Set in world that is part cocktail lounge, part jungle, KING is a biting, yet humorous expose' on toxic masculinity.

KING is a new music-dance collaboration between award-winning director and choreographer Shaun Parker and internationally renowned Bulgarian-born songwriter and vocalist Ivo Dimchev.

Set in a theatrical world that is part cocktail lounge, part jungle, KING employs Parker's trademark highly physical and articulate choreography in an interrogation of the notion of male power, control and group dynamic: teasing out patterns of toxic masculinity.

The work is set to a scorching live sung narration, created and performed by Dimchev, which in turn, is seen to instruct the story’s key protagonist: an archetypal cis-hetero-alpha-male, stripped naked in a diverse modern-day male-dominated world.

KING offers audiences a fresh take on notions of power and brutality, in the form of a biting, yet humorous theatrical nod to a society in revolt against an exhausted patriarchy. From laddish pranks to violent annihilation, from bravado and bullying to attempts at loving kindness, audiences will see the extremes of what a so-called “man’s world” has been, and are invited to consider its all too often brutal consequences.

The cocktail of Shaun Parker’s powerhouse choreography and Dimchev’s evocative compositions will leave audiences mesmerised.

Venue Format
Theatre
Technical Rating
A, B
Touring Party
14
Considerations

KING contains full frontal nudity and adult themes. Suitable for ages 16+ only. The production also uses haze.

Shaun Parker & Company is an exhilarating and bold Australian dance company that has exploded onto the international dance scene. It creates critically acclaimed dance productions, which are renowned for their integration of stimulating choreographic forms, arresting musical scores and theatrical invention.

The company was founded in 2010 by award winning Artistic Director and Choreographer Shaun Parker. His work is described as ‘so cutting edge it actually wanders off the edge of any single-word definition…’

Based in Sydney, the company has toured across Australia and internationally to Germany, Austria, France, Spain, Sweden, Luxembourg, Belgium, The Netherlands, Serbia, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, USA, Serbia and the UK (including a sold out season at London’s prestigious dance house Sadler’s Wells)

The company has won two Australian Dance Awards, the Shirley McKechnie Award for Choreography, the NSW Premier’s Creative Achievement Award, a Banksy Award (New Zealand), the Argus Angel Award (UK), the Bearer Of Hope Award (Germany), several Helpmann Award nominations, Finalist for the CHASS Prize, and Finalist in Premier’s NSW Export Awards in the Creative Industries genre.

Shaun Parker & Company is supported by the Australia Council for the Arts (2016 – 2020) and Create NSW and is resident company at the Seymour Centre.

Company Website
shaunparkercompany.com

Unique Selling Point

• KING is an outstanding example of Shaun Parker’s choreography – an accessible blend of high-octane dance, extreme physicality and witty humour. • Features nine outstanding Australian dancers and stunning vocals by Bulgarian cabaret star Ivo Dimchev.
• Visually spectacular set -Part Cocktail Lounge, Part Jungle - featuring real lush jungle plants onstage, embellished by a suspended glowing chandelier.
• Socio-political relevance - KING evolved from Parker’s research into the XY chromosome. It explores male behaviour and its affect on others within our society at a time when we are reflecting on male behaviour and toxic masculinity. • Funny, entertaining, compelling...a real crowd pleaser.

Marketing Materials

SP&Co can provide high quality digital files for the following: • Digital art work for A3 full colour KING poster • Digital art work for A4 full colour program/handbill • Digital at work for DL full colour KING flyer Plus: • High quality video footage suitable for TVC • High quality shout out video footage • High quality edited video footages for social media • Media Release template • Quotes from reviews and audience feedback • Access to Shaun Parker and cast members (from Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Byron Bay, Launceston) for interviews • Access to Shaun Parker for Question & Answer pre-show • Our special Queer Bites community engagement program

Community Engagement

Shaun Parker & Company developed the Queer Bites workshop and mentoring program for 10 LGBTQI identified emerging dancers in association KING’s premiere in Sydney. Queer Bites is available in addition to KING. Presented by Shaun Parker in the months leading up to the performance, Queer Bites would involve a 1 week intensive workshop program and ongoing mentoring leading up to the performance(s) of KING in communities. The participants would then have the opportunity to engage with the cast and crew and see the show.

Shaun Parker & Company is highly committed to community engagement and professional development and as such, the following opportunities can also be made available for the local dance community during touring of KING:

  • Open rehearsal (by negotiation with the presenters)
  • Q & A session with Shaun Parker
  • Local studio showing of Queer Bites mentees.
  • Longer term engagement - potential of showing Queer Bites mentees performances at the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Arts Festival.