Flaming Carnations brings ‘Polis and Panathenaia’ to Anywhere Theatre festival
Flaming Carnations, an emerging production company and arts collective, is back with a new feminist theatre work that challenges gender politics in public spaces. The new work, titled Polis and Panathenaia, reimagines the stories of five iconic Ancient Greek women for the modern age. This Australian and immersive work seeks to question notions of public space and power dynamics in classical Greek myth-lead plays.
In ancient Athens, women were rarely allowed to attend activities outside of the home. The Panatheneaia, an annual festival in honour of the goddess Athena, provided a rare public space for women to have an active role. However, thousands of years later, gender politics continue to taint public spaces all over the world, including places deemed safe such as schools, universities, and Parliament House in Australia.
Flaming Carnations’ Polis and Panathenaia will be a site-specific promenade performance that centres five contrasting women of Greek tragedy, giving each character a distinct space and moving the audience to reflect on power, erasure, and tragedy. This production will take place at VENTspace located at 23 Glenelg St, South Brisbane, from 11th to 14th May 2023.
The show is not suitable for all audiences as it features verbal depictions of suicide, infanticide, and homicide, as well as some course language. The limited parking availability directly outside VENTspace means it is advisable to take public transportation, with nearby transportation hubs including South Brisbane Station (600m), South Bank Station (750m), and Cultural Centre Bus Exchange (800m). Parking garage locations nearby include QPAC (550m) and Southpoint Car Park (650m).
Tickets for Polis and Panathenaia can be booked via the Flaming Carnations website. For those who are unable to purchase tickets, a limited number of complimentary tickets can be arranged by direct contact with the artists.
Flaming Carnations is committed to supporting and uplifting diverse creatives and drawing attention to the independent arts scene in Meanjin. This new production is a testament to their mission and is a must-see for anyone interested in experiencing boundary-pushing theatre that challenges gender politics and power dynamics in public spaces. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to witness this unique and immersive performance. Get your tickets now!
