night sweat
Theatre
October 4 - 8, 2023
Festival Hub : Trades Hall - The Square , 54 Victoria St, Carlton
Melbourne, VIC
Website: https://melbournefringe.com.au/event/night-sweat/
Description
An experimental, all-sensory adventure into the hidden characters of a sleepwalker's subconscious.Have you ever found yourself sleepwalking? Or had a serious conversation with a pile of clothes you thought was your mum? Michelle has. One too many times. Doctors say there’s nothing wrong with them, but the ghosts they talk to tend to disagree.
Step into a world where dreams and reality intertwine. Where Michelle embodies the archetypes of their psyche, from clown to fuckboy to Hugo Weaving.
Using a seamless interplay of physical theatre, clowning, improvisation and poetic storytelling, Michelle will transport you into the murky farrago between awake and asleep. Accompanied live with original music by Kyle Muir, 'night sweat' searches for commune and camaraderie with the parts of ourselves we keep hidden in the dark.
First developed with La Mama Explorations in 2022, this premiere season of 'night sweat' plays with form and genre in a sensorial smorgasbord that will have you captivated, cackling, and maybe even crying.
“Michelle’s not scared to put themselves out there and be vulnerable. They’re always pushing at the boundaries of what’s possible. This is what it takes to be a successful theatre maker.” – Morgan Rose (Riot stage/Rawcus)
“McCowage demonstrates a keen skill for comedic lyricism [and their] patent for physical humour is one of the show’s strongest elements, as they embrace the freedom of unrestrained space onstage.” – Theatrehaus in review of ‘Love Don’t Cost A King’
Written and Performed by: Michelle McCowage
Original Music by: Kyle Muir
Produced by: Liv Bell
Directed by Sodi Murphy Shrives
About Michelle McCowage
Michelle McCowage (they/them) is a queer, non-binary actor and theatre maker. Passionate about championing gender diverse voices and non-conventional forms of story telling, Michelle seeks to curate spaces for shared vulnerability.
Since graduating from the VCA with a BFA (Theatre) in 2020, they have written, produced and performed numerous original works across multiple disciplines. From Drag, to film, their most recent credits include their 2022 La Mama Explorations residency where 'night sweat' was first developed, a moving image performance with Jen Valender for Composite Gallery (2023), Boi Band Battle Royale's with Brunswick East Entertainment Festival for Midsumma (2023), a roving Madame P & Her Lizards performance for Born In A Taxi at the Science Gallery (2023), a currently on air, TV Commercial for AAMI Insurance (2023), a Drag King slot in The Titwitchez School of Titcraft and Boobery (Motley Bauhaus, 2023), Devisor and Lead actor: Ash in Crumbs (Artplay x Yirramboi, 2021) and Devisor and Performer in Grand Gesture at La Mama (2021).