Midnight Feast Is Heading To The Opera House

FIRESIDE, an original new work by independent theatre company Midnight Feast, will delight audiences at The Studio Sydney Opera House with three performances, 7.30pm on Thursday, November 29, followed by a 2pm and 730pm on Friday, November 30, 2018.

The company enables artists experiencing physical, intellectual and emotional challenges the opportunity to participate in the performing arts and celebrates abilities not limitations.

The production is all about connections, exploring humanity in all its diversity, challenging assumptions and discovering the power of a small act of kindness.

People sitting around a campfire at dusk, stars glittering above, talking about their dreams...Sarah wishes she wasn't deaf, Nick would prefer he really was John Farnham and Heath that he wasn't hit by a car. One person dreams the world might be a better place... another that people could be nicer but all Nina wants is a golden ticket...

Local Indigenous actor, dancer, drag queen extraordinaire Joseph Cardona has been cast to play Josie, the first ever Miss First Nation, a role which Cardona himself won at the Darwin drag queen festival in 2017. "I always wanted to be that mentor to teach Indigenous youth to not be afraid and to reach their dreams."

Kylie Harris founded the revolutionary Midnight Feast initiative back in 2011, after many years of performing, teaching and working with performers with disabilities. " Our performances give audiences an opportunity to become familiar with the unfamiliar and to become more inclusive" said Harris. They have big plans for the company, including performing at the 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Since June last year the independent theatre have been warmly supported by NIDA as their first Theatre in residence. The company rehearse at their studios and collaborate with NIDA's writers, directors and costume department. "We want a wide community of people in our building and in our realm " said Stephen Sewell - Head of writing for performance. Dr Sue Osmond is looking after costuming for FIRESIDE.

Iconic Australian actor Kiruna Stamell (who has dwarfism) recently became the company's ambassador. "Being able to represent disability on mainstream stages, in film and on television really promotes diversity, access and a social change. Without genuinely disabled people being enabled and facilitated so that they can share their voices and ideas with society via the arts in Australia, we are effectively silenced by an artistic and media endorsed apartheid. Rendered invisible." said Stamell.

"Type in 'inspirational'. Right click. Pull down synonyms. Stimulating Stirring Rousing Moving. Well ... that's bullshit. These artists exhibit no desire for that kind of spurious platitudinous response. CHRYSALIS combines vignettes, songs and storytelling in a medical setting with a beating heart of verite theatre.These are performers whose work has an urgency to be respected for their message." - Midnight Feast in Chrysalis, Judith Greenway Sydney Arts Guide 2017

In August Midnight Feast was endorsed by the Wayside Chappel. The Chappel's Twilight Band will perform prior to the 2pm FIRESIDE matinee at which invited marginalised communities will attend. Lani McLachlan, one of Waysides very own, will perform a Welcome to Country, marking her first ever visit to the iconic Sydney venue.

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