Category: Performances
When did you last sing?
Today we want to share with you one of our favourite songs. We sing together every rehearsal, every training, every warm up. We sing together to warm up to each other, to open up to the space, our voices and our hearts. We sing to let go of our day so far and arrive in this moment with these people.
We sing because it feels good.
Somagwaza was taught to us by Jo Salas when her and Jonathan Fox (co-founders of playback theatre) visited Australia in 2013. Somagwaza is a song from South Africa where choral singing plays a major role in traditional Bantu music. This song is sung when young men are initiated into manhood.
Where’s your favourite place to sing, shake it off and feel good? Let us know in the comments below.
This stirring song has been popular in our workshops, and we’ve recorded it just for you. Its in three parts which are on separate tracks and the final track puts all the parts together.
You can download it free from Sound Cloud and use it in your own workshop, dinner party, warm up, family reunion or any group of people wanting to feel good.
Hint: when putting the three parts together, make sure all three parts say the word ‘Somagwaza’ at the same time. Therin lieth the harmony.
So come on over, listen and sing:
Chance encounters, mysterious strangers and chats at the coffee machine. The challenges and triumphs, the heroes and villains, this is your year on stage. Uncover forgotten moments and celebrate your year with Melbourne Playback.
This is what the audience had to say from performances recently held at the Beckett Theatre, the Coopers Malthouse.
“I love the way you honour people’s stories – what is said and what is unsaid. I feel enlivened – not only as I consider the process and synchronicity of the performance, but as I consider the emotions captured and expressed. Thank you :)”
Janine
“It was the most amazing & gripping & wonderful journey! For some unknown reason I had tears rolling down my cheeks at times, and laughed a lot at other times.”
Freda
“Amazed at actor’s improvising skills and ability to quickly determine the means by which they expressed the ‘Lost Stories’.”
Jim
“I really enjoyed the integrity the cast have with sharing stories from the audience. The truth and generosity is really rewarding from an audience perspective.”
Lorna
“I Loved it! Amazing – my stories were there and I didn’t say a word.”
Carlina
“Fun, different, entertaining, enlightening! and special. Eye-opening to hear different people’s stories.”
Anon
Thank you everyone for coming…
Melbourne Playback Theatre Company presents:
The Little Things
Those little things caught in your memory, that make you catch your breath, cause your heart to warm or keep you smiling even after you’ve walked away. The things perhaps too small even for an anecdote but are the essence of your personal story. This is a celebration of those little things. They make a big difference after all.
The Melbourne Playback Ensemble is Rodney Afif, Karen Berger, Ian David, Alan Davies, Danny Diesendorf, Rachael Dyson-McGregor, Andrew Gray, Sherridan Green, Ernie Gruner, Petra Kalive, Allen Laverty, Mike McEvoy, Diana Nguyen, Michelle Nussey, Alex Sangster, Emily Taylor.
Dates & Times
October – Saturday 12 at 8pm and Sunday 13 at 6pm
Tickets Full $25 Concession $15
La Mama, 205 Faraday St, Carlton
BUY TICKETS
Thank you to every one who attended Playback’s Theatre Works Season.
A special thanks to the audience members who shared their stories.
Feedback from some of the audience:
“I always love it. So much tension every time. Beautiful actors.”
“Don’t think it could of been better.”
“Good giggles. Comfortable, easy, relaxed evening.”
“The honesty of the stories and the quality of the interpretation was inspiring.”
“Loved the positive spin on some sad stories.”
“I liked the involvement of the audience and the accurate take the performers had on the stories.”
“Emotional. Engaging. Excellent.”
“The musicians were fantastic and really worked well with the improvisation.”
“Very engaging, thoroughly entertaining. The ensemble are very talented.”
“Validating, moved, honouring, vulnerable, thank you.”
“The best I have seen – the diverse theatrical skills used was excellent.”
“I liked the supportive environment created for the audience member telling the story.”
“Great, very creative, actors were excellent and versatile.”
During our time at Theatre Works Melbourne Playback performed for Haileybury, Simon Perry Classroom Drama Teacher said, “Just wanted to say the girls absolutely loved your Playback workshop and performance. Your energy and thoroughly entertaining characters had the girls spellbound…They all left saying that was the best thing they have been to in these last two weeks…It’s been unreal for the girls and for some hopefully it’s a step into the world of the performing arts. Thanks again and can’t wait to catch up soon.”
Our next Performance was for Culture Mamas, a group of mums and bubs:
“What a great performance and how insightful for us all. I just loved being able to enjoy it without worrying that my girls were upsetting anyone! Thanks so much to you for bringing those soul-enriching experiences.”
Gabriela Heinz
Many thanks again to you and your company for an enriching and enjoyable theatrical experience for our mums, bubs and grandparents. We hope to do it again in the future! Culture Mamas.
Over the weekend we run professional development workshops and performed to public audiences on the Saturday and Sunday nights.
Penelope Bartlau left a post on our “Memorable Moments”:
Last night we told stories to Playback: I shared & revisited an extraordinary moment in a jungle in Mexico, of terror and exhilaration when I accidentally disturbed a rabble of Ulysses butterflies from their hiding place in a fallen & hollowed tree. They flew out & over my head in a beating storm of sound, and away as a mass of bright blue. The Playback team encapsulated and reflected this moment, bringing and giving the moment’s sensation and feeling.
Same too for my husband, speaking of an experience when he & his cousin faced a sea-eagle, the three of them arms/wings outstretched: the were boys facing a strong wind and pretending to fly and the bird hovered, suspended – a metre in front of them, observing the boys as strange equals. The bird dived down and snatched a mouse hiding in the grass from between the feet of the boys, and held it prize-like in front of the boys for just a moment before flying away with it’s prize.
It was a delight to see the se stories, and to have them shared with the audience at Theatre Works last night. Such improvisational mastery these performers, musicians and the lighting operator have. Truly they are very, very good listeners – hearing us, and each other and playing exquisitely.
Melbourne Playback Theatre Company would like to thank everyone who attended and shared their stories and thanks Theatre Works for all your help and support.
Spring Brings
by Melbourne Playback Theatre Company
“…seethes with breath-catching moments of insight and an unscripted emotional intelligence… you couldn’t ask for a clearer affirmation of what acting can do on the spot, undirected…”
The Age
Never seen a Melbourne Playback performance? Come and see what you’ve been missing.
Over the past 30 years Melbourne Playback Theatre Company has developed a reputation for creating intelligent, physical theatre that is highly skilful yet playful.
A rare form in the world of live theatre, playback is performed by an ensemble of actors and musicians who specialise in creating theatre on the spot by drawing from experiences and observations shared by audience members.
With the audience as the scriptwriter, each Springs Brings performance will be completely unique – transforming people’s observations, experiences, opinions and reflections into honest, humorous and insightful theatre.
Spring Brings boasts a highly talented and respected ensemble of performing artists, musicians and theatre-makers that continue to explore the playback theatre form and the theatrical possibilities of storytelling.
Spring Brings…. all kinds of true stories out from the corners. Funny stories, odd stories, incredible stories – stories of discovery, pain, wonder, and mischief. Fresh stories that have sprouted up this spring – perhaps with a few roots in the debris of winter just gone or the years just passed.
Each performance is underscored by two musicians improvising live in the performance space.
Spring Brings
Performances September 8 & 9 at 7.30pm
Theatre Works, Acland St, St Kilda
Tickets $25/$15 + bf
Weekend Intensive Workshop September 8 & 9 10am to 4pm
Bookings and further information www.melbourneplayback.com.au
What an absolutely fantastic performance from the Playback team in Creswick last Sunday.
I’m not sure if it’s been passed back but the group received a standing ovation following their session. They hit the mark beautifully in terms of Ian being able to draw stories out of our members and the group then entertaining us with a portrayal back to the group. Some members were in tears during some of the stories. We are a proud organisation with some fantastic personal stories and Playback captured that beautifully.
Please pass on my thank you and congratulations to the group. I will definitely recommend Playback to others.
Thank You,
Jamie Devenish, Member Engagement, Project Coordinator, CFA Fire & Emergency Management
Ian David, Melbourne Playback Theatre Company Facilitator and Sarah CFA member
It is a very exciting time in Playback life, the Geelong Courthouse public performance was just great with lots of positive feedback from storytellers and the general public.
Margaret Bourke, Program Manager at GPAC who had never seen a Playback Performance said:
“I thoroughly enjoyed the performance and thought isn’t it great that this diverse group of people are sitting in a theatre in Geelong participating in this. I was pleasantly surprised!”
Our other Playback Performances this year will be at Theatre Works in September and LaMama Court House in December. If you have never had a playback experience then don’t miss our next Public Performances, get on our mailing list (front page of website) and be made to feel special by having a story from your life told…
Or just watch other people’s be told as Simone a member of the Geelong Courthouse performing group said:
“The show was such an amazing, positive experience. As an adolescent/young person in Geelong I really cannot recommend Playback Theatre enough. It blew my mind. I am on such a high. Prior to seeing the show I had been worried about a few things going on in my personal life, but the Playback Theatre performance just spoke to me in such a way that I feel at peace and able to tackle anything now, despite not having my own story told to me.
I have not laughed like that in ages. I cannot thank Playback Theatre enough. Personally, I think the bottom line was that the stories were performed in an incredibly beautiful and feel-good manner: it was magic.”
What a great night we had at the beautiful theatre at Courthouse Arts in Geelong. With Andrew Gray at the helm, we heard a great range of stories from the audience. Many perspectives of life from members of the Geelong community. And with a talented team of actors (Petra, Tim, Danny, Alex, Emily), musicians (Karen @ Ernie) & lighting by Alan, each story found theatrical form. Thanks for the team at Courthouse Arts for inviting us down and thanks to all the people who joined us in the audience. Please feel free to leave a comment here to continue the conversation. Hopefully we’ll be back in Geelong again soon.
Since starting with Melbourne Playback in November 2011, I have had many exciting moments as the Company Manager. Let’s start at the beginning; the 30th Birthday Celebration where, as the newest member of Melbourne Playback, I stood in the epicentre of a long spiral, surrounded by over 70 past members. I felt a rush of excitement and a sense of pride as I joined this inspirational group of people at such a milestone in the company’s history.
Next, to Shepparaton for the company’s performance at Riverlinks Theatre on the theme of ‘Mystery’. In a hire van we travelled as a company to the gig and I just loved it but questioned my enthusiam in doing the schools mailout at the same time! The performance was just great and the moment of it all coming together was when Danny, who was conducting, asked the audience “Is there anything anyone would like to say?” A gentleman who had not spoken before said he felt warmed by the stories people told and he understood that we were not so different, that from each person’s story there was something he could relate to in his own life. He had the feeling of being connected.
Stephen Donelly, Manager Performing Arts and Conventions, Riverlinks Complex of Performing Arts Centre Shepparton said:
“Melbourne Playback has the gift of extracting honesty and the evening was a revelation: Every person has a fascinating story and that story has relevance to us all.”
It was indeed a pleasant and honest evening!
At the end of January Jonathan Fox and Jo Salas, co-founders of Playback Theatre, came and workshopped with the company. Such a fantastic opportunity to see the creators express their points of view and pass on their learnings which was enriching and enlightening.
The moment here was when I told a story that Jo Salas conducted. I felt so special and I don’t know why exactly but I know I felt so in the moment, so alive, so seen and heard.
The Melbourne Playback Theatre Company performers played back my story and from this I saw something about my self that I had not seen or understood before. I was blown away!
And if I was not already sold on Playback Theatre as being transformative and insightful, this performance certainly sealed the deal!
**This is something I recommend for every person to do in their lifetime – Have a story of yours played backed by Melbourne Playback Theatre Company. But beware – it is addictive. Everyone has many stories to be told.
More moments soon………. Sherridan Green