A provocative new voice heads on-stage with the Australian premiere of Isabella McDermott's Champions at The Old Fitz Theatre. Running from October 11-26 as part of the New Works Festival, this production marks the inaugural offering from Little Goat Arts & Entertainment.
Champions delves into the high-stakes world of contemporary art, where ambition and creativity collide in a battle for recognition and success. The play follows four emerging artists nominated for the prestigious Archer Award, competing for a substantial $50,000 prize. As the six-month deadline to create their magnum opus approaches, tensions escalate, leading to unexpected consequences when one finalist rejects a proposal to share the prize.
Fresh from an extended, critically acclaimed run at Auckland's Basement Theatre, Champions arrives in Sydney with a reputation for sharp dialogue and poignant commentary on the art world. Through a series of interwoven monologues, McDermott's script examines the often blurred lines between artistic integrity and commercial success.
Director Bali Padda, known for his work on Guards at the Taj at the National Theatre of Parramatta, brings his vision to this Australian premiere. Padda describes the play as "a poignant reminder of the thin line between artistry and ambition," promising a production that will challenge audiences' perceptions of success and sacrifice in the pursuit of creative dreams.
The cast features emerging talents Cat Dominguez, Talitha Parker, Lincoln Vickery, and Bayley Prendergast, who will bring life to McDermott's complex characters. The production team includes associate director Pratha Nagpal, set designer Elle Fitzgerald, and composer Prema Yin, among other skilled professionals.
McDermott, reflecting on her work, describes Champions as a "love letter to artists" born from the challenges faced by the arts community during the pandemic. The playwright aims to explore the uneasy relationship between art and commerce, drawing from personal experiences to create an intimate yet universally resonant story.
While Champions tackles weighty themes, it promises to do so with a blend of poetry and razor-sharp wit. The play's structure, focusing on individual monologues that interweave to form a larger narrative, offers a unique theatrical experience.
As part of The Old Fitz Theatre's New Works Festival, Champions represents an opportunity for Sydney theatregoers to engage with fresh, challenging material. The festival, known for showcasing innovative productions, provides a fitting stage for McDermott's Australian debut.
With its exploration of ambition, creativity, and the cost of success, Champions appears poised to spark discussions about the nature of art and the sacrifices required in its pursuit. Expect a thought-provoking journey into the competitive world of contemporary art, where the line between winning and losing is often as blurred as the canvas itself.
DATES: Friday 11 th – Saturday 26 th October 2024
TIMES: 6:45pm Tues-Sat, 5pm Sun, 2pm Sat 19 Oct
VENUE: The Old Fitz Theatre, 129 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
TICKETS: Previews & Cheap Tuesday $38.50 | Adult $49.50-$82.50 | Concession $39.50-$60.50.
Booking fee applies.
BOOKINGS: https://www.oldfitztheatre.com.au/champions
Content Warnings:
Coarse language, themes of sexual assault, disordered eating
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