Set against a haunting landscape of a collapsing world, Fusion Theatre presents The Weathering – a raw, experimental surge of original live performance at Theatre Works, from 16 – 18 October, as part of the 2025 Melbourne Fringe.
Where science meets story, and survival becomes art. In a genre defying blend of physical theatre, original sound, projection and puppetry, The Weathering challenges the dire climate crisis and extreme weather events through the voices of those often excluded from the conversation.
Scenes shift between chaos and calm, collapse and renewal. A world on the edge is conjured, where voices rise through the wreckage, bodies move like breaking waves, and resilience, hope and laughter ultimately form in the eye of the storm.
Under the direction of Darcy McGaw and Jo Raphael and devised by a diverse ensemble of 24, the majority of whom identify as a person living with disability, The Weathering is bold, boundary pushing work, a poetic act of resilience and regeneration.
Fusion Theatre was co-founded in 1997 by Alex Litsoudis, disabled artist and Jo Raphael, Artistic Director. Actors with disability are part of the governing board, and all ensemble members work together to decide on the creative direction of the company.
Fusion’s actors are diverse, including cultural and linguistic diversity, low socio-economic status, and members with disability, who might not otherwise have access to the arts. Fusion has been creating and devising original, independent theatre for the last 25 years.
Over the years, they have developed their radically accessible practice. A key aspect of this being the development of the ensemble to include support workers as part of the core artist collective. Breaking down participation barriers for those who would not otherwise be able to join in.
The Weathering
Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda
Season: 16 – 18 October 2025
Bookings: www.melbournefringe.com.au
For more information, visit: www.theatreworks.org.au for details.
Image: Fusion Theatre presents The Weathering – photo by SMW Image