Monday 13 December 2010

Radio 3CR > Gongs: Curtain Calls 2010

Radio 3CR Curtain Gongs: Curtain Calls were awarded to shows, performances and technical that made an impact with the Curtain Up review team in 2010.

Hoy Polloy received the following Radio 3CR Curtain Up Gongs: Curtain Calls 2010 for:
Dying City
written by Christopher Shinn
directed by Matt Scholten
featuring Zoe Ellerton-Ashley and Brad Williams

Detailed direction by Matt Scholten of a rather bleak play about a young war widow whose husband has died in Iraq. Excellent performances by Zoe Ellerton-Ashley and Brad Williams in the roles of the twin brothers, the military Craig and the gay actor Peter.
Electronic City
written by Falk Ritcher
translated by Daniel Brunet
directed by Wayne Pearn
featuring Dan Walls, Sarah Ogden, Nick Darling, Liza Dennis, Ngaire Dawn Fair, Elizabeth McColl, Luke Mulquiney and Daniel Rice

This unsettling yet clever work, directed by Wayne Pearn for Hoy Polloy Theatre, revealed all too clearly our dependency on and entrapment in the geekish modernity of the 21st century – special mention to lead actors Dan Walls and Sarah Ogden.

Tuesday 7 December 2010

The Australian > Now for something different

Visit The Australian for Alison Croggon's article "Now for something different" about independent theatre in Australia.

Monday 15 November 2010

Online Reviews > Electronic City

Please click on the links below for the online reviews of Electronic City:
Crikey > Andrew Fuhrmann
The Age and Behind The Critical Curtain > Cameron Woodhead
Theatre Notes > Alison Croggon
Arts Hub > Paul Knox
Capital Idea > John Bailey
Theatre People > Kathryn White

3CR Review > Electronic City

Reviewed by Carolyn Gunn on Friday, 12.11.10 for 3CR’s “Curtain Up” Sundays at 1.00pm on 855AM.
Whilst German playwright and director Falk Richter is unknown to me, research indicates that he is a very innovative and politically engaged young writer and an academic who studied Philosophy, Theatre and Linguistics, hardly a surprise when the staged work was viewed. The core of this work came across to me as power and control – what is it, who has it and who doesn’t.

We see two different people who meet by accident – they are in a global city where personal existence and identity have shrunk due to the power of technology, commerce and the control these modern factors have over everyone and our helplessness in combating it - after all, we humans are now only numbers and passwords in and dependent on an impersonal global system.

Whilst I found it a hard call at times, the playwright is accurately confronting these controls, perhaps in a more intellectual way than most of us ordinary, everyday people express our frustrations. We are all trapped in a world of computerisation and electronics - the internet, mobile phones, trying to make a phone call to a corporation (all by numbers, press 1, press 2), then on a more basic and local level, let’s throw in our total lack of power with banks, utility companies and myki… and how often do we go to a bank to draw out money only to be told that the computers are down ... and so it goes.

Tom is a consultant, flying around the world and being totally dependent on technology starts to lose his grip on life – he is confused and disorientated. His lover Joy is less sophisticated, currently working at an airport in an isolated world of selling pre-packed sandwiches to businessmen in a hurry. Then, when she is alone in the store her automatic scanner breaks down and the system collapses – there is no help and her only outside contact within her own little employment ghetto is via her mobile phone….one thing leads to another, disaster starts ‘chipping’ away and the ‘electronic city’ starts to break down.

I am reminded of a personal trip to Indonesia some years ago when sitting next to an engineer who was flying to an outlying island, we talked about the advances of computerisation re his business there – he told me then that they still often had to fall back on the old ‘set square and compass’ principles when electronics failed; also, how often at home during an electricity failure are we rendered helpless and have to revert to the usages of that 18th century essential, the humble candle.
Tom (Dan Walls) and Joy (Sarah Ogden) tell their stories and we see their panic and disintegration as the play unfolds with their dread and terror (interspersed with some comedy) being hyped up by an ever present type of ‘Greek Chorus’ – this clever ensemble constantly interjecting, confusing Tom and Joy and winding them up.

The work is played out on an open stage with lighting being the only technical support and the ensemble acting more interestingly geared to the approaches of straight revue with it’s movement, vocal styles, timing and placement – a theatrical approach I always enjoy although a little relief in the black costuming and surrounds could have created more contrast and surprise.

This unsettling yet clever work, directed by Wayne Pearn for Hoy Polloy Theatre, reveals all too clearly our dependency on and entrapment in the geekish modernity of the 21st century by controlling, powerful, manipulative and profiteering commercialism...
Hoy Polloy’s production of “Electronic City” plays at the Mechanics Institute for Performing Arts, cnr Sydney & Glenlyon Roads – Tram Route 19 (from the City), Stop 21 until 27th November – Bookings 9016 3873 or hoypolloy@bigpond.com

Recommended for those who like their theatre to have a bit of a challenge ... running time about 75 minutes.

Friday 12 November 2010

Christina Costigan comments on Electronic CIty

Comments about Electronic City from Christina Costigan on her blog: CC in LA.

Last night I saw Electronic City, the new show by local theatre group Hoy Polloy.  It was preview night, and I'm so glad I happened to be in town to catch it. Directed by Wayne Pearn (with assistance from Bridgette Burton), the show is in very good shape. It's a challengin...g piece for actors, with a lot of chorus work creating vocal soundscapes of frenetic, madness-inducing chatter, robotic instructions, alarms and electronic white noise. The effect is quite thrilling, even as it spins your head around and reminds you what you hate about travelling, and how paranoidly (is that a word?) reliant we are on electronic devices such as phones and computers, and the panic that can set in if we forget the charger, can't get online, or find ourselves in an interminable line at airport security.

The show officially opens tonight. If you're in Melbourne, check it out.

Production Pics > Electronic City

Please find below our production pics for Electronic City available for publication. Click on the image to access the high resolution picture.

Credit: Fred Kroh











Monday 4 October 2010

Publicity Pic > Electronic City

Please find below our publicity pic for Electronic City available for publication. Click on the image to access the high resolution picture.

Credit: Fred Kroh
Caption: Sarah Ogden (Joy) and Dan Walls (Tom)

Friday 24 September 2010

Cast Announcement > Electronic City

We are pleased to announce the cast of Electronic City written by Falk Richter and translated by Daniel Brunet:
Tom > Dan Walls
Joy > Sarah Ogden
Chorus > Nick Darling
Chorus > Liza Dennis
Chorus > Ngaire Dawn Fair
Chorus > Liz McColl
Chorus > Luke Mulquiney
Chorus > Daniel Rice

Thursday 23 September 2010

Poster > Electronic City

Please find attached our poster artwork for Electronic City commissioned by Matthew Windebank at Millimetre.

Friday 10 September 2010

Goethe-Institut Australien > BERLIN DAYZ


Hoy Polloy's production of Electronic City written by Falk Richter, translated by Daniel Brunet and directed by Wayne Pearn is part of the Goethe-Institut Australien 2010 German-Australian Arts Festival: BERLIN DAYZ.

From high classic culture to pop and rock, from the stalls and balconies of concert halls to hazy bars – BERLIN DAYZ offers many delights and opportunities to sample the best of what the Berlin and Australian arts scenes have to offer.

Click on the link for details about:
- BERLIN DAYZ
- BERLIN DAYZ > Electronic City

Thursday 26 August 2010

Play Reading > Rhonda Is In Therapy

As part of the RE Ross Trust and State Library of Victoria's Flashpoint series, Bridgette Burton's play Rhonda Is In Therapy will have a rehearsed reading at fortyfivedownstairs directed by Wayne Pearn and featuring Jamie Caldwell, Louise Crawford, Ben Grant and Kelly Nash.

In 2009, Bridgette was the recipient of RE Ross Trust Playwrights’ Script Development Award for Rhonda Is In Therapy.

Rhonda Is In Therapy deals with the overpowering grief of a mother after the death of her child. In order to survive the death of her beloved son, Rhonda Stoldt self-medicates by creating a therapist to talk to; this delusion shapes her daily life with her husband, surviving child and lover. Rhonda’s inability to deal with her loss has so changed her own emotional and intellectual landscape that she cannot determine what is real and what is imagined.

Date: Friday, 3 September 2010
Time: 7.30pm
Admission: free entry
Bookings: 03 9662 9966

Further details:
fortyfivedownstairs
Facebook

Sunday 22 August 2010

Australian Premiere (translation) > Electronic City



Theatre > Australian Premiere (translation)
Presented in partnership with the Goethe-Institut Australia
as part of Berlin Dayz
Electronic City
written by Falk Richter
translated by Daniel Brunet
directed by Wayne Pearn
Globalisation, communication, digitalisation, standardisation, disorientation ... disintegration.

Electronic City is a burgeoning, all encompassing, uber techno metropolis where flexibility and resilience is paramount for success and survival.

BER: Berlin, MEL: Melbourne, TPE: Taipei, JFK: New York, FCO: Rome, MAD: Madrid – Tom hasn’t any idea what city he is in ... he’s moving so fast he’s going nowhere.

Tom's great love, Joy, is working the check out at the ‘ready to eat’ store in an airport – she dreams of George Clooney and longs for Tom ... her life is being filmed in a reality documentary soap.

Joy's infrared scanner has broken down as the queue of impatient corporates grows larger ... the system has crumpled.

The global conveyor belt has ceased – this is Electronic City.

“A fairy tale for media times”
Fischerverlage – Theater & Medien

“... a panic-stricken farce from the inner mental world of contemporary busyness ...”
Theaterheute

Preview: Thursday, 11 November 2010
Season: 12 – 27 November 2010
8.15pm Tuesday – Saturday
5.00pm Sunday

Venue:
MIPAC, Brunswick
corner Sydney & Glenlyon Roads

Tickets:
$30 Adult
$20 Concession / Groups 10+
$18 Tuesdays
$15 Preview

Bookings:
03 9016 3873
hoypolloy@bigpond.com

Monday 16 August 2010

Superfluities Redux > Christopher Shinn, Down Under

Please visit George Hunka small piece, "Christopher Shinn, Down Under" on Superfluities Redux.

Wednesday 11 August 2010

Special Presentation > M. by Josh Croggon

Hoy Polloy presents a special reading of
M.
Written by Josh Croggon
A play reading directed by Matt Scholten

Featuring Zoe Ellerton-Ashley and Brad Williams

Sunday, 15 August 2010 at 7.00pm

Following the presentation of our current production of Dying City by Christopher Shinn.

Venue:
MIPAC, Brunswick
corner Sydney & Glenlyon Roads
Tram Route 19 – Stop 19

Gold Coin Donation - proceeds go to:

Derby Street Children's Centre, Pascoe Vale

Online Reviews > Dying City

Please click on the links below for the reviews of Dying City:
Theatre Notes > Alison Croggon
The Age > Cameron Woodhead
Crikey & Neandellus > Andrew Fuhrmann
Trip The Light Fantastick > David Maney
Aussie Theatre > Kathryn Goldie
The Morning After: Performing arts in Australia > Catherine de Saint Phalle (guest post)

3CR Review > Dying City

Reviewed by Carolyn Gunn on Friday, 06.08.10 for 3CR’s “Curtain Up” Sundays at 1.00pm on 855AM.
The Director’s Prog notes describe this play thus: ”Christopher Shinn’s moving and highly personal play is an intimate story of loss and identity buffeted by monstrous world events. The play examines the lives of three people, linked by love, family, war and politics” and upon viewing this work it is all that and more.

Kat Chan’s clever set design (within black tabs) uses dozens of cardboard boxes at different heights/levels – one views them firstly as room divisions but as the play moves on we interpret them as storage for a war widow intending to move on, I also saw it as the irony of ‘closure in a box’. Other physical components, i.e lighting, sound etc really compliment the production.

The young war widow is Kelly whose husband Craig has died in Iraq – she is quiet and withdrawn in her grief and is reserved in her response to a visit from Craig’s gay twin brother Peter who visits after a 12 mths absence following the funeral; she is physically and personally drab and is, of all things, a therapist by profession but privately is not coping. Brother-in-law Peter is an actor of middling success, his latest relationship has broken up, so as the play starts we meet two very broken people, obviously emotionally stressed but….. is there more to the psychological and emotional damage than we first perceive? Also throughout the play I felt ‘denial’ was an underlying factor.

The play switches from the present with Peter and Kelly to flashbacks of Kelly and Craig’s marriage before he went for his final tour of duty in Iraq – but the marriage is not without difficulties, many of them seeming to come from Craig’s military involvement and what the army has turned him into. Whilst not key points in the play, there are references to Peter and Craig’s father being a Vietnam veteran (here I recall the Mi Lai massacre and subsequent charges against some of the U.S. military), then there’s the 9/11 destruction of the Twin Towers in New York and more recently a comment by the U.S. commander of Abu Ghraib who estimated later that 90% of detainees in the prison were innocent.

So throughout the grief and drama of the three characters in this play, war in general does make its point and particularly the lasting (and often hidden) impact it has on so many of its participants.

In departing for Iraq, Craig left Kelly on a stormy and emotional note, chilling in his feelings and explanations and of his personal and ambitious views for his future….and her hopes for a family life and children disintegrate – so beneath her natural and expected grief there are many issues that one doubts that she will ever deal with. Twin brother Peter gets by theatrically up to a point and resorts constantly to copies of the emotional and disturbing emails he received from Craig…..reading them again and again.

Now to the two actors – Firstly Zoe Ellerton-Ashley as Kelly – so bleak and reserved in her responses to Peter yet surprising with strong outbursts on occasion; we see her mostly happy, young and vivacious with husband Craig until their final scene – the demanding and significant changes in mood/emotions and physical approaches were very well met.

Brad Williams in the roles of the twin brothers, the military Craig and the gay actor Peter again faced dramatic challenges – we see the gradual changes in Craig and sense in his personality something very tense simmering underneath…. As Peter there was a lighter and a necessary slight theatrical approach but one that suggested to me a naiveté in the complete understanding of all that had transpired…….and its consequences… But there again each person in life deals with tragedy so very differently……

There is much more to this 90 minute play than I can describe here – and yes it does sound like a heavy night at the theatre – BUT the show, as directed by Matt Scholten, was so interesting and absorbing both with its text and excellent performances, I can only say ‘highly recommended’ and that it’s the best piece of fringe theatre I have seen in quite a while….and in basic terms, this drama ‘will really get you in’.

HOY POLLOY’s production of–“DYING CITY” plays Tues to Sat at 8.15pm and 5pm on Sundays – season runs to 29th August………Venue is the warm and comfortable Mechanics Institute performing space, Cnr Sydney and Glenlyon Rds Brunswick. Tram Route 19 – stop 21. BKGS: 9016 3873 or hoypolloy@bigpond.com

Challenging theatre – don’t miss it…

Friday 6 August 2010

Production Pics > Dying City

Please find below our production pics for Dying City available for publication.
Click on the image to access the high resolution picture.

Credit: Tim Williamson
Caption: Zoe Ellerton-Ashley (Kelly) and Brad Williams (Peter/Craig)





Tuesday 3 August 2010

Australian Stage > Feature: Christopher Shinn

Please visit Australian Stage for Simon Piening's feature on playwright Christopher Shinn.

Monday 2 August 2010

The Age > Walking wounded


Visit The Age for Robin Usher's article "Walking wounded" about Dying City by Christopher Shinn, which opens next week.

Picture: Roger Cummins

Tuesday 29 June 2010

Publicity Pic > Dying City

Please find below our publicity pic for Dying City available for publication.
Click on the image to access the high resolution picture.
Credit: Fred Kroh

Saturday 26 June 2010

Victorian Premiere > Dying City

Theatre > Victorian Premiere
Dying City
by Christopher Shinn
Set in the aftermath of 9/11 New York City, Dying City follows a therapist who is confronted by her husband's identical twin, who suspects that his brother's death in Iraq was not an accident.

Dying City is a quiet, unsettling play about grief, identity and violence in the human psyche – the lies, betrayal and self-deceptions and the centrality of hate in human existence.

Everyday, directly and indirectly, we all perpetrate or allow violence to occur in some form.

Some of us are troubled by this, some of us driven by it and most of us don't really talk about it.

Christopher Shinn writes about the violence we can see and an even darker violence located within.

“Anyone who doubts that Mr. Shinn is among the most provocative and probing of American playwrights today need only experience the ... sophisticated welding of form and content that is Dying City.”
The New York Times

"Shinn is able to take the political and humanize it – transforming the stuff of daily news stories into a devastating statement on the unforeseen and often hidden consequences of war."
AP News

Creative:
Director – Matt Scholten
Design – Kat Chan
Lighting – Tom Willis
Composer – Ben Keene

Cast:
Kelly – Zoe Ellerton-Ashley
Peter / Craig – Brad Williams

Preview: Thursday, 5 August 2010
Season: 6 – 21 August 2010
8.15pm Tuesday – Saturday
5.00pm Sunday

Venue:
MIPAC, Brunswick
corner Sydney & Glenlyon Roads

Tickets:
$30 Adult
$20 Concession / Groups 10+
$18 Tuesdays
$15 Preview

Bookings:
03 9016 3873
hoypolloy@bigpond.com

Cast Announcement > Dying City

We are pleased to announce the cast of the Victorian premiere of Dying City written by Christopher Shinn:
Kelly > Zoe Ellerton-Ashley
Peter / Craig > Brad Williams

Thursday 13 May 2010

Production Pics > Democracy

Please find below our production pics for Democracy available for publication.

Click on the image to access the high resolution picture.

Credit: Fred Kroh





Tuesday 27 April 2010

Publicity Pics > Democracy

Please find below our publicity pics for Democracy available for publication.

Click on the image to access the high resolution picture.

Credit: Fred Kroh



Wednesday 21 April 2010

World Premiere > Democracy




World Premiere > Hybrid Theatre: Data Jamming
Presented in partnership with Feedback Loop

Democracy
by Feedback Loop

Information is power.

As the distribution of information, freedom of communication and the accessibility of technology expands into the hands of ordinary citizens around the globe, Democracy explores and demonstrates the consequences of this rapid manifestation of information technology.

Politics, economics, communication and culture are examined within this genre expanding sound and motion production.

Feedback Loop takes control of real-time information, open-source software, raw data and consumer technologies to explore the changing forms of democracy.

One moment the audience is privy to the whims of the stock market expressed through reactive architectural lighting – the next, they will sink lucidly into a sea of deep affected electronica.

By exposing the powerful reality of people's ability to access, utilize and distribute, Democracy invites the audience into the reality of our future – today.

Feedback Loop are pioneers in this relatively new hybrid theatre genre called data jamming, which involves data sampling and re-contextualising information from "the cloud" and filtering it through into the lens of technology.

Creative:
Creation & Design – Tim Bright and Nick Darling

Preview:
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Season: 12 – 23 May 2010
8.30pm Wednesday – Saturday
3.00pm Sunday

Venue:
MIPAC, Brunswick – corner Sydney & Glenlyon Roads

Tickets:

$20 General Admission
$15 Preview

Bookings:

03 9016 3873
hoypolloy@bigpond.com

Monday 29 March 2010

Announcement > Season 2010

Welcome to our Season 2010. We have worked diligently to put together a diverse and different program that is sure to entertain, challenge and raise discussion amongst our audiences.

First up we’re very excited to present the world premiere of Democracy in partnership with Melbourne based sound and motion outfit – Feedback Loop. Feedback Loop principals Tim Bright and Nick Darling have put together what we consider a thrilling way forward in performance in the new hybrid theatre genre called "data jamming".

In August, Matt Scholten will direct American playwright Christopher Shinn’s provocative and moving Dying City. This is Matt’s first production with Hoy Polloy – he comes to us with an excellent reputation directing an extensive body of work around Melbourne.

As part of the Berlin Dayz festival presented by the Goethe-Institut Australia in November, I will direct the Australian premiere of Electronic City by Falk Richter translated by Daniel Brunet. This is a fantastic piece that hurtles at the speed of sound – hang onto your hats!

To all of our supporters – thank you for sticking with us. 2010 promises to be a ride you won’t forget.

Wayne Pearn
Hoy Polloy Artistic Director

Hybrid Theatre: Data Jamming – world premiere
Presented in partnership with Feedback Loop

Democracy
by Feedback Loop

Information is power.

As the distribution of information, freedom of communication and the accessibility of technology expands into the hands of ordinary citizens around the globe, Democracy explores and demonstrates the consequences of this rapid manifestation of information technology.

Politics, economics, communication and culture are examined within this genre expanding sound and motion production.

Feedback Loop takes control of real-time information, open-source software, raw data and consumer technologies to explore the changing forms of democracy.

One moment the audience is privy to the whims of the stock market expressed through reactive architectural lighting – the next, they will sink lucidly into a sea of deep affected electronica.

By exposing the powerful reality of peoples ability to access, utilize and distribute, Democracy invites the audience into the reality of our future – today.

Feedback Loop are pioneers in this relatively new hybrid theatre genre called data jamming, which involves data sampling and re-contextualising information from "the cloud" and filtering it through into the lens of technology.

Creative:
Creation & Design – Tim Bright and Nick Darling

Preview: Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Season: 12 – 23 May 2010
8.30pm Wednesday – Saturday
3.00pm Sunday

Venue:

MIPAC, Brunswick – corner Sydney & Glenlyon Roads

Tickets:
$20 General Admission
$15 Preview

Bookings:
03 9016 3873
hoypolloy@bigpond.com

Theatre – Victorian premiere
Dying City
written by Christopher Shinn

Set in the aftermath of 9/11 New York City, Dying City follows a therapist who is confronted by her husband's identical twin, who suspects that his brother's death in Iraq was not an accident.

Dying City is a quiet, unsettling play about grief, identity and violence in the human psyche – the lies, betrayal and self-deceptions and the centrality of hate in human existence.

Everyday, directly and indirectly, we all perpetrate or allow violence to occur in some form.

Some of us are troubled by this, some of us driven by it and most of us don't really talk about it.

Christopher Shinn writes about the violence we can see and an even darker violence located within.

“Anyone who doubts that Mr. Shinn is among the most provocative and probing of American playwrights today need only experience the ... sophisticated welding of form and content that is Dying City.”

The New York Times

"Shinn is able to take the political and humanize it – transforming the stuff of daily news stories into a devastating statement on the unforeseen and often hidden consequences of war."
AP News

Creative:
Director – Matt Scholten
Set & Costume Designer – Kat Chan
Composer – Ben Keene

Preview: Thursday, 5 August 2010
Season: 6 – 21 August 2010
8.15pm Tuesday – Saturday
5.00pm Sunday

Venue:
MIPAC, Brunswick – corner Sydney & Glenlyon Roads

Tickets:
$30 Adult
$20 Concession / Groups 10+
$18 Tuesdays
$15 Preview

Bookings:
03 9016 3873
hoypolloy@bigpond.com

Theatre – Australian premiere
Presented as part of Berlin Dayz by the Goethe-Institut Australia

Electronic City
written by Falk Richter
translated by Daniel Brunet

Globalisation, communication, digitalisation, standardisation, disorientation ... disintegration.

Electronic City is a burgeoning, all encompassing, uber techno metropolis where flexibility and resilience is paramount for success and survival.

BER: Berlin, MEL: Melbourne, TPE: Taipei, JFK: New York, FCO: Rome, MAD: Madrid – Tom hasn’t any idea what city he is in ... he’s moving so fast he’s going nowhere.

Tom's great love, Joy, is working the check out at the ‘ready to eat’ store in an airport – she dreams of George Clooney and longs for Tom ... her life is being filmed in a reality documentary soap.

Joy's infrared scanner has broken down as the queue of impatient corporates grows larger ... the system has crumpled.

The global conveyor belt has ceased – this is Electronic City.

“A fairy tale for media times”

Fischerverlage – Theater & Medien

“... a panic-stricken farce from the inner mental world of contemporary busyness ...”
Theaterheute

Creative:
Director – Wayne Pearn
Set & Costume Designer – Kat Chan
Lighting Designer – Ben Morris
Sound & Motion Designer – Feedback Loop

Preview: Thursday, 11 November 2010
Season: 12 – 27 November 2010
8.15pm Tuesday – Saturday
5.00pm Sunday

Venue:
MIPAC, Brunswick – corner Sydney & Glenlyon Roads

Tickets:
$30 Adult
$20 Concession / Groups 10+
$18 Tuesdays
$15 Preview

Bookings:
03 9016 3873
hoypolloy@bigpond.com

Subscriptions > Season 2010
Two or three play subscriptions are available for Hoy Polloy's Season 2010.

For more details regarding subscriptions, please contact:
03 9016 3873
hoypolloy@bigpond.com

Thursday 11 February 2010

It is coming – our Season 2010 announcement

... we're close to finalising the season for this year – and we are considering a new interesting initiative. Please stay tuned!