bAKEHOUSE presents
RELAXED PERFORMANCES AT KXT
In 2016 we saw Jess Thom’s performance of Backstage in Biscuit Land, playing at Malthouse as part of the Melbourne Festival. It was a wild ride: a challenge to what we think theatre should be, and most particularly how audiences behave in our theatres. We loved it! It was Jess’ work that has played an important role in the rising number of venues in the UK that have established RELAXED PERFORMANCES as a regular part of their seasons. It’s also now become a routine part of many seasons at US theatres.
“A relaxed performance is a true judgement-free zone… everyone is welcome and released from the traditional expectations about sitting still and staying silent”
At KXT we believe that everyone benefits from a rich cultural life, that we ALL deserve to have access to the arts. KXT has disabled access available for all performances. Earlier in the year we were thrilled when the team at Unofficial Kerith Fanclub staged an Auslan Interpreted performance of Being Dead (Don Quixote). As a venue regularly hosting trans and queer work, we’ve worked with KX hotel management to provide all-genders bathroom facilities and appropriate signage, to make sure our audience members and artists feel safe and welcome. And just quietly, we’d love to see mums and bubs back in the foyer.
Plus we’re committed to affordability: through our Open the Door program, established in 2014, we’ve been working with not for profits to make theatre available to those whose personal circumstances mean they are unable to pay market price for their seats. Our partnership with Playwave is all about providing discount tickets for 15 – 19 year olds, and our Thursday night $20 for 20s is a regular cheap ticket.
We can all argue the value of theatre. Perhaps it’s the opiate of the masses, a lovely relief from the pressures of an increasingly stressful life, a vehicle for important storytelling and grand ideas or simply a record of the world we live in and the world we want. But there is no question that theatre is alive and well in the heart of the city.
RELAXED PERFORMANCES are held the final Wednesday of the season.
Everyone welcome! Get in touch and let us know what you need
bakehousetheatrecompany@gmail.com
The venues in the above articles are delivering on a grand scale. KXT is a small unfunded and unstaffed venue, there’s only a couple of us running things, and there are limits to what we can do. But we will continue to work to keep the theatre fully accessible. Drop us a line and tell us what you need. We'll do our best to make sure you can come along to one of the city's most exciting indie theatres
