“an extraordinary play” New York Times, 2020
Sunday, June 19; 6:00 pm
duration: 35 min.
Admission by any Immersion Weekend ticket, seat reservations recommended.
How do we come together to make decisions in the best interests of our society? Three
activists with intellectual disabilities have organized a public meeting addressing that
question. On the agenda: a frank and open discussion of the history we would prefer to
ignore and a future that is rapidly getting out of hand.
The ethics of mass food production, human rights, and the social impact of automation are skillfully woven into a compelling story that explores the unstable foundations of modern society. The actors question the parameters of traditional theatre and their own perceived limitations, challenging contemporary assumptions about artificial intelligence and the human mind. The result is a theatrical revelation inspired by (human) errors, misreadings, and misrepresentations. It is a timely reminder that no one is self-sufficient and we are all responsible.
Weaving a narrative through human rights, sexual politics, and the projected dominance of artificial intelligence, The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes is a sly theatrical revelation inspired by mistakes, mis-readings, mis-leadings and misunderstanding, Shadow reminds us that none of us are self-sufficient and all of us are responsible.
The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes is a story about a public meeting, the type of meeting you would hope to happen in a certain kind of democracy.
How do we come together to make decisions that are in the best interest of a civic society? This is a play about individual and collective responsibility.
Back to Back Theatre creates new forms of contemporary performance imagined from the minds and experiences of a unique ensemble of actors with a disability, giving voice to social and political issues that speak to all people.
Over the last 30 years the company has made a body of work that questions the assumptions of what is possible in theatre, but also the assumptions we hold about themselves and others. The stories they pursue weave the personal, the political and the cosmic. They work to curiosity and interest in the live moment, to what sits within and between.
Based in the regional centre of Geelong, the company is one of Australia’s most globally recognised and respected contemporary theatre companies. In addition to its professional practice Back to Back Theatre collaborates intensively with communities around the world, with a focus on artistic excellence and elevated social inclusion for people with disabilities.
Authors Mark Deans, Michael Chan, Bruce Gladwin, Simon Laherty, Sarah Mainwaring, Scott Price, Sonia Teuben
Composition Luke Howard Trio – Daniel Farrugia, Luke Howard, Jonathon Zion
Performers Simon Laherty, Sarah Mainwaring, Scott Price
Director Bruce Gladwin
Screen Design Rhian Hinkley, lowercase
Lighting Design Andrew Livingston, bluebottle
Costume Design Shio Otani
Sound Design Lachlan Carrick
Script Consultant Melissa Reeves
Translation Jennifer Ma
Stage Manager Alana Hoggart
Sound Engineer Thomas Campbell
Production Manager Bao Ngouansavanh
Artist Support Erin Watson
Creative Development Michael Chan, Mark Cuthbertson, Mark Deans, Rhian Hinkley, Bruce Gladwin, Simon Laherty, Pippin Latham, Andrew Livingston, Sarah Mainwaring, Victoria Marshall, Scott Price, Brian Tilley, Sonia Teuben
Producers Alison Harvey, Tanya Bennett
Executive Producer Alice Nash
The Shadow Whose Prey the Hunter Becomes has been co-commissioned by Carriageworks, Theater der Welt 2020, Düsseldorf, the Keir Foundation, the Thyne Reid Foundation and The Anthony Costa Foundation, supported by Creative Partnerships Australia through Plus 1, with development support from the Geelong Arts Centre, Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne International Arts Festival, the Une Parkinson Foundation, The Public Theater (New York) and ArtsEmerson (Boston).
