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Food Court illuminates Back to Back's excellence
Back to Back Theatre, a unique ensemble of actors with disabilities from Geelong, Victoria present their newest work Food Court with music from Australian cult band, The Necks, as part of Luminous, a festival curated by Brian Eno at Sydney Opera House.
Food Court premiered in Australia last October as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival to sold out audiences and much critical acclaim. Following the European premiere at the Kunstenfestivaldearts in Belgium, Sydney Opera House will present two shows only on Tuesday 9 June and Wednesday 10 June 2008.
Part concert, part theatre show, Food Court features the idiosyncratic vision of Back to Back Theatre and the music of The Necks, who improvise a driving score for each performance.
Set in the lush minimalism of an illuminated white void, the story of one woman’s humiliation is played out in a psychological space constructed from light and sound. Luminously fragile, Food Court is a near death experience in a suburban wonderland where a small fatality of dignity takes place between The Asian Hut and The Juice Bar.
Back to Back Theatre is a leading example of new forms of contemporary theatre, imagined from the minds of a unique ensemble of actors with disabilities. Their work gives voice to social and political issues that speak to all people. They have toured extensively overseas and have received international awards for past productions including The Age Critics Award for Creative Excellence 2002, the ZKB Appreciation Prize in Zurich Switzerland 2007 and the Bessie Award, Under the Radar Festival, New York 2008.
As part of the Luminous Festival, Back to Back Theatre take their place amongst world renowned artists and visionaries such as Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Jon Hassell, Seum Kuti and Egypt 80. Curator of the festival, Brian Eno, describes the Luminous artists as “defying obvious categorisation.” Chief Executive of Sydney Opera House, Ryan Evans describes the festival as “a bold and challenging event that will fill an obvious gap in Sydney’s cultural calender.”
Back to Back Theatre also produce community programs in Australia and abroad. They facilitate workshops and master classes and participate in public discussions and panels. Their experimental residency models create space for the intuition of collaborating artists and community participants.
Food Court is set to be a fine example of the artistic rationale of Back to Back which states:
Back to Back Theatre creates theatre to dissect the unspoken imaginings of society. Our theatre is an analysis of the biological, psychological and social dynamics that simultaneously unify and separate our audience. We want people to think about the strangeness of their own thoughts.
When: 7:30pm from 9 to 10 June 2009.
Where: Opera Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Contact: Bookings call box office 02 9250 7777 or sydneyoperhouse.com/luminous
Access: Lift service at Stage Door for wheelchair access and customers with limited mobility. Designated wheelchair spaces in theatre – bookings requires. Service animals welcome. Accessible toilets and accessible parking available – see Access guide at sydneyoperahouse.com for further information.
Cost: A Reserve $60 / $50 concession and B Reserve prices $50 / $40 concession.
More info: sydneyoperahouse.com.au and backtobacktheatre.com
“Food Court is a triumph …… a work of devastating honesty and, ultimately, extraordinary beauty that confirms Back to Back as a key player in contemporary theatre.” Alison Croggon, Theatre Notes, 16 October 2008.
Photo by Jeff Busby.