, frenetic and poetic, this joyous dance of daring circus invites audiences to cavort along with performers until the world’s end.
Co-creators, Stephen Sewell (AFI Award Winner, Head of Writing – NIDA) and Hunter, have imagined a circus drama inspired by the seminal works of psychoanalyst and philosopher, Jacques Lacan, particularly his relationship to the Death Drive.
The cast includes legendary physical theatre visionary Debra Batton (Legs on the Wall, Circus Oz, A Good Catch) following an acclaimed season at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and features some of Australia’s brightest circus performers including Adam O’connor-McMahon (Perth International Arts Festival, Strut n Fret, Maximaa), Seth Scheuner (Circa, Ecole Nationale De Cirque, Flying Fruit Fly Circus) and Stephanie Benson (Feed the Horse, NICA).
Following Hunter’s acclaimed production of Empty Bodies and sell-out season of Le Sacré, Perpetual Frustration Machine is a startling display of acts, juggling, tight wire, contortion, pole dancing, aerial hoop, knife throwing and much more to express the extreme depths of our modern affliction.
Director: Zebastian Hunter Featuring: Debra Batton, Stephanie Benson, Adam O’connor-McMahon, Seth Scheuner Artistic Associate: Benjamin Sheen Set & Costume Designer: Stephanie Howe Sound Designer: Ian Moorhead Lighting Design: Richard Vabre Production Manager: Steph Cox Production Manager / Rigger / Set Builder: Wayne Appleton Writer: Stephen Sewell
Perpetual Frustration Machine
Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda
Season: 8 – 23 December 2018 (preview: 7 December)
Information and Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au
Image: Stephanie Benson, Seth Scheuner and Adam O’connor-McMahon feature in Perpetual Frustration Machine – photo by Sean Paris