ABOUT NATURAL ORDER
Who or what determines our lot in life? How do we get to where we are? Is it all a consequence of the choices we make? Or is it determined by something bigger than us … Fate? God? The Universe?
Natural Order is a new multi-artform, performance installation work by Milk Crate Theatre, looking at where individual effort and universal law collide. We examine how much is really up to us; the systems that keep us ‘in our place’; and why, despite repeated and exerted effort, the human right to dignified security is still so far out of reach for some of us. How do we challenge this?
What are the real consequences of resistance? Can we ever really get past where we are today, or are we destined to be tied to a natural world order?
Weaving together the concerns and explorations of people with lived experience of homelessness, Natural Order cross-examines the personal, political, and philosophical. An immersive installation experience comprising live performance, film, visual art, sound and movement, Natural Order was creatively led by Artistic Director Margot Politis, and facilitated by some of Sydney’s most exciting and dynamic contemporary arts practitioners.
The work will be presented in a non-traditional performance space, allowing audiences to travel among the work. Natural Order was presented as part of Homelessness Week 2019, being held in Sydney.
REVIEWS FOR NATURAL ORDER
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"The immersive aspects of the performance are beguiling and the work bears all the Milk Crate hallmarks: authenticity, honesty, gallows humour, generosity of spirit and a sense of mission that goes beyond mere entertainment." - Jason Blake, Audrey Journal.
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“Petersham Town Hall is transformed into an electrifying performance space ... Directed by Margot Politis, the production is a stimulating exploration into the way we manage inequalities within our communities. “Natural Order” is a reminder, rather than a disclosure, of things we already know; it’s message is communicated gently, and thankfully without a lot of zealous earnestness.”
- Suzy Goes See
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“There was no mistaking the world of this play. It’s the Department of Human Services, in the case of the play the Department was simply called DAVO - Human services for humans.
The cast played, very well, both ‘sides’
- Sydney Arts Guide
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"Moving, funny, subversive and haunting, the performance not only provides a creative opportunity to those who are experiencing, or have experienced homelessness, but also explores the ways in which society denies the right to pursue a fulfilling life to the indigent."
- Catherine Skipper, South Sydney Herald
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“The production imaginatively draws together the self-devised scenes in to a cohesive whole.
The combination of music, video, song and drama complement each other and keep the action moving, and the immersive 360-degree set created by artistic director Margot Politis allows the audience to be voyeurs to the changing scenes and action while not being overwhelmed.”
- Virginia Balfour, Arts Hub.
GALLERY
Photos by Patrick Boland
DOWNLOAD A FULL LIST OF CAST AND CREW
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This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body
