Superheroes, electronica, comic books, gaming and punk rock, My Radio Heart is a love letter to the digital age.
Inspired by X-Men, video games and our obsession with the online world, My Radio Heart combines contemporary pop with large-scale digital projection to tell stories of love, loss and wanting to connect.
Director Rosie Dennis has been part of the re-imagining of the upcoming production of My Radio Heart, a show that brings together Sydney’s Urban Theatre Projects, NORPA and Performing Lines.
Rosie, what was the reaction to the original production of My Radio Heart?
The premiere of My Radio Heart was really well received in both Lismore and Sydney. People really loved the visual environment we created and, of course, the music.
How did you pull it together? What was the underlying vision/inspiration?
The initial work was born out of an idea that Tralala Blip had about trying to find love in a world of routine. So I used that as a starting point. Then, through a series of improvisations and lots of conversation I got to know the performers. From there we developed characters and and then developed the story in relation to the characters.
Can you tell me how you are ‘re-imagining’ My Radio Heart this time around?
This re-designed version is still a love story, and still plays between the real and virtual worlds so that’s quite close to the original version. There are new songs and some new video footage and a couple of the characters have been modified. The work is now a single-channel video projection and the visuals are beautiful.
Who are the players?
Lydian – The Romantic; Zac – The Seeker; Claudie– The Keeper of memories; Randolf – The Caretaker; Phoebe – Lydian’s love; Matt – The Professor.
Can you give me a brief synopsis of the show?
The show is a love story, set across three different worlds/times.
There’s the real-time world in which we meet Matt on stage. Then there’s the world that Mat creates, which is pixel driven and includes four Avatars.
Then there is a third world that is accessed through virtual reality goggles and is more fantastical. It is in this world where Lydian finds love and where we meet some of the other characters outside their usual environment.
How about the rehearsal process; how long do you have to make this happen?
For the re-design we will be spending six days prior to the show on Saturday.
What can audiences expect this time round?
If you loved My Radio Heart the first time round, then you’ll enjoy the tweaks we’ve made. The overall show is more upbeat and playful, while still keeping true to the themes of the original.
My Radio Heart. Saturday 20 August, 6pm. $25 adult, $18 concession, groups & under 18.
NORPA at Lismore City Hall.
Bookings: www.norpa.org.au or 1300 066 772. Duration: 50 minutes, suitable for 14+, companion card welcome.
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