2023

To me, Picnic at Hanging Rock is all about who belongs where, and how. In 1900 British schoolkids were aliens here, romanticised invaders, themselves oppressed by patriarchal values of extraction.

Extraction. Extraction. Extraction.

In this contemporary version by Tom Wright, the landscape and language are their own characters, fighting, or simply existing. There’s jarring references to flora and fauna species that once would’ve already had well-known names. Time feeds in on itself. Space seems warped. Self-awareness grows. The design elements of this production celebrate the trippy psychedelic dark gritty whimsy of the original book cover by Alison Forbes – a creative truth-gem that’s since been watered down. All of the stage walls were removed to expose the granite rock of the building, first quarried [extracted] by convicts from Corndarup/Mt. Clarence.

The best thing about this production has been working with Billie. Together we have fostered a culture of creative collaboration. The ensemble of actors and crew are incredible and generous, and it has been loud and intense and rewarding. And with so much tea.

Over the last 3 months this space has felt at times like a real movie set or Broadway theatre, with a proactive ensemble of people all doing random things, but with a cause, like ants.