If you have a go, you get a go;
Let’s have a go together…

A pop-up automated flash mob to satirise the unrelenting optimism of the Australian Dream.

This playful new work premiered in June 2023 at NAFA, Townsville.

PREVIOUS SEASONS

Counterpilot has a plan for each one of us. And all you have to do is say yes. Are you ready to say yes today? You wouldn’t want to be a No Person. Yes People are our kind of people...

Following pseudo-inspirational instructions in a set of wireless headphones, participants work together to stage an ensemble intervention, activating a public festival hub with acts of hope and disconcerting joy. Before long, our army of good citizens have taken over the site, celebrating the day and spreading their message of “She’ll be right!”

What if our pursuit of the Australian Dream was motivated by an extremist cult? With targets set on late stage capitalism and systemic inequality, this work skewers the kind of patriotism that celebrates the hostility of our housing market and bows down at the altar of meritocracy.

Fuelled by toxic positivity, multi-level marketing schemes, suspicious pentecostal power structures and the unique purgatory of a Services Australia call centre, this is stinging satire masquerading as a real good time.

NOT A CULT* uses herd mentality and facilitated acts of play to conduct a whimsical impromptu flash mob, spreading false hope for the perseverant okayness of our capitalist dystopia.

It’s time to have a go. Let’s all have a go together. Here we go...

Created by Counterpilot

Devised by
Nathan Sibthorpe, Christine Felmingham, Mike Willmett & Toby Martin

Directed by Nathan Sibthorpe
Written by Toby Martin & Nathan Sibthorpe
Technical Design by Christine Felmingham & John Felmingham
Sound Design by Mike Willmett
Lighting Design by Christine Felmingham
Production & Costume Design by Chloe Greaves
Originating Costume Design by Sarah Winter
Construction by John Felmingham
Choreography by Neridah Waters
Dramaturgy by Bridget Boyle

Voice Performances by Toby Martin, Chenoa Deemal, & Kate O’Sullivan

Hero Photography by Morgan Roberts
Rehearsal Photography by Chris Davison
Concept Imagery by Séan Dowling

Not a Cult* is Produced by Metro Arts
Jo Thomas, Danielle Carney, Meg Hamilton

Special thanks to
Brisbane Powerhouse, Flipside Circus, Veronica Neave, Robert Kronk,
Ben Murray, Milly Walker, Sam Black

“Not a Cult* is a joyful, clever, and interactive public space activation that was a wonderful addition to the 2023 Darwin Festival. For the participants in the show, they loved being ‘in the know’ and they fully embraced what they were instructed to do. For the unsuspecting audience in Festival Park, it created a whimsical and playful spectacle which encouraged more people to get involved and participate as the season went on. Counterpilot are a fantastic company to work with and they created and delivered a highly tourable show. “
-Kate Fell, Artistic Director Darwin Festival

“Not a Cult* was exceptional and brought a real sense of community and joy to the festival”
-Darwin Festival 2023 Participant

“I also loved Not a Cult*. I was impressed with the imagination behind it and loved that it had a hidden metaphor, was funny that many people didn't register what it was about”
-NAFA 2023 Participant

“My favourite event this year was 'Not a Cult*', which was fantastic.”
-NAFA 2023 Participant

“…it was the perfect ending of a fun but long week, and the words were so fitting for us getting ready to complete assignments and thinking about our dreams post uni… We need the positive self talk in the classic Aussie accent that you provided asap”
-Darwin Festival 2023 Participant

Development 1
Staged through Counterpilot’s Incubator Program, 2020-21.
Supported by Metro Arts, Darwin Festival, Arts Queensland, and the Australia Council.

Development 2
Supported by Metro Arts, Arts Queensland, the Australia Council, the Princess Theatre & Brisbane Powerhouse, 2022.

Pitch
NOT A CULT* was pitched at APAX 2022 for further touring presentations.
Online: 11am, Thurs 18 August
In-person: 4pm, Thurs 8 September

Development 3
Supported by Metro Arts, Arts Queensland, & Flipside Circus, 2023

All photos taken by Chris Davison during our 2022 Creative Development showings.

Counterpilot is seeking touring & presentation partners for this project from 2024 onwards. Suitable for public spaces and festival hubs. A ticketed experience for adventurous audiences, and a placemaking spectacle for secondary witnesses.

For more info, contact Elizabeth Hunt.

Not a Cult* is supported by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body. Metro Arts and Not a Cult* are supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.