Ostraka

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Event Ostraka
Venue The Performance Space (1983-2007), Redfern, NSW
First Date 29 October 1986
Opening Date 29 October 1986
Last Date 16 November 1986
Dates Estimated No
Status Professional Cooperative
World Premiere Yes
Description Ostraka was one of two new works (on) the themes of memory, departure, return and repetition.
"It begins with a monologue by the accused Clytemnestra facing her judges. [...] The fragments are investigated as manifestations of hysteria, of schizophrenia and of paranoia...." (Flyer)
Thibaudeau’s Ostraka (is) a very powerful piece indeed…it could be the shock of seeing reduced to a near-crystalline geometry the mechanic of love turning into hate and wanting revenge. Or it may simply be the overwhelming sense of a numinous presence..But to find it ‘all there’ is an enormous treat and thoroughly satisfying…” Inner-City Voice.
Thibaudeau’s Ostraka was splendid theatre...(he) has always had a sure design sense and each of his productions starts with a strong image which, both aesthetically and functionally, anchors the whole production.…after a long association with Offord’s work, I have never seen his unique talents used so effectively. Thibaudeau indulges in his own form of intertextuality, weaving in many traditional theatrical (and other) images - commedia dell’arte, even references of Rodin’s Burghers of Calais.
"It was altogether a rich work - comic, erotic, savage - and performed with great discipline." Centrestage.
"Ostraka is a powerful new piece from Entr’acte Theatre.....Thibaudeau breaks new ground for Entr’acte without discarding the group’s stylish sophistication and polished expertise....there is a unity of purpose and direction which drives Ostraka to build up to a powerful impact”. SMH
Description Source Reviewer's Opinion
Primary Genre Other
Secondary Genre Physical Theatre
Avant-garde
Movement-based Theatre
Postdramatic
Corporeal Theatre
Related Events
  • is part of Mixed Bill On Archaeology , The Performance Space (1983-2007), Redfern, NSW, 29 October 1986
Organisations
Contributors
Name Function Notes
Colin Offord Composer
Anna Kiener Costume Assistant
Melody Cooper Costume Designer
Melody Cooper Costume Designer
Pierre Thibaudeau Designer
Pierre Thibaudeau Director
John Baylis Dramaturg/e
Matthew Serventy Lighting Designer
Matthew Serventy Lighting Designer
Andrea Aloise Performer
Elisabeth Burke Performer
Nigel Kellaway Performer
Colin Offord Performer
Pierre Thibaudeau Performer
Fiona Waite Performer
Brian Wilkinson Performer
Brian Findlay Production Manager
Janice Slater Voice Over Artist
Marguerite Yourcenar Writer
Text Nationality Australia
Production Nationality Australia
Further Information Performance Space Archives, Carriageworks, Redfern. Sourced from the programme for Ostraka, The Wharf Studio, 1987. Presented with On Archeology, in a programme called Archeologic in 1986. Records of Entr'acte Theatre, National Library of Australia, Entr'acte archives, Sydney.
Event Status Completed
Data Source
Source Description
Entr'acte Archives C056/EPT05 - some production notes in the teaching files. Teaching files include: C070/EPT05, C071/EPT05, C077/EPT05, and EPT06.
Review Carol Payne, “Movement, not words”, North Shore Times, Wednesday November 5, 1986
Performance Space Database
Review Andrew L. Urban, “Bloodless coup in a small city courtyard”, The Australian, Thursday October 30, 1986 Robert Miller, “Archeologic”, On the Street, 12 November, 1986. Short Publicity with photo. “Entertainment”, Daily Mirror, Thursday November 13, 1986.
Entr'acte Archives EPV01: Video VHS ETL14: Video Umatics ETL16: Video Umatic (On Archeology & Ostraka) ETL21: Video VHS. Videos digitally archived at Sydney University:USPS_007, 035-36, _041, _048, _057
CV EB&PT long CV-unedited 1979-1991, p.4, Entr’acte Archives
Mike Mullins Archives http://mikemullins.com.au
Review “Archaeologic, Entr’acte, Performance Space”, Inner-City Voice, November 1986. “Sydney Review”, Centrestage, 28 December 1986. Jill Sykes, “Mime takes on new influences”, The Sydney Morning Herald, February 1, 1986
Programme Advertisement Dennis Wolanski Library collection at UNSW Library
Review Jill Sykes, “Sound move for entr’acte”, Dance Australia, December 1986-January 1987, page 27. Jill Sykes “Mixed Blessings”, Dance Australia, December 1986-January 1987. (Two articles in one issue!)
Entr'acte Archives ETL10: programs, publicity & reviews. Program notes. EP11: Photos & reviews. Regis Lansac (On Archeology & Ostraka)
Entr'acte Archives ETL26: Music master Janice Slater. Audio Casette Colin Offord.
Review Regis Lansac “Photo Essay ‘Ostraka’, New Theatre Australia, No.0, January-February, 1987, pp.14-17. Almost identical to : Regis Lansac “Photo Essay ‘Ostraka’, New Theatre Australia, First Issue, September-October, 1987, pp.38-41.
Data Set AusStage
Event Identifier 28386