Penny Machinations
Created by Telia Nevile and Matt Kelly
Performed by a vast array of Melbourne's finest theatrical talent, including core ensemble members Bron Batten and Richard Higgins.
Penny Machinations are private-viewing performance venues that house an ever-changing array of bite-sized original theatre. Originally inspired by 19th Century penny arcades, Penny Machinations provides short pieces of performance-on-demand to the curious and courageous, with a constantly growing repertoire of pieces on offer than runs the gamut from naturalistic theatre to comedy, caricature and contemporary dance. Whether you have stepped into The Silhouetted Lady's boudoir for a little snake-oil showmanship, climbed into the backseat of The Barina of Mystery for a contemporary dance road-trip, or dared to test your psychic abillity with our Skilltester, Penny Machinations has something for everyone and will perform it just for you and your friends.
Created by Telia Nevile and Matt Kelly, Penny Machinations premiered its private-viewing performance arcade as part of La Mama's 2004 Explorations Season. Since then, it has recieved Outstanding Special Event at the 2005 Melbourne Fringe, and enjoyed audience acclaim as part of the 2006 Melbourne Fringe, The Falls Festival (Marion Bay 2006, Lorne 2007), The Village at Edinburgh Gardens (2006, 2007), The Grape Escape (Halls Gap 2007) and Midsumma (2007).
Penny Machinations will next appear as part of the Victorian Arts Centre's 2008 Chookahs Childrens Festival.
Below are a very small selection of pictures and piece descriptions. If you need any further information, please email me at telianevile@yahoo.com.
2006 Melbourne Fringe Arcade
Our five-booth, pay-per-view performance arcade was set up on the stage of the Festival Club in the North Melbourne Town Hall.
Photo by Telia Nevile
The Barina of Mystery
4 variations, 2 performers
Audience members squeeze into the back of our clapped-out 1988 red Holden Barina and are treated to one of a series of intimate dance pieces about friendship, boredom and minties.
The Barina of Mystery was created and performed by Matt Kelly and Bron Batten, and is seen here as part of The Village at The Grape Escape, Halls Gap VIC, 2007.
Photo by Telia Nevile
The Silhouetted Lady
4 variations, 1 performer, 1 door bitch
Performed in silhouette from behind a screen, the Silhouetted Lady loses none of her impact by not showing her face. Be regaled by monologues of horror, wonder and discovery, delivered with snake-oil panache and show-stopping flair.
The Silhouetted Lady was created by Telia Nevile, and is seen here performed by Eva Johansen as part of the 2005 Melbourne Fringe.
Photo by Telia Nevile
Black Jack
Audience reflexive, 3 performers
Walk right up, sit right down, you gotta know when to hold em and know when to fold em. Our blackjack table is populated by customers caught in an endless game where they only converse in song lyrics, but you have just 3 hands to play.
Black Jack was created by Telia Nevile and Matt Kelly, and is seen here performed by Michelle Lee, Toby Newton and Glen Walton as part of the 2004 La Mama Explorations Season.
Photo by Telia Nevile
Other pieces include...
...ad infinitum
6 variations, 3 performers
Set to live performance of golden-oldie love songs, ...ad infinitum is built to resemble an old penny arcade machine, with two dolls who stand ready to perform your choice of the Beginning, Middle or End of love's lifecycle. This is a movement piece containing cheesy romance, soul-satisfying cliche and Jerry Springer finales. Each lifecycle phase has both a 'normal' and a 'malfunctioning' version.
The Bearded Man (formerly The Bearded Margie)
2 variations, 1 performer
Every stare at someone on public transport and thought "I wonder what they're thinking"? Well put on your headphones, plug in your ipod and wonder no more.
Something Borrowed, Something Blue
4 variations, 2 performers
By picking Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed or Something Blue, you are treated to one of four perspectives on the same story. Weddings can be wonderful things...unless the motives are less than pure.
Presto Chango
2 variations, 1 performer
Step into Belinda's bedroom and lend your ear. Belinda's really different now. No she is...she's the new Belinda...or at least she's trying to be.
Skilltester
Audience reflexive, 1 performer
Do you often pick up the phone before it rings? Can you communicate with toasters, stones or other inanimate objects? Perhaps you have the gift. Put yourself into the hands of our expert and take our 3-part test to find out.
Plus many, many others. New pieces added all the time!