ACCESSIBILITY

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

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#STEPUP LAST ONE STANDING THEATRE

DNA by Dennis Kelly

Directed by Claudia Barrie

15 - 24 March

With: Millie Samuels, Bardiya McKinnon, Alex Malone, Emm Wiseman, Liam Nunan, Jane Watt, Jess-Belle Keogh, James Fraser, Alex Beauman, Holly Fraser and Jeremi Campese

A PART OF THE KXT2018 STEP UP FESTIVAL

When 10 teenagers in desperate need for approval do something inconceivable, will it tear them apart, will it drive them insane, or will someone come out of the shadows and give them all a way out?

DNA by Dennis Kelly takes you on an intimate journey into the twisted minds and lives of 10 British teenagers that will leave audiences asking themselves, "Is it right to protect the many at the expense of the individual?"

Produced by: Bardiya McKinnon & Alyssa Stevenson; 

Set Design: Ella Butler; Sound Design: Sean van Doornum; Lighting Design: Liam O'Keefe

Stage Manager: Rebecca Waters Photography: Clare Hawley

In 2017 Last One Standing theatre formed to present a short fringe season of DNA at Erko Town Hall. It was a first look at an exciting show that put 10 teenagers on a stage with no adults in sight, the voice of youth. Those first performances showed enormous promise and bAKEHOUSE jumped on board. come see it now, with Claudia Barrie directing, and a gun design team working in at KXT.

WHAT IS the STEP UP FESTIVAL

In March 2018 we're dedicating a month to The Next Big Thing. Come meet our Step Up team and take a peek at their work. Discover new plays in development. Take a first glance at the work of some of Sydney's newest and most exciting emerging artists: writers, directors, producers, designers all testing their wings.

At KXT we're investing in risk. 

KXT FRINGE ATTACK ~ PUNTILA / MATTI

Doppelgangster Co-Director Dr. Tom Payne talks about the company’s extraordinary new show Puntila/Matti, which is currently on at KXT as part of the Sydney Fringe.

My theatrical schooling took place in Wales. And in Wales there aren’t any theatres. It’s a historical thing - something to do with not being able to find a flat piece of land on which to site a seating unit. So, for want of a proscenium arch, people have been making shows in barns, on beaches and in ruined castles for the best part of half a century. The Welsh National Theatre isn’t even in a theatre; it’s a loose association of web designers that meet fortnightly in a bus shelter in Cardiff and text each other tips on social integration.

It was through National Theatre Wales that my Doppelgangster Co-Director Australian Dadaist poet Tobias Manderson-Galvin and I first met. We were sharing a bunk bed at a Rudyard Kipling inspired anti-theatre retreat run at the Girl Guide’s Headquarters in mid Wales; run, as I recall, by Robert Baden-Powell’s granddaughter. At one point Tobias and I tried to build a stage, but the other participants stole the curtains and ritually burned it to the ground. Then we were sent to our room and that’s when we came up with Doppelgangster.

So, with Puntila/Matti we’re reacting against that anti-theatrical sentiment. We’re trying to find a new way. I tentatively term it theatre-specific theatre. It’s basically like site-specific theatre, but there are fewer distractions and it’s a bit warmer. In the title roles, Grace Lauer and Tobias move like actors in a Robert Wilson play on speed. Musically, Jules Pascoe’s score is a jazzier and more imposing version of John Cage’s 4’ 33”. Visually, Antoinette Barboutis’ scenography is reminiscent of the invisible art works of Yoko Ono, Yves Klein and Andy Warhol, but with some well-chosen graphics and a splash of pink. Textually, Tobias’ Epic reinterpretation of Brecht is a weave of many interesting words, often his own. Dramaturgically, Kerith Manderson-Galvin and myself have carefully negotiated all of these elements, in a style close to what the Germans were describing as ‘post-dramatic theatre’ back in the 1990s, long before the term was translated into English and replaced ‘contemporary performance’. Although, artistically, I like to think we’ve moved on from all that

With this in mind, I propose a new phase. I like to refer to it as ‘post-(contemporary dramatic performance)’. In fact, what you have with Doppelgangster’s Puntila/Matti is ‘post-(contemporary theatre-specific dramatic performance)’. It’s new, and the inclusion of brackets means that audiences will most likely find it tough going to begin with. We expect walkouts. But it’ll catch on, and eventually it will be assimilated into the mainstream and the Germans will publish a useful student textbook called Post-(zeitgenössische theaterspezifische dramatische Aufführung). After a few years, Tobias and I will grow old and fat and die, like Puntila, by the pool, sipping mocktails, with pages from an aging copy of a first edition Kipling floating on the surface of the water. 

When we’re done with the Sydney Fringe Doppelgangster would like to bring the show back to Wales and do it there; although, it could prove controversial, as we’ll have to build a theatre and ask everyone to stay off Snapchat.

Dr. Tom Payne

Twitter // @doctortompayne.com | Website // www.drtompayne.com

STEP UP the philosophy

young, lively and imbued with a feeling of magic - concrete playground

STORYLINES

THE LADEN TABLE in dev

JATINGA, Mumbai

INVISIBLE CIRCUS

bAKEHOUSE on opportunities, collaboration, diversity. Taking risks and saying Yes. And championing new and emerging artists, companies and work

bAKEHOUSE presents STORYLINES at NIDA / TRS

Curating KXT was a steep learning curve. It’s a circus act, juggling what’s best for a venue, the artists, the audiences. The community. Our partners. We want to keep it accessible and affordable. We want the work to be ambitious and new and exciting and challenging and entertaining. And successful. We want to nurture the existing audience and grow a new one. We want to help existing companies to sustainability, supporting those indie legends that continue to bring world class theatre to Sydney at affordable prices. While providing opportunities to new and emerging companies.

Its not possible to be all things to all people. But we took some time to reflect on what we’ve done, what we’re doing and what we want to do. And the next big thing is the next big thing.

THE LIFE OF GALILEO

“the next big thing is the next big thing”

WHATS THE bAKEHOUSE STEP UP TEAM?

We work with each team member to shape their role at KXT. For some that may mean assisting on bAKEHOUSE productions, working with designers or directors. For others, it may be that we work with you on your script development. Or introduce you to people who might champion your work. Perhaps you just want to hang out at KXT, come to the shows, help out with FOH, learn how to operate the desk, sit next to some experienced designers, or producers, or directors. Maybe you want to come sit in on some rehearsals. Or find out about auditions. Help at auditions. Perhaps you've got a project you want to run that you reckon is a good fit for bAKEHOUSE & KXT. We'll make a time to have a chat about it. 

You’ll get free tickets to the shows, opportunities to meet and work with some of Sydney’s professional artists and indie legends, and the chance to pitch for full productions and developments.

TWO CHAIRS in development with Cheyne Fynn, Jarrod Crellin & Elijah Williams

 LOOK BACK

and then it got big … 2018

Tonsils & Tweezers with JackRabbit theatre

Visiting Hours John Harrison & Michael Dean working with Con & Michael Costi

Are We Awake by Charles O’Grady with Daniel Monks

Being Dead by Kerith Manderson-Galvin

the STEP UP FESTIVAL with Last One Standing Theatre, The Carousel from Pip and Han Inc, the first Upstart, Bite Productions & developments

YOUTH + DESTINATION played an extraordinarily successful season

new company The Anchor launched Laura Lethlean with the beautiful TWO HEARTS

New Ghosts staged their first full length play

and Jo Erskine launched the first STORYTELLERS FESTIVAL

all alongside work from Alex Berlarge, Workhorse Theatre, Mad March Hare, Brevity theatre and Erin Taylor, Kim Hardwick, bAKEHOUSE and Suzanne Millar

BUT WAIT … THEN 2019 HAPPENED

FEATURING

Leopardskin by Michael McStay

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Little Eggs Collective

A Little Piece of Ash by Megan Wilding

Omar and Dawn by James Elazzi

Doing by Amy Sole for KXTPopupstairs

Ignite by the writers of New Ghosts Theatre

nomnomnom at KX by Roshelle Fong for KXTPopupstairs

Rudy & Cuthbert presented by Toby Blome and Zelman Cressey-Gladwin

for KXTPopupstairs *Melbourne 2020

Honey Boo Boo Blood & Gore by Carissa Licciardello in dev

Maureen, the Harbinger of Death by Jonny Hawkins with JackRabbit

And so much more

But bAKEOUSE has been doing this for a while now: big love and a bAKEHOUSE shout out to Harry Tseng, Danielle Jackson, Monica Sayers, Alice Kheovong, Elijah Williams, Constantine Costi, Joshua McElroy, Clare Hennessey, John Goodway, Arisa Yura, Dino Dimitriadis, Michael Dean, Guy Simon, Michael Costi, Randa Sayed, Belinda Jombwe, Lucy Clements, Jessica Paterson, Mansoor Noor, Suz Mawer, Bardiya McKinnon, Becks Blake, and a whole crowd of other wonderful artists who've been a part of a KXT project.

Who said Yes. 

“every KXT work in some way pushes forward the Sydney arts scene - its an opportunity for artists to experiment and create, and its a chance for the audience to see where our local performance culture is headed””

— Cassie Tongue, Time Out Sydney

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KXT2017 RISKY BUSINESS... breaking it down

13 seasons * 15 plays *2 festivals * 4 world premieres * 9 Australian premieres * 8 female directors * 7 male directors * 8 Australian plays * 14 female writers * 5 male writers * 4 script developments * 6 female producing teams * 7 new plays * 3 major diverse projects * 2 international co-productions * 7 first time teams * 5 companies returning * 6 directors returning

1. KXT champions new work: 4 world premieres ~ 8 Australian premieres ~ 4 script developments

“one had the right to write because other people needed news of the inner world, and if they went too long without such news they would go mad with the chaos of their lives”
Arthur Millar”

2. KXT supports new AUSTRALIAN writing: 8 Australian plays ~ 4 script developments

Writers are magicians: they conjure worlds out of words filling blank pages with people and places where once there was nothing. When we invest in Australian writing we play a part in creating the voice the next generation will hear, respond to and build on. 

3. KXT aims for (and exceeds) gender parity: 8 female directors ~ 7 male directors ~ 14 female writers ~ 5 male writers

In 2017, DTC (59% women), Belvoir (50%) and Griffin (50%) achieved gender parity in their programming of writers and directors. Sydney Theatre Company (34%) and Ensemble Theatre (16%) have male-dominant seasons, again. It should be noted that Griffin did not achieve gender parity in its independent season programming (40%). - WiTS

4. KXT invests in diversity: 3 major diverse projects

bAKEHOUSE is committed to providing a platform for the often unheard voices of Sydney.

The voice of Sydney in 2017 is indigenous. It is Australian, American, English Irish, Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese. It comes from Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, New Zealand, India, the Philippines. And many more. It is no longer white and English - it is much, much more. 

“I’ve been wracking my brain trying to think of a play produced in Sydney over the past decade set in modern day Africa. Credit to bAKEHOUSE Theatre Company for staging it [Black Jesus] and believing it can find an audience. It should”
Jason Blake, SMH ”

5. KXT invests in the arts community: 7 first time teams ~ 2 international co-productions ~ 5 companies returning ~ 6 directors returning ~ 2 festivals

KXT is a not for profit organisation set up to support the local arts industry. It is run entirely be volunteers and neither KXT nor bAKEHOUSE makes any money from the venue. By opening the door to new companies, and by welcoming back others, we aim to play a role in the development of a sustainable arts ecology. 

bAKEHOUSE has been kicking around the curated seasons and venues for hire for a while now. We're a self-funded company - like many of you - and we're still here due to the loyalty of our audience and the extraordinary generosity of the artists we've collaborated with. At KXT we've attempted to put in place processes that consider the needs of indie companies, providing them with an opportunity to create viable new work that inspires audiences and artists alike. For now that means subsidising hire and supporting companies in a way that will help them pay their artists. And we see this as an investment in the cultural life of Sydney 

We're here to support the game changers and the risk takers. 

Paul Capsis in the house!

We had our first taste of celebrity at KXT last night, as Paul Capsis joined the post-show panel for the play in development, Kin. The play is about a trans-woman returning home to visit her father on his deathbed. But the reunion sets family members scratching at old wounds...

Vibrant post-show discussion ensued, led by the freakin' fabulous Natasha Io - was the trans character "made palatable" for the general public? Can a cis-gender man play a trans-gender woman? Who has the right to tell these stories? And how do trans-women manage to strut so damn good in stilettos?

(The answer, by the way? Years of practice!) Natasha and splendid company - kicking down the doors! 

opening night roadkill

And we're off! Lies Lies & Propaganda popped our cherry with a packed house to opening night of Roadkill Confidential. Great buzz in the foyer. Things got a little messy in the Dive Bar after the show. But the building didn't burn down, so that's a plus...

#allenkey

OPENING NIGHT and we've got a big audience. Time to get some new chairs for them to sit in #allenkey

green light

So this happened. Last Thursday night a bunch of artists and supporters gathered at the newly minted Kings Cross Theatre for a low-key air-quotes launch. With a little 'l'. No big announcements. No rock stars. Just a chat. Chalk outlines on the floor. And some booze.

We had quite a good time...