Perpetual Frustration Machine

Creative minds Stephen Sewell (AFI Award Winner, Head of Writing, NIDA) and Zebastian Hunter (Cirque du Soleil, NICA, NIDA) have produced a new dark and thought-provoking circus production. In collaboration with Theatre Works, this piece will have you questioning your own modern life. Perpetual Frustration Machine is a contemporary theatre show incorporating circus tricks and the exploration of the meaning of life, or lack there of through an existential script.

Perpetual Frustration Machine combines creative imagery and costuming to accompany the skillset of the artists. Modern, melancholic themes juxtapose traditional circus acts while the show itself draws inspiration from Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory of the death drive. The theory outlines the tendency in human nature that veer towards self-destruction, or humans destroy things in pursuit of personal desire. The show explores this through themes of the modern world including recognition, money, violence, sex and domestic bliss.

Overall, Perpetual Frustration Machine’s script is raw and absorbing. A provocative and poetic text written by Sewell featured in the show effectively illustrates the universal dilemma of modern human desire. The cast – Debra Batton, Adam O’Connor-McMahon, Seth Scheuner and Stephanie Benson – showcase their acting, dancing and nimble abilities throughout the show. This circus drama portrays a range of athletic brilliance through an artistic voice and style. The imagery and script is unique to provide the audience with a show disparate from the norm.

Contortion, acrobatics, aerial hoop, dart throwing and glass walking are some of the acts you’ll see in Perpetual Frustration Machine.

Perpetual Frustration Machine
Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda
Till Sunday, 23 December 2024
theatreworks.org.au/program/perpetual-frustration-machine

Pictures: Jodie Hutchinson