Lovers on the highway, chased down by their past.
Cole and Sky, a young couple, are driving in a classic Aussie car from the coast into the guts of the country. Cole’s father is ill and Sky is due a holiday after climbing the corporate ladder.
They set out with unbridled enthusiasm for the road ahead; swept up in romantic dreaming and poetic ruminations amid the boundless plains. They knit new narratives for themselves; give themselves new names and identities in sync with their seemingly unanimous versions of utopia. Their newfound freedom is underscored by a long-forgotten mix tape buried deep in the glovebox, but out of the static following the final song comes a blast from the past.
Equal parts Mad Max, Evil Angels, and Wolf Creek, 'Horizon' is a high-octane journey that’s over the limit, overheating and tearing right into the heart of Australia. 'Horizon' harnesses the allegorical power inherent in the literal journey to slam entrenched traditional Australian identity tropes into a new, contemporary vision of what Australian society could be.
'Horizon' premiered at Brisbane Powerhouse in May 2021.
- Venue Format
- Theatre, Black Box Venue
- Technical Rating
- Touring Party
- 4
- Considerations
15+. WARNING: Contains coarse language and adult themes including sexual consent.
‘Horizon’ has an actual car with a revolve on stage and visual projection throughout. The technical specifications are available in the Presenters Pack. Playlab Theatre will supply the car set piece with the revolve and the projection screen/surface.
The show tours with a Stage Manager and a Technician/Operator.
PLAYLAB THEATRE
Playlab Theatre is an award-winning production company that seeks to challenge perspectives of Australian Culture through Australian Theatre. Uniquely, Playlab Theatre (Playlab) does this through developing, publishing and producing new Australian Theatre with playwrights at the centre of the creative process.
Through Playlab’s development program is a pathway to advance a work from inception to rehearsal readiness. The Playwright-in-Residence program supports playwrights to reach their potential through commissioning for production. At any given time Playlab has at least three commissioned works on the slate, undergoing rigorous development to ensure excellence. Playlab’s objective is to tour productions straight after their debut seasons to keep costs low for presenters and improve outcomes for artists.
As a new-writing theatre, Playlab privileges adventurous work that speaks to the diversity and politics of contemporary Australia and appeals to audiences across the country.
- Company Website
- playlabtheatre.com.au
Unique Selling Point
‘Horizon’ is inspired by Mad Max: Fury Road, and the classic films of the Ozploitation era, and is set in a real-life classic car that rotates on stage in a high-octane adrenaline rush of sweat, grit and dangerous ambition.
The award-winning team from ‘Blue Bones’ return to bring to life the Australian landscape, from the coast to the outback, and shift into poetic, surreal and magical places as the car journey progresses and the sun goes down.
The isolation of the Australian outback and the twists and turns in the story will keep audiences riveted until the unexpected end.
Marketing Materials
Playlab Theatre has a comprehensive library of digital and physical assets including marketing collateral, templates, production shots, promotional images, artist interviews and video footage, which will be shared with our presenting partners.
'Horizon’ is published by Playlab Theatre. The publication can be made available for sale in the foyer.
A comprehensive set of education notes written by Stephanie Tudor, the President of Drama Queensland, are currently available. This includes a synopsis of the play, detailed interviews with Maxine Mellor and Ian Lawson about the creative process, Curriculum Connections with script excerpts, activities, resources, and discussions on the elements of drama.
Community Engagement
Post-performance discussions will be available to enable the audience to engage with the actors and ask questions about the show and its creation and acting in general. The play script will be available for purchase in hardcopy. For school communities, there are comprehensive education notes available for download. There will also be a potential for directing, acting and playwriting workshops by the creatives within the work in the local community or through online platforms. Due to 'Horizon' being an exciting show with the activation of the car, there is also the potential for technical workshops, focusing on digital technologies, tools and skills. Artists interviews can also be arranged.
Comments/Reviews
Erika Tucker - Theatre Haus
Media Review
“Playwright Maxine Mellor’s razor-sharp script was brought to life by director Ian Lawson and expertly executed by actors Ngoc Phan (as Sky) alongside Sam Foster (as Cole).”
Audience Member
Audience Review
“A pertinent and engaging new work that speaks directly to the zeitgeist of gender and gender politics. The casting was representative of contemporary Australia and the story was incredibly well directed. This is the kind of theatre that gets people back to the theatre.”
Audience Member
Audience Review
“Amazing show - so hard to believe that 2 actors and a car could be so captivating.”
Meredith Walker - Blue Curtain
Media Review
“'Horizon' is at its core an intimate story, however, it is also one of big twists, turns and technical demands within its apparent simplicity and speak to contemporary Australia. Under Ian Lawson’s direction, it is a thrilling ride not for the faint of heart, but rather those who like their drama with a bit of terror” (Read More)
Rhumer Diball - Downstage Discernments
Media Review
“Playlab’s debut production of Horizon collages a collection of diverse writing styles, a captivating performance duo, and sharp and sophisticated design elements.”
Matildas Judging Panel
Colleague Review
In 2017 the Matilda Award Committee (Queensland Theatre Awards) awarded the Gold Matilda Award to Playlab for over 44 years of outstanding contribution to the industry. "Playlab for evolving into Queensland’s new-writing theatre company with their inaugural production of 'Blue Bones', positioning them nationally as the only company to take work from idea through development, on stage and into publication." (Read More)
Jo Thomas, CEO +Creative Director, Metro Arts
Colleague Review
"The work Playlab have been doing with regards to text-based theatre is crucial to the growth of playwriting in Queensland. We have a strong relationship sharing artist networks and developing pathways for new work and artists. Playlab Theatre continues to grow from strength to strength."