The Farm "Cockfight"
2017
Performing Lines & NORPA (Australia) and Dance Touring Partnership present
Cockfight by The Farm
Cockfight by The Farm
Two blokes in an office. One older, one younger, each body pushed to its limits. A cross between The Office and an Australian style cage-fight, this game of comical one-upmanship builds to a moment of impact where everything is suspended. A flash of bared teeth, the desperation of needing to prove yourself versus the need to hold on to what you’ve got.
Cockfight explores the power play between men, the frailty of the ageing body and questions culture’s desperate desire for achievement.
Skilfully enacting a full-throttle mash-up of extreme physical risk-taking, graceful movement and slow-mo fight sequences, this darkly humorous and surprisingly tender piece of dance theatre by The Farm, sees long-time collaborators Joshua Thomson and Gavin Webber reassess who is in charge.
Without each other these two performers have nothing left to fight for.
“It is sidesplittingly hilarious and beautifully athletic and graceful.” ABC Arts
“[Cockfight] is physical theatre at its most extreme: bodies slam into walls and office furniture, and perilous interlocking rolls, tackles and lunges fling performers through space.” The Australian
“Its physicality is masterful and its comedy biting” Dance Australia
“At times broadly comedic, with a Buster Keaton-esque physicality on show, Cockfight switches effortlessly to moments of beauty and poignancy” ArtsHub
“They’re terrific movers, speedy, strong and fearless…” Ballet.co.uk
Originally commissioned by NORPA and supported by DanceNorth, Townsville; the Centre for Contemporary Arts, Cairns (COCA); Arts Queensland and the Australia Council for the Arts, and toured by Performing Lines. The Farm is supported by the Gold Coast City Council. UK tour is funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Running time 70 mins
Age suitability 14+
Photos by Kate Holmes (promo)/Darcy Grant (production shots)
Age suitability 14+
Photos by Kate Holmes (promo)/Darcy Grant (production shots)
Directors Kate Harman, Julian Louis, Joshua Thomson & Gavin Webber for The Farm
Performers Joshua Thomson and Gavin Webber
Lighting Design Mark Howett
Sound Design Luke Smiles
Set Design Joey Ruigrok & Joshua Thomson
Producers The Farm in association with NORPA and Performing Lines
Performers Joshua Thomson and Gavin Webber
Lighting Design Mark Howett
Sound Design Luke Smiles
Set Design Joey Ruigrok & Joshua Thomson
Producers The Farm in association with NORPA and Performing Lines
At The Farm, work is made in a collaborative process where everyone brings their expertise without being confined to it. All animals are equal.
[Tour dates have yet to be confirmed so it is not definite that this show will be appearing at The Lowry.]