Arthur Hull

The Pitch

The neon lights aren't always bright on Broadway, for every hit, there are fifty flops. This snappy little show is a love letter to the rollercoaster world of musicals and the people who make them - people who need people. From commercial and critical failures to obscure and forgotten gems, I am setting out to prove that every musical can be proud of at least one song. 

As a recent graduate of Australia's National Youth Circus (Flying Fruit Fly Circus) and also a singer and keyboard player, I am developing my first ever solo show, with a little help from my friends, including you I hope.

I've performed with the 'Fruities' at Sydney Opera House, the Wanderer Festival and locally, I've won prizes at the Australian National Busking Championships, and gigged with bands around my home region in North East Victoria. But this is my next great leap forward. 50 minutes of me, a piano, a loop station and some banging songs from some forgotten or failed musicals. I am going to have some fun with this material, but I'm not poking fun. Musicals are hard to make and FLOP is a celebration of the extrarodinarily creative people who just never give up, and who just won't take no for an answer... no matter how loud it's being shouted at them!

There will be some obvious inclusions - Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark, which lost more money than any other Broadway show in history; Diana the Musical "A right royal debacle so bad you'll hyperventilate." (the Guardian); but also some sweet surprises and one Taylor Swift song.

With your support I will perform this new show at Melbourne Fringe in October. I am lucky to have secured a perfect slot at the Fringe Hub for 10 performances at 8.15pm (7.15pm on Sundays) October 2-13. 

10 performances to premier this work and, hopefully, launch an exciting journey towards Adelaide, Edinburgh and beyond.

Melbourne Fringe

Melbourne Fringe democratises the arts. It has a vision of cultural democracy – empowering anyone to realise their right to creative expression.

Melbourne Fringe champions discovery and experimentation, supporting the development and presentation of artworks by, with and for the people of Melbourne. It runs the annual Melbourne Fringe Festival, the year-round venue Fringe Common Rooms at Trades Hall, and a range of arts sector leadership programs that uplift and mobilise our community.

Starting life in 1982 as the Fringe Art Network, and now in its 41st year the Fringe remains committed to its roots – a collaborative, encouraging, representing and uniting of artists of all disciplines. Over four decades Melbourne Fringe has matured to become one of our state’s most significant and adventurous arts organisations.

The Team

On stage: 

Me.

Backstage: 

I'm fortunate to have some expert mentors. Anni Davey is Artistic Director of the Flying Fruit Fly Circus, celebrated circus and cabaret artist, and a winner of Melbourne Fringe Living Legend Award. Anni is my Outside Eye on FLOP. Fruitful Productions are Richard Hull, Beck Palmer and Tahni Froudist - a supportive mix of friend and family, but with heaps of producing and festival experience! Emma Mancer directs musicals with various companies in Albury-Wodonga and is enthusiastically working wth me on the musical content.

Putting on any show anywhere costs money. Your donation will make a really important contribution towards three key areas:

1. Venue Hire

2. Marketing and Media

3. Accomodation

Venue

FLOP will perform 10 shows in the 60-seat Music Room in the Finge Hub at Melbourne's Trades Hall. It's a great space for this intimate performance. Your donation will help us pay for it.

Marketing and Media

The concept of FLOP is fun and from bite size showings and conversations so far, has wide appeal. But the good people of Melbourne will need to know it's on. Your donation will help us pay for ads, posters, flyers and media moments.

Accomodation

I love Melbourne, but it's not the cheapest city and I need somewhere to sleep for two weeks. Your donation will help us pay for a modest apartment not too far away from the venue.

This season at Melbourne Fringe will be a dream come true , and potentially set me on a path to future festivals and seasons. Any support you can offer (no donation too small.... or big) will be deeply appreciated.

Please share this campaign with friends, families, enemies, whoever you have contact details for. Thank you!!!