Simon Mumford
07 September 2024, 10:00 PM
Get ready to go on a wild ride of storytelling and physical theatre in Wildskin, opening next Thursday, 12th of September. NORPA is once again taking audiences on an adventure outside the theatre, this time to a rural warehouse at the Lismore Showgrounds.
Eva believes the only way to mend her broken life is to go on the road, solo. Lost, alone and under-prepared, she is soon breaking rules, and embracing danger. After encountering wild animals and even wilder humans, does Eva have the primal instincts to handle any challenge life throws at her?
“I’m so excited to share this show with audiences – it is complex and layered while also being highly entertaining. It’s a work that explores narrative in a multi-dimensional way – there are different ways to interpret this story. Wildskin has been built through a very collaborative process with amazing local creatives and cast" said Julian Louis, Wildskindirector and Artistic Director of NORPA.
"There's a huge amount of excitement and anticipation in the team. Now, we've spent a long time working on the project and preparing ourselves to create an epic experience for audiences."
(The cast and crew making sure the lighting is perfect in during Friday's rehearsal)
Julian explained what is unique about Wildskin.
"I think the thing that will make it quite distinct is that the audience will experience moments of emotion and a kind of solitude through the character: self-reflection. There's quite a moment amidst very exciting physical and dynamic scenes as well, so it swings between this sort of entertaining physical style with something quite poignant at times or intimate. And I think that combination is what's really exciting about this work."
"This is about, I guess, a point in someone's life when they're at a crossroads, an intersection of time where they choose a different path and they set off to find something new about themselves and, in tackling hard things or brave situations, you find something new in yourself internally. So the whole show really is a fun and dynamic exploration of discovery of self and of other sides of ourselves."
The Lismore Showground warehouse is another different venue for NORPA to use, it offers different opportunities of depth and ambience due to its size.
(The dancing cowgirls rehearse their scene in Wildskin. Photo: supplied)
"The warehouse itself just evokes its own atmosphere, which really adds to the show. I mean, this show is about a road journey, and with the depth and length of this venue, we can really create beautiful imagery and play with the sort of horror genre that features in the work in a fun way. It's not gratuitous violence or anything like that, but it's it's playing with story tropes and subverting them or playing with them to explore deeper themes."
"It's got a cinematic quality to it when you have that depth of field, plus the sound design and music composition and the visuals and lighting, it's really coming together with quite a cinematic experience as well as live theatre. So it's quite beautiful in that way," Julian concluded.
Wildskin is a whole evening of captivating fun from the moment you arrive at the iconic Lismore Showgrounds.
Get pre-show dinner and drinks from 5:30pm at ‘The Roadhouse’ pop-up bar and restaurant by Secret Chef. If you live outside of the Lismore LGA and don’t want to drive, catch the Wildskin Bus from Byron and Ballina and return after the show. If you really want to make a night of it, you can stay overnight at the Showgrounds campsite. Visit the NORPA website for further details.
Wildskin runs from Thursday, September 12 to 28 at the Lismore Showgrounds, 116 Alexandra Parade, North Lismore, from 7:30pm.
Tickets Prices:
Tue – Thu performances:
Fri & Sat performances:
Please note there is $5.50 booking fee per transaction
Prices are correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice.
Wildskin contains adult themes, violence, strong language, the use of theatrical haze and flashing lights. It is recommended for ages 14+. Some of this event takes place standing (up to 10 minutes).