When audience participation isn't sh*t

"Audience participation" is becoming a dirty catchphrase in performance. The fear that the audience may be required to do something other than passively observe can cause mild panic. However, Backyard Theatre Collective invites audiences to a game changing production. In Player 2, Kristen Maloney, Tremayne Gordon and Madison Kennedy-Tucker unite to explore sibling love and loss through dramatic narrative, puppetry, chalk and yes audience participation.

Originally developed by Tremayne Gordon and Lara Qualtrough, Player 2 premiered at the 2015 Festival of Australian Student Theatre. It took the festival by storm, receiving standing ovations and critical praise. 

Backyard Theatre Collective came on board to support a second development with the aim of performing it on a national platform. Now we are touring the work to Melbourne Fringe 2016!

I smile because I am your brother and laugh because there is nothing you can do about it.

(Tremayne Gordon and Madison Kennedy-Tucker)

Tremayne Gordon and his twin are GIFT children and lucky to be alive. Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer (GIFT) is a tool of assisted reproductive technology which allowed the twins to be born and inspired Tremayne to write Player 2.  “My mum participated in GIFT twice before giving birth to my twin and I. Third time was definitely the charm. Our parents were living in Oakey but we were born in Brisbane due to birth complications. I’m really grateful to be alive. It was, however, the realisation that while my twin and I entered the world together, we will one day be separated at death. Many people may view this as a morbid thought but the work is about exploring hope (as well as heartbreak) with the people around you” says writer and actor Tremayne Gordon. 

We really hope you come to the performance with your siblings. 

We really hope that you call your brother who you haven't spoken to in ages. 

We really hope that you lend your sister your favourite skirt and don't get mad when she doesn't return it. We really hope that you hug your sibling for longer than necessary. 

Synopsis

“I guess we finally figured out twin telepathy.”

Travis is trying to deal with the loss of his twin. His mum thinks he should go to group therapy. Facebook tells him that time will heal all wounds. Instead, Travis continues to develop an unhealthy obsession with papier mache. Parallel to Travis' story is grief counsellor, John Stevenson, who is taking his class through his four step program on how to deal with the loss of a loved one. Player 2 is a postmodern performance that utilises dramatic narrative, audience participation, puppetry and chalk to fearlessly explore the love between siblings and what it is like to lose a loved one.

“Gordon’s writing is fun, witty, sharp, but most importantly it is genuine.” Rhumer Diball, Downstage Discernments

The Company

Backyard Theatre Collective (BYTC) was born after a conversation with a group of early career artists. Wanting more opportunities in Brisbane to put on new works, it was suggested we hold our shows anywhere, including the backyard. BYTC brings together Australia’s emerging creative talent to develop innovative, engaging and playful multi-disciplinary performances. Through play, experimentation and reflection, we seek to learn how performances can impact individuals and the community.

Backyard Theatre Collective’s work has been described as “...one of the most impressive pieces of independent theatre that I have seen.” – Josh Lyons, Anywhere Festival Reviewer.

Meet the Artists

Tremayne Gordon is an independent actor and writer based in Brisbane. He holds a Bachelor of Creative Industries in Creative Writing and Drama from the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) and is currently completing Honours in Drama at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Tremayne has undertaken an internship with HotHouseTheatre Company under the mentorship of Travis Dowling, Julia-Rose Lewis and Jennifer Medway, as well as an internship with La Mama Theatre Company under the mentorship of Caitlin Dullard, Sandra Fiona Long and Rebecca Etchell. He was also chosen by Jennifer Medway to participate in ATYP’s National Studio 2015. His works, Leaving the Nest, The Picnic, Player 2, Volume and Train Lines have been produced for various festivals in Brisbane and Sydney including the Festival of Australian Student Theatre, Playground Arts Festival, The DIY Festival and Short %20 Sweet Sydney.

(Photography by Megan Thomas for Vena Cava Productions)

Kristen Maloney is an independent director, writer and producer based in Brisbane. After six years of climbing the corporate ladder, Kristen decided it would be a much better idea to quit her stable career for the world of theatre. Currently studying Bachelor of Fine Arts (Drama) / Bachelor of Business at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Kristen was the 2015 Artistic Director of Vena Cava Productions (QUT’s student theatre company). In 2014, she founded Backyard Theatre Collective, and has since produced works for early career artists in the Festival of Australian Student Theatre, Fresh Blood Festival and Anywhere Festival.  In 2015, Kristen wrote and directed Loch Ard, which had a sold out season at Anywhere Festival. In addition, she directed The Picnic, which played to capacity audiences as part of Festival of Australian Student Theatre. In 2016, she wrote and directed Saying Goodbye to Ally as well as directed The Picnic, which featured as part of Backyard Double Bill in Anywhere Festival.

(Photography by Perception Productions for Backyard Theatre Collective)

Madison Kennedy-Tucker is currently studying Bachelor of Fine Arts (Drama) at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Her recent credits include Lunchbreak directed by Gabriella Flowers, and Sshhh directed by Sam Bull, both which premiered at Short %20 Sweet Festival 2016. Additionally, she was in Flowers Theatre Company production of The Train Tea Society in Anywhere Theatre Festival 2016. Her other credits include Return to Earth directed by Leon Cain, The Chosen directed by Joanne Martin, Romeo and Juliet directed by Shake and Stir, and Slammed directed by John Peek at the Brisbane Powerhouse. Madison continues to study her craft with the likes of Chris Sommers and Peter Rasmussen.

(Photography by Geoff Lawrence for Flowers Theatre Company)

(Tremayne Gordon and Madison Kennedy-Tucker)

This is a touring work and we need your help to get three people down to Melbourne. Your support will go towards the following worthwhile, yet expensive, items:

• $600 travel and accommodation.
• $200 print and online marketing.
• $275 venue hire.
• $225 registration for Melbourne Fringe.
• $200 costumes and building a set suitable for touring (life size paper mache figurines doesn't make itself!)

Your support means so much to us and we very much appreciate anything you can donate our way! We promise none of your money will be spent on video games and booze!

(Tremayne Gordon and Madison Kennedy-Tucker)

The challenge for an independent theatre company is to cash-flow work. The creatives involved in the project will invest their time (and thus money) into creating an amazing touring work. However, it can be a little disheartening to realise the near insurmountable cost involved into breathing life into a work.  Your support will help ensure Player 2 has the basic production necessities it needs get to Melbourne Fringe. 

We aren't creating a multi-million dollar set design and living a life of luxury whilst on tour (the Producer has banned room service and pay-per-view); however, the more money we are able to raise to pay for the logistics means we can create a beautiful performance AND more of box office revenue can go into the artist’s pockets. We feel it is very important to pay artists for their hard work, time and creativity. 

So let's create something truly special together.