The Mysteries of the Convent
This theatricalised, night-time, walking tour of the Abbotsford Convent formed a popular, annual event 2006-2008. Originally inspired by late nights working in the convent building the site-specific performance draws on history, memory and the mythology of a place.
The performance was refined and redeveloped each season 2006-08. Contributing artists included:
Melinda Hetzel, Angela Orrego, Nick Barlow, Robyn McMicking, Fiona Gillies, Simon Abrahams, Delia Poon, Juanita Pope, Henriette Miller, Ben Chessell, Michal Imielski, Steph O’Hara, Pia Johnson, Richard Chambers, Simon Dargaville, Lauren Simmonds
‘Its inhabitants are, as the man once said, ‘Whores, pimps, gamblers and sons of bitches,’ by which he meant everybody. Had the man looked through another peephole he might have said, ‘Saints and angels and martyrs and holy men,’ and he would have meant the same thing.’
John Steinbeck, Cannery Row, 1945
Photos: Pia Johnson
Performance History:
9-13 August 2006, Abbotsford Convent
20 May – 10 June 2007, Abbotsford Convent
25 September – 5 October 2008, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Abbotsford Convent
Reviews for Mysteries of the Convent ’08:
“Mysteries of the Convent is one of those rare shows that will stay with you for days afterwards.” (Zoe Marron, BEAT magazine)
“Peepshow Inc takes us out of the theatre into a world made theatrical. Mysteries of the Convent ’08 is gorgeous, delicate and inspiring.” (Anne-Marie Peard, Aussie Theatre online)
“…a fine out-of-theatre experience” (Tim Richards, The Age)
“Peepshow Inc are known for works that challenge and provoke whilst also entertaining and enchanting audiences with both the beautiful and the grotesque.” (Jan Chandler, Australian Stage Online)
“There were moments of sweeping beauty, one sequence with a revealed overhead projection that used water to effect it was transformative.” (Martyn Coutts)
“…the masterfully subtle control of attention exercised by… Peepshow Inc’s The Mysteries of the Convent (2008)…” (John Bailey, RealTime issue #89 Feb-March 2009 pg. 12)
“This is simply one of the most exhilarating, magical and haunting theatre experiences I’ve had in a long time.” (Lisa Clark, thegroggysquirrel.com)