You arrive at the meeting point, where you’re registered, processed and stripped of your belongings. You step inside the shipping container, the doors close behind you, and the world you know changes forever.
Inspired by actual events, ‘SK!N’ by TerryandTheCuz redefines the theatrical experience, bringing audiences into the world of human trafficking. Through visceral, achingly beautiful choreography, the despair and desperation of refugees’ mental and physical torture is laid bare – and you, as a participant, are fully immersed.
Created in collaboration with artist Ashley Dyer and Malaysian human rights NGO TENAGANITA, ‘SK!N’ is about the lengths that people go to in order to survive or better their lives. It is about the dehumanising trade of people: its winners and losers. It is about how the privileged, actively and passively, consciously and subconsciously, benefit from and then distance themselves from the plight of others.
Note About Performance:
This is an immersive and participatory performance event. Audience members will be led to outdoor locations near the venue and are encouraged to travel light and wear comfortable clothing appropriate to local weather conditions. Suitable for persons above 12 years of age. Atmospherics, strobe lighting and loud music will be used during the performance. This event is also not wheelchair friendly. Duration: 80 minutes.
ARTIST
Founded in 2004, TerryandTheCuz have since established themselves as a company with a truly global appeal. They have designed, written, directed and created work for theatre, dance, puppetry and art installations for companies, governments and festivals across Asia, America, Europe and Australia.
TerryandTheCuz strive to write, create and design intelligent, humorous, passionate, visceral productions that reflect and engage with our changing society, and attract newer and more diverse audiences to the arts. They seek to constantly develop and extend their collaborative performance-making practice with artists both local and abroad, to find new forms, voices and narratives in all their endeavours.
In Malaysia, TerryandTheCuz have written, directed, designed and produced ‘My Lingam Speaks’, ‘Klue,Doh!’, “The Bee Project’, ‘Flatland; An Adaptation in Dance’ and ‘Welcome2Flatland’ an Interactive Public Art Installation, ‘SK!N’ a work in contemporary performance based on true stories about Human Trafficking and most recently ‘Colours of Malaysia 2017’ for the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia. They are currently working on their Off Broadway premiere of ‘Thicker Than Water’; a new work in theatre, a contemporary Malaysian adaptation of Hamlet, a graphic novel/augmented reality project titled ‘UnderKL’ and the International tour of ‘SK!N’.
In Australia, they have collaborated, created and worked on projects such as ‘Avast and Avast II The Welshman Cometh’, ‘And They Called Him Mr Glamour’, ‘I Feel Awful’ and ‘Doku-Rai’ projects in theatre by The Black Lung Theatre. ‘Thyestes’ by Malthouse and Belvoir Street Theatre, ‘Welcome To Thonnet’ a book launch by Martin Blum for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2012 and The Brisbane International Festival 2013. ‘Tidefolk Fiction’ a contemporary dance performance by James Welsby in conjunction with The City of Melbourne and Melbourne Aquarium. ‘Goodbye CSIRAC’ and ‘Physical Fractals’ contemporary works in performance art as part of the 2012 Next Wave Festival, ‘Room 222’ and ‘Act 3’ for the Australian Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, ‘Bali Agung’ for Taman Safari Indonesia, ‘Colours of Malaysia 07 – 09’ for the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia, ‘Come Away’ and ‘SONG’ experiential works in performance by Ranters Theatre and ‘In Two Minds’ and ‘Rainbow Vomit’ for Dance North.
‘SK!N’ is proudly supported by the Abbotsford Convent. TerryandTheCuz would like to acknowledge Multicultural Arts Victoria as the Community Engagement Partner (Victoria) for ‘SK!N’.
Project Support: Australia Council
Touring Support: Creative Victoria
Community Partner Malaysia: Tenaganita
Community Partner Australia: Welcome To Australia
Community Engagement Partner Victoria: Multicultural Arts Victoria
Melbourne Presenting Support: City of Yarra
Venue Partner: Abbotsford Convent Foundation
Project Seed Funding: National Department of Arts and Culture (Malaysia)
Technical Solutions: The Rubix Cube
Presented by: TerryandTheCuz
Partners: