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VENOM
| the indirect Object Performances - Collaborations - Puppet Making - Workshops - Artist in Residencies Copyright © 2006-2011 'the indirect Object' all rights reserved ABN 55 263 640 956 |
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Influenced by the Australian bush ballad tradition, and
written in rhyming verse, Venom is an exploration of
19th Century Australian traditions and superstitions.
Hand puppetry, naked hand and gestural theatre is
used to portray multiple characters at the same time,
while period costume is combined with physical theatre
to create dynamic forms. Through this approach, the
costume and body become a landscape, a metaphor
for Australia. In this way, all characters (most
significantly the snake) are all produced from the form,
are part of it, controlled by it, and destroyed by it.
The relationship between snakeoil salesman John
Underwood and his 'favourite' snake is central to the
performance. The snake is lover, mother, guide,
teacher, comfort, she is his to be exploited for financial
gain, his accomplice, and ultimately his demise. Again,
a parable for colonial Australia's relationship to the
environment.
A bit of History behind the show:
Based on the true stories of John Underwood and
Joseph Shires, two of the first recorded snake antidote
'snakeoil' salesmen in Australia; their antidotes were
sold throughout Tasmania, Victoria and New South
Wales from 1850 to the 1860s.
In the mid 1860's John Underwood was a success.
Shires considered his antidote a more scientific mix
and sought to discredit Underwood through a
snakebite duel. This took place in Launceston,
Tasmania. Reporters from the day record how neither
man would be bitten by the other’s snake. In frustration
Shires threw snakes at John until a fistfight broke out.
Shires almost beat John to death – and from this
display of brute strength Shires’ antidote was declared
the best by popular opinion. John Underwood was
ruined, and found dead sometime later with his
favourite snake curled inside his shirt and a snakebite
on his hand.
Shires became very famous and began performing in a
music hall in Melbourne, Victoria, until an unbelieving
Magistrate challenged him and insisted he be bitten to
prove Shires' antidote was a sham. The Magistrate
died, and he never took the antidote.
written in rhyming verse, Venom is an exploration of
19th Century Australian traditions and superstitions.
Hand puppetry, naked hand and gestural theatre is
used to portray multiple characters at the same time,
while period costume is combined with physical theatre
to create dynamic forms. Through this approach, the
costume and body become a landscape, a metaphor
for Australia. In this way, all characters (most
significantly the snake) are all produced from the form,
are part of it, controlled by it, and destroyed by it.
The relationship between snakeoil salesman John
Underwood and his 'favourite' snake is central to the
performance. The snake is lover, mother, guide,
teacher, comfort, she is his to be exploited for financial
gain, his accomplice, and ultimately his demise. Again,
a parable for colonial Australia's relationship to the
environment.
A bit of History behind the show:
Based on the true stories of John Underwood and
Joseph Shires, two of the first recorded snake antidote
'snakeoil' salesmen in Australia; their antidotes were
sold throughout Tasmania, Victoria and New South
Wales from 1850 to the 1860s.
In the mid 1860's John Underwood was a success.
Shires considered his antidote a more scientific mix
and sought to discredit Underwood through a
snakebite duel. This took place in Launceston,
Tasmania. Reporters from the day record how neither
man would be bitten by the other’s snake. In frustration
Shires threw snakes at John until a fistfight broke out.
Shires almost beat John to death – and from this
display of brute strength Shires’ antidote was declared
the best by popular opinion. John Underwood was
ruined, and found dead sometime later with his
favourite snake curled inside his shirt and a snakebite
on his hand.
Shires became very famous and began performing in a
music hall in Melbourne, Victoria, until an unbelieving
Magistrate challenged him and insisted he be bitten to
prove Shires' antidote was a sham. The Magistrate
died, and he never took the antidote.