site
* site was nominated for a Green Room award 2006 for outstanding Direction (www.greenroom.org.au). The Green Room Awards celebrate, encourage and reward excellence within the performing arts in Victoria (Australia). I was invited to discuss site on an international heritage sites panel as part of the Space / Place Collaborative at the University of Minnesota April 2007. See page attached.
Director/Deviser: Talya Chalef
Actor/Co-Deviser: Tanya Heywood
Dramaturg: Rochelle Whyte
Lighting: Bronwyn Pringle
Sound Design: Que Nguyen
Cello: Anthea Caddy
Graphic Design: Dominique Rada
Stage Manager: Paula Salini
Tech operator: Julie Wright
Venue: Melbourne's Watch House as part of the Old Melbourne Gaol.
site was inspired by Prestwich Place, a mass burial ground that was discovered on a construction site in Cape Town 2003. Archeologists found that these bodies made up a sum total of approximately three thousand dating back the beginnings of Dutch colonisation. Because this site was located outside the old city's colonial walls, it indicated that they were not of Dutch Reformed origin, setting up an interesting debate.
Using the story from Cape Town set against the backdrop of Australia I was interested in pointing to issues of our shared post colonial condition. We devised and performed the work in the old City Watch House and brought the audience into the space, through an installation and into the ideas.
This was a one-woman performance, which sought to explore all the various perspectives on the situation whilst not dictating or favouring any one specific point of view. The space, sound, projections, movement and text all contributed equally to the piece.
site was supported through The National Trust and others - See Support Page.