Want to create a new act but not sure where to start? Wanting to push your practice in weird and wonderful ways? Are you interested in making people laugh but not really into stand up? Are you a stand up and want to try something a bit different?

WHAT IS IT?

Two physical theatre and physical comedy workshops will be run in May for people who want to try some new devising techniques and co-create glorious ridiculousness in the form of an act or idea (or just play!). These will be run by physical comedian/clown Anna Thomson. 

There will be three follow up rehearsals in May-July for those who wish to develop their act/idea to present in a Cabaret night at Darwin Fringe in July. The rehearsals will be run in a format where performers will be taken through a process of presenting, giving feedback, and workshopping their ideas collaboratively. Performer Artemis Stagg will be co-facilitating these rehearsals. 

The flavour of the cabaret will be a little-off centre and ‘what in the world?!’, with absurdity, risk-taking and satire highly encouraged. It will be a celebration of fresh, experimental performance so the pressure is off, and you can be free to try something new! 

Nb. You can just come to the workshops if you don’t want to commit to the show, but it’s also a great, low commitment chance to perform something new! 

WHO IT IS FOR? 

For artists, performers or anyone who’s interest is piqued by this description! Both experienced performers and beginners are welcome – there is room for everyone to get something out of this collaborative process. 

WHEN AND WHERE? 

MAY

Sunday 8th – 11am-2pm (workshop) DCA

Sunday 15th – 1pm-4pm (workshop) DCA

JUNE

Sunday 5th – 1pm-4pm (rehearsal) DCA

Sunday 26th – 1pm-4pm (rehearsal) DCA

JULY

Sunday 10th – 11am-2pm (final rehearsal) DCA

Saturday 16th – 5.00pm show (plus tech during the day) BROWN’S MART

Sunday 17th – 5pm show BROWN’S MART

COST?

Free! Thanks to Darwin City Council’s Arts Grants. A small budget will be provided for costumes for people who chose to perform in the cabaret. A profit share model will be used for the 2x performances, split between performers and producers. 

BUT WHO ARE YOU?

Anna Thomson is a queer performer & physical comedian who is serious about stupidity. She studied at the John Bolton Theatre School in 2015 and LISPA (Berlin) in 2018. Anna was a founding member of PO PO MO CO (2017-2019); Melbourne’s award-winning physical comedy troupe, and her solo show Madame Nightshade’s Poison Garden won ‘The Risky Award’ for Experimental Performance (Darwin Fringe 2019). She will be joined by Darwin’s most fabulously infamous performance art/side show provocateur Artemis Stagg (John Bolton Theatre School, NICA, ‘Risky Award’ winner 2018 – Butt Stuff). 

WHAT ELSE? 

While the workshop and rehearsal space are an open space to try new things, push boundaries, get political, satirical and poke fun, we will also be following the Fringe No TRAASH policy, which says ‘no’ to:
T – Transphobia
R – Racism
A – Ableism
A – Ageism
S – Sexism
H – Homophobia

COVID STUFF?

Due to Fringe and DCA requirements, all workshop participants must be triple vaxxed. Evidence has to be shown prior to the workshops. 

FAQS: 

Can I just do one workshop and nothing else?

Yep! You are welcome. ☺

What if I can’t make the workshops, but still want to make an act for the show?

Priority will be given to those who attend a workshop, but if you have an idea already, you’re welcome to get in contact to discuss performing it. Please note that you’ll need to make all rehearsals, and all ideas will be workshopped together in the rehearsal room, so even if you feel our act is ‘ready’, you will have to be open to feedback too. 

I have a stand-up act that’s satirical, can I do this?

The emphasis of the show is on physical comedy, so you might begin with stand-up, but you’ll have to be open to exploring something a bit different too.

What’s physical comedy? 

Physical comedy is a form of comedy focused on manipulation of the body for a humorous effect. It can include slapstick, clowning, mime, physical stunts, or making funny faces. (Thanks Wiki!)

To add to this – comedic performance art, visual theatre, music, dance, movement, poetry, character comedy and strange & fabulous costumes and props can all form a part of physical comedy. Basically, don’t worry too much about it now – come along to a workshop and have a play!

To register email Anna: annathomsoncomedy@gmail.com