Show Description

They say that ‘fame is a fickle food upon a shifting plate’, and yet nothing tastes sweeter than the nectar of forbidden fruit. Like moths to a flame, fame draws in its subjects only to leave them scorched by the spotlight.
 
In this circus-theatre show of the century, a posse of egomaniacs discover that the road to hell is paved with red carpet and a god complex can only get you so far.
 
Trapped in a never-ending cycle of posing, smiling, and waving to adoring fans, for whom, the novelty never seems to cease - will our celebrities escape their prison, or risk it all and ascend until they’re immortalised amongst the stars?

Tumble, twirl, and fly in the shoes of the rich and famous as they perform acts of swinging trapeze, Chinese pole, acrobatics and more.

Our young divas thrive under the direction of prolific multidisciplinary artist, Carita Farrer Spencer (Pescado, NICA 2015), whose professional career spans three decades full of enviable collaborations. Draped in Savanna Wegman’s designs (Biographica, Lyric Opera Theatre Works) with the assistance of Melbourne Polytechnic costume design students, the wardrobe exudes luxury with its cleverly crafted textiles and considered embellishments. The stage - sentient, attitudinal, and questionably motivated - is created by NICA alum and established set designer, Tim Rutty (GRIM, 2023). A feverish mixtape by musical maestro Darius Kedros (THIS, Rising Festival 2023) adds the appropriate amount of oomph to this celebrity soap opera. And shedding light on scenes of chaos is Spencer Herd (Frame Narrative, Old Fitz Theatre 2024), live performance lighting designer with an eye for detail so sharp it makes 20/20 vision look like an ocular impairment.
 
An Oscar-worthy performance of opulence and grandeur, Famous is toxic, delusional, batty, and brilliant. 

Watch the full show here.


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Date performed: June 2024


Location: Melbourne


Credits:
Poster by: Cameron Grant.
Production images by: Cameron Grant.
Videography by: Masterworks Media Productions.