Theatre

night sweat

An experimental, all-sensory adventure into the hidden characters of a sleepwalker's subconscious.

Dates 04 - 08 Oct
Time 7:30pm, 6:30pm (50 minutes)
Venue Festival Hub: Trades Hall - The Square

$31.00

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A caucasian person with shaved red hair stands upright, their face is tilted up towards the ceiling. They are wearing a black boiler suit with a silver zipper against a black background. There is smokey haze in the air and they are lit under a warm, orange glow from a stage light.

A caucasian person with shaved red hair, wearing a black boiler suit appears against a mostly black background. Their face is contorted with an intense expression and they have one arm beside their body and the other out to the side, slightly blurry as if in movement. There is smokey haze in the air that is lit by a hot pink glow.

A caucasian person with shaved red hair wearing a black boiler suit appears against a mostly black background. Their face has a focused expression and is turned towards one of their hands which are extended out either side of them with their fingers curled. They are lit by a warm, orange glow.

Past Event

Theatre

Image Credit: Issy Caldwell

Written and Performed by: Michelle McCowage
Original Music by: Kyle Muir
Produced by: Liv Bell

Have you ever found yourself sleepwalking? Or had a serious conversation with a pile of clothes you thought was your mum? Michelle has. One too many times. Doctors say there’s nothing wrong with them, but the ghosts they talk to tend to disagree.

Step into a world where dreams and reality intertwine. Where Michelle embodies the archetypes of their psyche, from clown to fuckboy to Hugo Weaving.

Using a seamless interplay of physical theatre, clowning, improvisation and poetic storytelling, Michelle will transport you into the murky farrago between awake and asleep. Accompanied live with original music by Kyle Muir, 'night sweat' searches for commune and camaraderie with the parts of ourselves we keep hidden in the dark.

First developed with La Mama Explorations in 2022, this premiere season of 'night sweat' plays with form and genre in a sensorial smorgasbord that will have you captivated, cackling, and maybe even crying.

“Michelle’s not scared to put themselves out there and be vulnerable. They’re always pushing at the boundaries of what’s possible. This is what it takes to be a successful theatre maker.” – Morgan Rose (Riot stage/Rawcus)

“McCowage demonstrates a keen skill for comedic lyricism [and their] patent for physical humour is one of the show’s strongest elements, as they embrace the freedom of unrestrained space onstage.” – Theatrehaus in review of ‘Love Don’t Cost A King’

About Michelle McCowage

Michelle McCowage (they/them) is a queer, non-binary actor and theatre maker. Passionate about championing gender diverse voices and non-conventional forms of story telling, Michelle seeks to curate spaces for shared vulnerability.

Since graduating from the VCA with a BFA (Theatre) in 2020, they have written, produced and performed numerous original works across multiple disciplines. From Drag, to film, their most recent credits include their 2022 La Mama Explorations residency where 'night sweat' was first developed, a moving image performance with Jen Valender for Composite Gallery (2023), Boi Band Battle Royale's with Brunswick East Entertainment Festival for Midsumma (2023), a roving Madame P & Her Lizards performance for Born In A Taxi at the Science Gallery (2023), a currently on air, TV Commercial for AAMI Insurance (2023), a Drag King slot in The Titwitchez School of Titcraft and Boobery (Motley Bauhaus, 2023), Devisor and Lead actor: Ash in Crumbs (Artplay x Yirramboi, 2021) and Devisor and Performer in Grand Gesture at La Mama (2021).

Duration: 50 minutes
Event Accessibility: Blind or Low Vision Rating: Partially Accessible
Age suitability: MA15+
Event warnings: Haze Effects, Moderate Coarse Language, Sustained Loud Noises, Some Infrequent/Low Pressure Audience Interaction.
Content warnings: Sexual Harassment, Drug References, Misogyny, Sexual References, Mental Health.

Click HERE to view this event's Access Pack.

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - The Square
Cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts, Carlton, VIC, 3053

Wheelchair Access

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - The Square is wheelchair accessible.

The entrance to the venue is on Lygon St. You can head up the front stairs and through the main doors, once you are through the entrance you will be in the courtyard where our Front of House team will meet you.

Get directions See all events at this venue See detailed venue & access information

Full: $31.00
Hump Day Discount: $23.25
Group 6+: $22.50
Extra Applause: $40.00
Blak Tix: $20.00
Concession: $24.00

Member discounts available

This event is eligible for 25% off full price Fringe Dweller tickets. Just add the tickets that you want then login at checkout and you'll get the cheapest tickets. If you're not a member yet, simply add a membership to your cart and you'll be able to access Fringe Dweller prices straight away.

“McCowage demonstrates a keen skill for comedic lyricism [and their] patent for physical humour is one of the show’s strongest elements, as they embrace the freedom of unrestrained space onstage.” – Theatrehaus (Love Don’t Cost A King, 2022)

theatrehaus.com

Sessions: In Person Events

A single $5.50 transaction fee applies to your booking.

Date	Time	Venue
Wednesday, 04 October 2023 Hump Day	7:30pm	Festival Hub: Trades Hall - The Square Hump Day	Past Event
Thursday, 05 October 2023	7:30pm	Festival Hub: Trades Hall - The Square Sensory Friendly	Past Event
Friday, 06 October 2023	7:30pm	Festival Hub: Trades Hall - The Square	Past Event
Saturday, 07 October 2023	7:30pm	Festival Hub: Trades Hall - The Square	Past Event
Sunday, 08 October 2023	6:30pm	Festival Hub: Trades Hall - The Square	Past Event