Julie Tenret, Sicaire Durieux and Sandrine Heyraud. 2020. Dimanche. Theatrical performance. Chaliwate Company and Focus Company, Belgium. Playing at the Sydney Opera House.
Photograph by Elizabeth Cole of a ceramic polar bear, 2023.
As my final post for this online dossier, I am reflecting on the theatrical performance Dimanche, which I read about today in the The Australian Financial Review (Bailey 2023). Written and performed by actors from the Belgium companies Chaliwate and Focus, it is playing at the Sydney Opera House until 21 October 2023. It’s purpose is to challenge our passive approach to dealing with the urgency of climate change, through a series of funny yet alarming vignettes.
From the review by Michael Bailey (Bailey 2023) and Chantal Nguyen (Nguyen 2023) , the largely dialogue free work uses puppetry, low tech special effects and 1970s pop songs to create a series of absurdist yet confronting scenes, which feature polar bears, migratory birds and even rising sea levels.
Given the theme and approach, I would willingly join the audience if I was in Sydney. I suspect that most of the audience would already be aware of and alarmed by climate change, as this would not seem to be the type of show a climate change denier would willingly attend. Hence as powerful and affecting as the show is, it might just serve to increase the anxiety of those already concerned, and do nothing for the deniers. However, using heightened anxiety to intensify audience response and hence provoke action is one the of key roles of art, as suggested by Giles Deleuze (Grosz 2008, 1-3)
The reviews of this work highlight its use of humor and absurdity to disrupt the audience’s passivity, and remind me of the value of the performative in visual art as well as in theatre.
This dossier post includes a photograph of a ceramic polar bear. If we do not address climate change this might be the only way we remember these magnificent creatures.
Bibliography:
Bailey, Michael. 2023. "This theatre show uses playful puppets to send a sombre message." Australian Financial Review, 13 October 2023, 2023. Accessed 13 Ocrober 2023. https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/arts-and-culture/dimanche-review-clowning-along-with-the-climate-crisis-20231012-p5ebxb?btis.
Grosz, Elizabeth. 2008. Chaos, Territory, Art: Deleuze and the Framing of the Earth.Wellek Library lectures. New York: Columbia University Press.
Nguyen, Chantal. 2023. "Should we laugh in the face of climate catastrophe?" The Age 12 October 2023, 2023. Accessed 13 October 2023. https://amp.theage.com.au/culture/theatre/should-we-laugh-in-the-face-of-climate-catastrophe-20231011-p5ebf9.html.
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