Poised in the delicate space between concert and theatre, Permission to Speak explores the most universal of relationships - that of parent and child - as it exists and evolves through a lifetime.

This first-time collaboration between Tamara Saulwick and composer Kate Neal pairs contemporary performance with musical composition to construct a revealing portrait of that which is often left unspoken.

Musings, diatribes, recollections and hindsight find voice as four performer–vocalists are fused in choral counterpoint with an assembly of pre-recorded voices, offering multiple perspectives on the contemporary experience of family. What would we say to those who brought us into the world? What will we say to those we leave behind?

Built from interviews with people of all ages, Permission to Speak interweaves the complexities, parallels and paradoxes of this dynamic relationship – manifested through the speaking, sounding, singing human voice.

REVIEW QUOTES

'The permission which is granted in this show is also a kind of celebration; and, while there's much that is sad or poignant in the remembered stories, the overall feeling is of airiness and giddy relief.' Andrew Fuhrmann, Realtime

'This piece is a soft joy, a catharsis, an honest act of connecting.' ★★★★ 1/2 Cera Maree Brown, Theatre People

'Sonic high-wire artists without a net, they caught each other every time.' David Collins, Australia Arts Review

ARTISTS

Concept/direction/text/libretto Tamara Saulwick

Composition/libretto Kate Neal

Sound design JethroWoodward

Performance Gian Slater, Georgie Darvidis, Josh Kyle and Edward Fairlie

Lighting design Bosco Shaw

Costume design Marg Horwell

PRESENTATION HISTORY

PREMIERE SEASON
ARTS HOUSE 23-27 November 2016

BRISBANE POWERHOUSE 23-24 February 2018