Experimental

The Farewell

Appuyez sur "1" pour lui briser le coeur. Press "2" to break her heart.

FREE EVENT
Sessions & Tickets
The image is of a man in a darkened room, sitting at a desk. He is holding the receiver of a red rotary phone to his ear and is facing a 1960s television, which is filled with static. He is caucasian with short brown hair, and is wearing a crumpled khaki shirt, the phone receiver is obscuring his face from view.

  • Presented by: BK Opera

  • Concept by: Kate Millett, Keegan Bragg & Gabriel Bethune

  • Performed by: Annelise Menna & Esther Counsel

The Farewell is a part-opera, part-theatre art installation where one participant will witness a very public break-up.

Situated inside the bustling Fringe Hub at Trades Hall, a phone and television set rests atop a dining table. Be the first to notice the phone when it begins ringing, pick it up, and take a seat.

Elle is at the other end of the line - or rather, two Elles. On one TV channel is part of Jean Cocteau's 1930 play The Human Voice, and the other is Francis Poulenc's 1958 opera La Voix Humaine. Flick between French and English, opera and theatre, and decide how you wish to experience the most famous one-sided telephone conversation of the 20th century.

Break-ups over the phone are never fun, but if you have a message you'd like to get to Elle then leave us a short correspondence before you return to your evening. We promise we'll get it through to her.

The experience will last approximately 15 minutes before the phone rings again.

About BK Opera

Founded in 2016, BK Opera is focused on bringing opera into the 21st century, confronting the dominant paradigm and presenting opera as a modern and engaging artform. We create dark and intimate works that showcase opera in a new light.

bkopera.com.au

  • Duration: Come and go as you please

  • Age suitability: M

  • Event warnings: Some Infrequent/Low Pressure Audience Interaction.

  • Content warnings: Self Harm Or Suicide, Emotional Abuse, Misogyny, Mental Health.

Please note, the experience will last for approximately 15 minutes and will be situated on the first floor of the Victoria St. buillding, next to the Evatt Room performance space. 

  • Festival Hub: Trades Hall
    Cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts, Carlton, VIC, 3053

    Wheelchair Access

    Festival Hub: Trades Hall is wheelchair accessible. The venue can be accessed via the front portico where there is a wheelchair lift or via the courtyard entrance both on Lygon St. These events take place in a range of locations, and a Melbourne Fringe representative will direct you to the appropriate location. All events within Trades Hall are wheelchair accessible.

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

  • Free Event

*Prices are subject to change without notice. Standard terms and conditions apply.

Sessions: In Person Events

Date Time Venue

Wednesday, 02 October 2024

5:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall

Thursday, 03 October 2024

5:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall

Friday, 04 October 2024

5:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall

Saturday, 05 October 2024

5:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall

Sunday, 06 October 2024

4:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall

Wednesday, 09 October 2024

5:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall

Thursday, 10 October 2024

5:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall

Friday, 11 October 2024

5:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall

Saturday, 12 October 2024

5:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall

Sunday, 13 October 2024

4:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall

Wednesday, 16 October 2024

5:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall

Thursday, 17 October 2024

5:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall

Friday, 18 October 2024

5:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall

Saturday, 19 October 2024

5:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall

Sunday, 20 October 2024

4:30pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall

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