Home to resident production companies, Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Dance Company, the 14 year old Walsh Bay space will feature two dramas that will provoke thoughts on what makes our home a home and how our actions affect others.
Beware of Pity is an Australian premiere exclusive to Sydney Festival. It’s the collaboration of two of Europe’s powerhouse theatre companies, Schaubuhne Berlin and Complicite. Teaming up to present their first production, it’s set in the pre-World War One empire of Austro-Hungary. The story reverberates in the past and present following a young calvary officer, Anton Hofmiller and his doomed romance with Edith, the paralyzed daughter of a local landowner. The dialogue is in German with English surtitles and explores a guilt ridden Anton in a tale of honour, love and betrayal. The alternating perspectives in narration are used to build fervency as we watch in suspense Anton’s plans to restore balance after his actions lead to the untimely death of Edith.
23 - 26 January 7.30pm, matinee 27 January at 2pm
Tickets: $109 / $71
Home is a minimally spoken piece of work on the set of a two storey house in a series of life moments presented in a collage of milestones.
Geoff Sobelle stars in Home, They call a theater a “house” by the way. Not to put too fine a point on it - but this is the HOUSE, and you are right now residing in this house for just a short while before some other body takes this same space and they claim it as theirs for a little while and they have their experience of pretty much the same thing, though completely different of course, and they bring all of their own stuff with them to this same space and it informs them of what they see…You can just think about all of the events that have transpired in your day and before you know it, you’ll just be floating through your doorway and hanging your hat and haunting your haunt and flopping on your lily pad and whatever other adage comes to mind…”
The ambiance in storytelling presented by a troupe of seven actors relies heavily on the moods created through the original music performed by Elvis Perkins. Showcasing themes in our social fabric, its described as a meditative experience exploring the human experience and life events that shape our definition of what makes a house a home. “Some internal compass will just unconsciously follow that trail of breadcrumbs and before you know it you’ll be snug up in your bed and dreaming once again… “ continues Sobelle, “Dreaming of other homes you once made….. How will you find your way home? How will you know it once you’re there?”
From birth, marriage, death, graduations, holiday events and everything else in between, it’s a depiction of intergenerational stories that occurs simultaneously.
9 - 18 Janueary
Tickets: $95 / $50
Photo Credits:
Beware of Pity - Gianmarco Bresadola
Home - Jacque-Jean Tiziou