became interested in performances of Hamlet for which no recordings exist , and which only reside in the memories of those who saw them . “ At some point I stopped looking for recordings of Hamlet , and started making recordings of memories .”
Beau began conducting interviews and the real show began to emerge . Something of the character of Hamlet lent itself to the project on which Beau had embarked . “ There is , I think , a queer association to lip syncing that is relevant to the lens I wanted to look at Hamlet through . Because I think that Hamlet is an inherently queer character . In the broadest and deepest sense . And I think that I ’ m drawn to figures that tend to articulate a queer subjectivity .”
The camp quality of lip sync means it is a form where the frivolous can co-exist with deep seriousness . “ I think we all become one another in this world . In my worldview we are all mutable echoes vibrating in a vast feedback loop . I am not as discrete as I might like to believe .”
“ The idea of ‘ me ’ is really something of a ghost . So , lip syncing speaks to that , too . I also paradoxically find that in channelling the voices of others , I can find a space in which I speak for myself .”
— JOHN BAILEY
John Bailey is a freelance writer based in Melbourne .
DICKIE BEAU MASTERCLASS — THE FABULATORS
Following this Melbourne International Arts Festival season of Remember-Me , Dickie Beau joins us for an exclusive three-day performance masterclass . The workshop will focus on techniques and rituals used in physical preparation for performance . It will also look at the background to Dickie Beau ’ s practice and to what traditions it owes its existence , including classical acting , drag , clowning , and physical theatre .
23 — 25 October , 10am — 5pm
For more information visit https :// melbfe . st / 2IK1DxZ
THE ARTIST THANKS
Martin Sherman , Sean Mathias , Sir Ian McKellen , Sir Richard Eyre , John Wood , Suzanne Bertish , Stephen Ashby , John Peter , Judith Burnley , Cliona Roberts , Matthew Poxon , Ivan Mulcahy , Aoife Monks , Denise Gough , Benedict Cumberbatch , Deborah Warner , Robert Icke , Lucy Pattison , Malcolm Sinclair , Fiona Shaw , Pamela Vision , Salette Gressett , Fintan Walsh , Mark Russell , Jonathan Holloway and all at Melbourne International Arts Festival , Daniel Clarke and all at Arts Centre Melbourne .
ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE
At Arts Centre Melbourne , we bring people together for remarkable experiences . Sitting beneath our iconic Spire , we ’ re Australia ’ s largest and busiest performing arts centre . Each year we stage more than 4,000 performances and public events and welcome over 3 million people through our doors . In fact , as a cultural and architectural landmark in our nation ’ s cultural capital , we ’ ve showcased the best of Australian and international performing arts for over 30 years .
artscentremelbourne . com . au
MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL
Melbourne International Arts Festival is one of Australia ’ s leading international arts festivals and has an outstanding reputation for commissioning and presenting unique international and Australian dance , theatre , music , visual arts , free and outdoor events each October .
At the heart of Melbourne ’ s culture of creativity , we curate unique experiences that bring people together and break new ground in culture and the arts .
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Jonathan Holloway
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Kath M Mainland CBE
03 — 21 OCTOBER 2018 festival . melbourne # melbfest
Melbourne International Arts Festival and Arts Centre Melbourne acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live , learn and work . We pay our respects to the Kulin Elders and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples .
PRINCIPAL PUBLIC PARTNER
COVER PHOTOS | Robin Fisher