How do you know if you’ve got ‘it’? And who gets to decide?
A kaleidoscopic interrogation of the shadowy underworld of power and its frightening relationship to art
Created and rehearsed on Zoom during the 2020 lockdowns and shot over a weekend at The Substation in Newport, Western Edge’s flagship ensemble, Sub30 Collective present the premiere of their hybrid feature film/theatre work: The Retreat on Friday 10th June at Wyndham Cultural Centre, Werribee. Originally designed to be a live theatre production and pivoted to be a hybrid theatre/film, The Retreat was devised, written and performed by Yaw Dadzie, Betiel Beyin, Leigh Lule, Michael Logo, Amarachi Okorom and Ras-Samuel Welda’abzgi, directed by Tariro Mavondo and Penny Harpham and filmed and edited by Harry Charnock and The Mountain Goats.
Desperate to break into the business of showbiz, five young and promising creatives enter the Great Denzel Stallone’s ‘Artist Retreat’ with hopes of becoming his champion and sky-rocketing their careers. But it becomes clear that this tranquil mountainside getaway is not what it seems – could it be that something sinister is lurking underneath the fake pot plants, astro-turf and upbeat wall murals? What is really needed to thrive as an artist? How do you know if you’ve got ‘it’, and who gets to decide? They begin to question how far they’re willing to go for success and what they’re prepared to sacrifice before the day of judgment arrives.
Western Edge is a performing arts company creating a thriving community of next generation artistic and cultural leaders borne from Melbourne’s West. Their goal is to revolutionise the creative industry through participant-driven and collaborative practice, facilitating culturally safe creative spaces for young artists to learn, grow and lead. The Sub30 Collective is the first ensemble to graduate from the company’s Level Up Professional Development program, a two year free performance training program funded by the Ian Potter Foundation, to create tangible pathways for diverse artists from across Melbourne’s West into creative industries.
The Retreat, Friday 10th June at The Wyndham Cultural Centre, Werribee
7pm arrival for pre screening drinks and snacks
Post show Q&A, DJs and dance party. Tickets here.
