Preparing to take audiences on an adventure outside the theatre once again, NORPA has announced it will stage its original work Wildskin in a warehouse space at the Lismore Showgrounds this September.
A sensory, destination-theatre experience, Wildskin inhabits an outrageous and unpredictable world that’s part bush-thriller, part road-trip and a whole lot of NORPA’s signature theatrical style.
From the company that brought you Love for One Night at the Eltham Hotel, Wildskin will transform the space at the Lismore Showgrounds to immerse you in the story from the moment you arrive.
Be taken on a wild ride with Eva, who believes the only way to mend her broken life is to go on the road, solo. Lost, alone and under-prepared, she is soon breaking rules, and embracing danger.
First performed in 2018, Wildskin thrilled audiences with its whip-smart dialogue and hilarious physicality, and was hailed as “A visual and emotional feast” (Australian Stage) and “inventive, playful, accessible and life-affirming.” (ArtsHub).
NORPA Artistic Director and Wildskin Director, Julian Louis, has turned up the dial for the 2024 version, relishing the opportunities presented by reimagining it as a site-specific work.
“Wildskin at the Lismore Showgrounds is a fantastic new beast, using an atmospheric location that perfectly lends itself to NORPA’s playful and physical style of storytelling,” he said.
“We’re creating a whole experience and doing what we love as a company, taking theatre into surprising places, pushing the form, and bringing audiences with us. It’s going to be a wild ride!” said Julian.
Julian has assembled five wildly talented performers, Cass Duell, Jade Dewi Tyas Tunggal, Kate Foster, Melia Naughton and Sara Browne, who make up an all-Northern Rivers cast.
Julian also brings together a stellar creative team that includes BAFTA winning filmmaker Hattie Dalton (Story and Lead Writer) and theatre and opera director Heather Fairbairn (Associate Director).
They are joined by acclaimed artist Charlotte Haywood (Set & Costume Designer), multidisciplinary artist Alex Torney (Lead Lighting Designer), artist Padi Bolliger (Co-Lighting Designer) and film & tv composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist Matt Blackman (Sound Designer).
Get the full Wildskin experience at the dinner and drinks pop-up at the showgrounds, or by catching the Wildskin bus from Ballina or Byron, where you’ll start tripping into another realm even earlier. If you love the unexpected, grab some friends, and hold on for this one-of-a-kind evening.
Wildskin
Lismore Showgrounds, 116 Alexandra Parade, North Lismore
Season: 12 – 28 September 2024
Information and Bookings: www.norpa.org.au
Image: NORPA’s 2018 production of Wildskin – photo by Darcy Grant