In her own programme note, Rachel Mars suggests “Her work explores the idiosyncratic cultural and political constructs that inform the way we are together, as people, just trying to figure it all out.”
I could just very strongly encourage you to buy a ticket and actually leave things right there because her summary and description above, is actually rather perfect, but here’s a few words of my own.
Important, clever, significant, different, troubling, collective, inspiring challenging, connecting, questioning and very very funny.
Rachel Mars admits she has, for some time, been obsessed by the shamefully taboo emotion of envy and like an uncomfortable lesson in its origins, Our Carnal Hearts, asks some very direct questions to skilfully slash open the current state of our lives and highlight the enormous capacity each of us has to covet.
Performed with vulnerable proximity in the round, this work crosses stand-up, group therapy and singalong. Stirring analogies and dark commentaries are complimented by a wonderfully clever and funny soundscape of vocal compositions and arrangements by Louise Mothersole. Singing along with the composer are three members of Melbourne based vocal ensemble Invenio; learning at the show’s conclusion that these incredible singers, Miriam Crellin, Georgie Darvidis, and Louisa Rankin, were only introduced to the work the day before is astounding testimony to their ability.
A UK based performance maker and writer with a background in theatre, live art and comedy, Rachel Mars is here in Australia as part of the Melbourne Fringe and Brisbane Festivals. Sometimes, you really do make the right call to see a particular show and you will too if you grab one of the remaining performances in Melbourne till September 23rd and then in Brisbane from the 26th until the 29th.
Go to be challenged, go to laugh and go to force yourself to answer this – “Who is like you, but a little bit better?”
Seriously – don’t miss this.
Theatre Works in association with Melbourne Fringe Presents
Our Carnal Hearts
by Rachel Mars
Venue: Theatre Works | 14 Acland Street, St Kilda VIC
Dates: 20 – 23 September 2018
Tickets: $35 – $30
Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au
