THE INTERGALACTIC NEMESIS Set for Arts Centre Melbourne in September

Telling an all-ages adventure story set in the 1930s, The Intergalactic Nemesis at Arts Centre Melbourne from 9-13 September mashes up comic book and radio-play formats into a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience, the Live-Action Graphic Novel.

The unique American work, written and directed by Jason Neulander, is set in 1933. Pulitzer-winning reporter Molly Sloan, her intrepid assistant Timmy Mendez, and a mysterious librarian named Ben Wilcott face the most serious threat Earth has ever known: an impending invasion of sludge monsters from the planet Zygon.

Three actors voice dozens of characters, a Foley artist creates all the sound effects, and a pianist plays a cinematic score, while more than 1,250 individual full-colour hi-res comic book panels tell a hilarious sci-fi adventure story visually from an enormous movie screen.

When The Intergalactic Nemesis: A Live-Action Graphic Novel premiered in September 2010 more than 2,000 people attended the Austin, Texas performance. Shortly after it was featured on popular US talk show Conan hosted by television host, comedian, writer and producer, Conan O'Brien and featured on NPR (National Public Radio) show All Things Considered. It has played more than 80 venues around the US, UK, and Canada, including a run at the New Victory Theatre on Broadway.

Writer and director Jason Neulander is an internationally acclaimed writer, director, and producer whose work fuses multiple artistic disciplines with technology to create unique and original theatrical and literary experiences. In the 90s, Neulander founded the avant-garde company Salvage Vanguard Theater in Austin, Texas, and during his 15-year run as Artistic Director developed and directed more than 50 original experimental plays and music-theatre productions.

"In 20 years of directing and producing plays, I've never seen an audience respond so positively [to The Intergalactic Nemesis]," Neulander said.

Arts Centre Melbourne's team at The Channel will also be presenting a sound stage workshop on Friday 10 July, Saturday 8 August, Saturday 5 and Wednesday 30 September. The workshop will give participants the opportunity to record their own sound design, dialogue and narration for a video excerpt of the show.

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