clare mendes & melbourne writers’ theatre present
by clare mendes
Skating In The Clouds
4 - 14 DECEMBER | THEATRE WORKS
Skating In The Clouds
VENUE
by clare mendes
Summer and Autumn are in love, but there’s a problem in their love nest. Spanner in hand, Autumn roams the house looking for a drip she can’t see while Summer plans a spectacular skating party. But there are cracks emerging in their relationship, puddles appearing on the floor and tough questions that need to be asked. Like what if Penny Wong can’t skate, or Julia Gillard doesn’t like the ornamental ice swan? And why is there a glacier shimmering above their St Kilda chimney?
A modern fairytale that begins with salsa, pirouettes into the clouds and ends on a snow-capped mountain, Skating in the Clouds is a new play by Melbourne playwright Clare Mendes and the latest production from Melbourne Writers’ Theatre, the playwriting organisation taking new scripts from page to stage since 1982. The recipient of a Malcolm Robertson Foundation grant, Skating in the Clouds draws audiences into the beautiful, intricate relationship of Summer and Autumn – with its romance, arguments and dancing – then takes you on their ride. A dual celebration of female love and love for the planet, Skating in the Clouds also celebrates the remarkable contribution of Women to both realms. Finally, girls, a play written for Us! 70 minutes
Theatre Works
14 Acland Street, St Kilda
DURATION
70 Minutes
WARNINGS
Adults 18+ | Intimacy, Themes of depression, anxiety, self-harm, Climate change, Haze, Strobe
ACCESSIBILITY
Theatre Works is a wheelchair accessible venue. A full access guide will be available closer to the date.
DATES + TIMES
Wednesday 4 December - 7:30pm
Thursday 5 December - 7:30pm
Friday 6 December - 7:30pm
Saturday 7 December - 7:30pm
Tuesday 10 December - 7:30pm
Wednesday 11 December - 7:30pm
Thursday 12 December - 7:30pm
Friday 13 December - 7:30pm
Saturday 14 December - 7:30pm
Theatre Works has a lockout policy for latecomers. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to ensure you don't miss out.
Refunds will not be issued to latecomers.
TICKETS
FULL PRICE
$45.00
CONCESSION*
$35.00
PREVIEW
$28.00
20 at $20**
$20.00
MOB TIX
$20.00
*Seniors, Student, MEAA, Health Care and Low Income card holders
**Limited to 20 tickets per performance
Our AT THEATRE WORKS program is for artists, companies or works that align with some but not all of our values as an organisation. We co-present these works with the independent artists and organisations. Works within this programming stream receive marketing support, technical support, free venue use and a generous box office split but largely we give them the keys and get out of their way.
CREDITS
WRITER
Clare Mendes
DIRECTOR
Emily Farrell
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Ellie Nielsen
PERFORMED BY
Rebecca Morton
Faran Martin
Shamita Sivabalan
El Kiley
SOUND DESIGNER
Sharyn Brand
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Natalia Velasco Moreno
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Barbara Yazbeck
MOVEMENT COORDINATOR
Lucy Payne
PRODUCER
Clare Mendes
DRAMATURGE
Elizabeth Walley
PHOTOGRAPHER
Anna Moloney-Heath
PUBLICIST
Sassy Red
MEET THE ARTIST -
CLARE MENDES
Born in 1967, Clare wrote advertisements, radio plays, novels and Neighbours scripts before becoming a playwright. The Agreement, her first play, premiered at La Mama Courthouse in October 2015 and Trash Goes Down The River was performed at Bluestone Church Arts Space in June 2017. A Flower for Moses was presented at Gasworks Arts Park in May 2021. Clare finished writing Skating in the Clouds in June 2023 and is immensely excited about its 2024 production at Theatre Works. The Company Manager of Melbourne Writers’ Theatre, Clare loves superb fairy wrens, poetry, boxing, and nudging her audiences towards new thinking.
