THE PLAY ABOUT AN AUDIENCE, PLAYING AN AUDIENCE…

1926. Michigan. Harry Houdini’s Final performance. You’re in the audience. But at the same time, you’re in this audience - and you’re desperately trying to feel something…

It’s 1926. Michigan. Harry Houdini’s final performance, only you don’t know that at the time. You’re here to be amazed, to be awakened with wonder. But the man before you appears frail, and vulnerable. He falls, he fails, and you can’t tear your eyes away.

Houdini didn’t die in front of a gasping crowd. He died days later, in a quiet hospital room. There, he ate chop suey and confessed all of his doubts to a surgeon. The audience didn’t get to see that man – they only ever met the marvel.

With some theatrical sleight of hand, the mystics from Counterpilot uncover a mystery stranger than the man himself. Seeking humanness in wonder, we turn our spotlights to the audience: the voyeurs of mortality on the evening of the end…

Spectate is a show about an audience, and we're inviting you to be that audience. Staged with a seating bank full of headphones, a deconstructed film studio, and a series of text messages from the friend you left outside at the bar.

“...a ground-breaking new production that engenders fascination both in experience itself and in recollection afterwards... Even without a vanishing elephant, it is spectacularly clever on so many levels,
in a way probably never seen before.”
-Meredith Walker, Blue Curtains Brisbane

“I want more, and with Counterpilot’s promising body of work, I will certainly be looking to fill that desire.”
-Amelia Walker, XS Entertainment

“This manner of receiving theatre was entirely new to me and really pushed the boundaries of art to a new plane... I was really astonished by the level of different I was being shown... ”
-Eric Scott, Absolute Theatre

“Just when you think you have experienced all tangents of experimental theatre you can be hijacked from behind! ...an almost psychedelic emotional experience.”
-Gemma Regan, 4ZZZ

“...an intense performance which is challenging for the audience and performers with some unexpected humour. The concept, with mobile technology and commentary, is clever, contemporary and provides for perfect 'after theatre' discussion in the nearby bars.”
-Kevin Liepins, Weekend Notes

Written & Directed by Nathan Sibthorpe

Sound Design by Mike Willmett
Production Design by Sarah Winter
Lighting Design by Christine Felmingham
AV Design by Nevin Howell & Nathan Sibthorpe
Software Design by Clinton Freeman
Contraption Design by John Felmingham
Film Production by Optikal Bloc
Dramaturgy by Benjamin Knapton
Additional Contributions by Sandra Carluccio

Stage Performers: Toby Martin, Cam Clark, Elise Greig, Brad Haseman
Recorded Performers: Hugh Parker, Anna McGahan, Lucas Stibbard, Veronica Neave, Lauren Jackson

Stage & Production Manager: Nicole Neil
Assistant Director: Sean Dowling
Design Assistant: Jaimeson Gilders
Production ASM: Rebecca Minuti
Creative Development ASM: Jeremy Gordon

Metro Arts Producer: Jo Thomas
Metro Arts Marketing: Penny Challen

Photo by Naomi Etri, design by Nathan Sibthorpe
Marketing Design by Sean Dowling

World Premier
7-18 NOV, 2017

Sue Benner Theatre
Metro Arts, 109 Edward Street, Brisbane

Matilda Award 2017 Nomination: Lord Mayor’s Award for Best New Australian Work
Matilda Award 2017 Nomination: Best AV Design

SPECTATE is not currently available for touring, but could be re-developed for a remount season in the future. We love this work and would be thrilled to revisit it.

The script for SPECTATE may be available for perusing.

For more information, or to start a conversation,
please contact Nathan Sibthorpe.

Spectate is co-presented by Metro Arts and has been supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

Counterpilot is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Spectate is supported by Creative Sparks - a joint initiative of Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Spectate is supported by Queensland Theatre through the Independent Artists @ Queensland Theatre initiative 2017.

Nathan Sibthorpe is supported by QUT Creative Industries as a recipient of the Dr. Don Batchelor Award for Drama Research, 2017.