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MARKETING TAGLINE
Unconventional, joyous and genuinely moving THE CATALOGUE OF FORGETTING delves into the tug of war between remembering and forgetting. 

SYNOPSIS 
A 10-year reunion party is taking place in a community hall. The party goers arrive, music is playing and the smell of freshly baked scones fills the air. Stories are told, memories are shared, laughter permeates the hall. But what happens when our memory is unclear, when someone’s story isn’t what we expected to hear, when the line between remembering and forgetting becomes real and tangible.

THE CATALOGUE OF FORGETTING weaves cabaret, theatre and vaudeville with traditional dance genres and commercial pop culture. The performers are volunteers, the audience is both guest and observer as they search for connection. 


PRODUCTION DETAILS
THE CATALOGUE OF FORGETTING is a community project that involves professional artists, a core group of mature women from Brisbane along with volunteers from the local community. Created by Wendy McPhee, THE CATALOGUE OF FORGETTING is woven together with community involvement via a series of workshops. It culminates in a semi-improvised performance creating a fun, genuine and tangible production that resonates profoundly with audiences.  

 

CREATIVE TEAM

Wendy McPhee - Creator & Artistic Director 

Georgia Bale - Operations 

Richard Vella - Original Composition 

Sarah Kirkham - Consultant 

Fiona Cullen - Photographer 

Wendy Raitelli - Rehearsal Consultant

 

TOURING 
THE CATALOGUE OF FORGETTING is specifically designed for touring: 

• Venue: regional country halls, bowling clubs (venues with kitchens). Can be adapted to fit small to medium cabaret, black box, or theatre venues

• Low-Cost: approx. $11,000 inclusive of community workshops and performance 

• Minimal Technical Requirements: audio sound system, table and chairs

• Bump in approx. 3-5hrs (depending on venue). Bump out approx. 1hr

• Duration:  approx. 1 hour 30 minutes, including the “Tea Break”

• Audience: local community (general admission)

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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT DETAILS

THE CATALOGUE OF FORGETTING is accessible to anyone with a desire to connect to their community. The project invites a team of volunteers from the local community to be part of the performance. Everyone is welcome, no prior dance or performance experience is needed. Volunteers can be aged 18 upwards, any ethnicity, or gender. 

THE CATALOGUE OF FORGETTING is divided into 3 parts:

Parts 1 & 3 are performed by the “Core” group (between 4-8 women from Brisbane) and the “Extras” group (volunteers from the local community)

Part 2 is the “Cameo” role performed by local ex/professional artists 

Between Part 2 & Part 3 is the “Tea Break” hosted by volunteers from the local community

 

The roles are as follows: 

·       “Extras”: A group of between 6 and 20 volunteers who want to be involved in the performance. This role is similar to extras on a movie set. They need to be willing to participate in workshops leading into the performance, have a desire to have fun, and move their bodies.  

·       “Tea Break”: A small team of volunteers who want to organise a showcase of local produce. They need to be willing to serve the local produce during the “Tea Break” in the performance. 

·       “Cameo”: An opportunity for a local professional or ex-professional performing artist(s) to develop a “Cameo” role based on the theme of remembering and forgetting. This role will be performed in the middle section of the show.  

 

 

TIME COMMITMENT FOR VOLUNTEERS  

Basic community volunteers are required for:

• 5 Rehearsals of 3hrs duration

• 1 Technical rehearsal

• 1 Performance

 

“Extras” 1 Initial Rehearsal 3-4hr duration, 3 Rehearsals 3-4hr duration, 1 Technical Rehearsal, 1 Performance.

“Tea Break” 1 Information session with Artistic Director 2-3hr duration, self-directed organisation of local produce, 1 Technical Rehearsal, 1 Performance.

 

“Cameo” 1 Information session with Artistic Director 2-3hr duration, self-directed rehearsal, 1 Technical Rehearsal, 1 Performance.

 

A short video and breakdown of each “role” is available on request. There are numerous other ways of being involved in the project. Please contact us and we can assist. 

 

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