Here is an exclusive interview with Zoe Barry, Director of Restless Dance Theatre's Howling Like a Wolf.
This production opens on Friday 17th August at Queen’s Theatre, Payhouse Lane, Adelaide. Bookings at BASS.
1. Tell us a bit of information about who you are and what your experiences include?
Born and raised in Adelaide and now based in Kyneton, Victoria, I studied Ethnomusicology at the University of Adelaide and then began a career as a Baroque cellist, working with ensembles around Australia and touring overseas. Since then I have composed and performed for many theatre and dance productions for companies including State Theatre, Restless Dance Theatre, Patch Theatre and I co-founded Ladykillers Theatre in 2006. I also write music for documentaries and film, and perform with many ‘indie’ and experimental bands.
2. What are some of your successes as a musician, composer and sound designer?
I have been very lucky to collaborate with a range of extraordinary people over my career – musicians and performance makers – and great theatre and dance companies. I have had the privilege of performing in many amazing concert spaces, from the Sydney Opera House to beautiful wineries in the Barossa, the Guangzhou Concert Hall in China and St Donat's, a medieval castle in Wales. I have performed at festivals including the Adelaide and Melbourne International Festival, Next Wave, MONA FOMA and the Big Day Out.
I performed in an international cello orchestra in Russia conducted by Mistlav Rostropovich, performed at the John F Kennedy Centre in Washington with Patch Theatre earlier this year, have toured Australia with Musica Viva's in-school touring ensembles, and my compositions have been broadcast on ABC FM, Triple J public radio. I have won scholarships to study in Greece and residencies at Arthur Boyd's property at Bundanon.
3. What do you hope to achieve by taking on the Director role of Restless Dance Theatre's Howling Like a Wolf?
I am hoping to create a work that expresses the performers' unique experience of the world. I hope the work is compelling, dark and moving, and gives the audience cause to reflect on their experiences of dealing with others.
4. What can audiences expect when they come along to Howling Like a Wolf?
Audiences can expect to see images they will not have seen before. It has been inspired by the history of scientific research into non verbal communication – how we "read" others and how they perceive us. We have made a pretty surreal piece! It includes a re-enactment of a Michael Jackson video, a study on Meryl Streep, a scene inspired by a Harmony Korine film and, of course, the beautiful, intriguing and compelling movement of the performers. The lighting design is indulging my love of neon, and the score is rich and filmic.
5. What's coming up next for you after directing Howling Like a Wolf?
I am currently composing music, in collaboration with composer/sound designer Jed Palmer, for Gaelle Mellis's upcoming production, Take Up Thy Bed, which will be presented by Vitalstatistix and open on October 20. In preparation I am arranging punk songs in the style of Victorian era piano ballads. I am also working on my debut solo album under the moniker Alarm Birds, and working out how to spend more time in NY.
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