http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm4SSRnDZPg
Legendary New York performance artist Taylor Mac presents one hundred years of popular song in one glorious evening next Wednesday night at Lismore City Hall.
A flamboyant chameleon, Taylor Mac is best known for his words, music, and socio-political outbursts.
Made-up to the hilt and dressed to the nines, Mac takes us on a gender-bending journey into our collective past and takes a fanciful look at the future.
Taking a song from each decade of the 20th century, Mac’s performance is hilarious, satirical, enlightening and poignantly honest.
‘I believe theatre artists should be students of humanity,’ says Taylor Mac. ‘I am a mirror and each and every one of my audience members is both Snow White and the evil queen.
‘I believe the more personal risk I take in the work the more the audience will relate and see the whole of their humanity reflected back at them.
‘So, through art, I try to be as masculine, feminine, ugly, beautiful, intelligent, base, chaotic, graceful, joyful, sorrowful, perfect and flawed as I am in real life.
‘Most of all I believe theatre is community and think of myself as a community activist: someone whose job it is to bring people together, give them a shared experience and remind them of what it means to be human.’
‘Great performers tell us more about ourselves and society than we expect,’ says Julian Louis, NORPA’s artistic director, who invited Taylor Mac to the region as part of NORPA’s 2013 season.
‘Taylor Mac is a brave, irreverent, cross-dressing cabaret legend from New York… He should feel right at home in Lismore!’
Taylor Mac will be accompanied by his musical director, Matt Ray, on piano and a merry band of local musicians.
There will be prizes for ‘Best Fancy Dressed’ audience member, judged by Taylor Mac after the show, so shake out the sequins and have yourself a fabulous evening.
Taylor Mac the 20th Century Concert – An Abridged History Of Popular Music is here for one night only, Wednesday 14 August, 7.30pm at Lismore City Hall.
Tickets A $47 | S $42 | C $38 | U/18 $20
The show runs for 90 minutes (no interval), contains adult themes and is recommended for 15+ years.
Bookings: Tel 1300 066 772 or www.norpa.org.au
Taylor Mac seduces you, breaks your heart, patches it back up again and sews sequins along the scars. – THE IRISH TIMES
One of contemporary theatre’s more unforgettable performances. – NEW YORKER
