Pipedream - Blue Room Theatre

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Tue 01 Oct 2024 - Sat 19 Oct 2024

Rollins, B. (Lead Creative). (2024). Pipedream. [Theatre Production] Blue Room Theatre. Photo credit Sophie Minissale.

From award-winning choreographer Brent Rollins, comes Pipedream, a brand-new contemporary dance show about life in rural Australia during a severe drought. It was inspired by real-life stories from Australians who have lived through soul-crushing droughts. Pipedream premiered at the Blue Room Theatre on Tuesday, 1 October 2024. It stars Natassija Morrow and Sophie Sibbons as a couple struggling to make a living off the land during a drought that has gone on for 1,485 days and counting.


Rollins, B. (Lead Creative). (2024). Pipedream. [Theatre Production] Blue Room Theatre. Photo credit Sophie Minissale.

Pipedream felt very raw and stripped bare. It was a story of survival that had a lot of layers to it. There were some definite sapphic vibes between the two protagonists. There was a lot of emotional tension in the room. I liked how the show left a lot to the audience to decipher. The performers moved around the room, tracing lines on the ground, and giving each other long pointed stares. They performed interpretive dance moves that looked like they were hoeing the ground, or spreading seeds, or cutting grass. There were moments when the women looked like they were either fighting with each other or holding each other up during moments of emotional distress.


Rollins, B. (Lead Creative). (2024). Pipedream. [Theatre Production] Blue Room Theatre. Photo credit Sophie Minissale.

I really liked the use of symbolism in the show. There is a set of pipes that hangs over the performers and casts a looming shadow over them. When the pipes are full of water they represent hope and when they are bone dry they represent despair. As the drought worsens, the pipes lower over the women, causing them to fall to their knees and feel crushed beneath the weight of their dream. As the weather improves, the pipes slowly lift off their backs, allowing the women to stand up again and keep fighting to survive.


Rollins, B. (Lead Creative). (2024). Pipedream. [Theatre Production] Blue Room Theatre. Photo credit Sophie Minissale.

There was a sense of sadness in Pipedream that climate change has a had devastating impact on people who live off the land. The performers walked on lines on the ground that looked like parched, dried up river-beds and pointed fingers at each other in condemnation. My favourite moment in the show was when one of the performers tossed dirt on the ground from a bucket and then performed an emotional dance routine where they spread the dirt around. You could just feel the love that they had for working the Earth and helping things grow. The question that went unsaid was it still worth it trying to work the land… or is it all just a pipe dream?


Rollins, B. (Lead Creative). (2024). Pipedream. [Theatre Production] Blue Room Theatre. Photo credit Sophie Minissale.

Pipedream is currently showing at the Blue Room Theatre until Saturday, 19 October 2024. The show runs for 60 minutes and is suitable for people of all ages. It features haze and strobe lighting. Ticket prices are $32.00 for full price and $27.00 for concession. To book tickets for this show please visit https://blueroom.org.au

Marisa Quinn-Haisu was invited as a guest.

Summary: Pipedream is a contemporary dance show from award-winning choreographer Brent Rollins about the struggles of everyday Australians living through severe drought.
Cost Full price tickets $32.00, concession $27.00
Website: https://blueroom.org.au/events/pipedream/
When: Tuesday, 1 October to Saturday, 19 October 2024
Where:The Blue Room Theatre, 53 James Street Mall, Perth WA 6000
Running Time: 60 minutes
Audience: All ages.
More Theatre Reviews by Marisa
A Doll's House Part 2 by Lucas Hnath - Blue Room Theatre
GROUNDED: Fringe World 2017 - Review
The State - The Blue Room Theatre
Gal Pals - The Blue Room Theatre
Hell is Other People - The Blue Room Theatre
Where Water Once Was - The Blue Room Theatre
We'll Always Have Bali - The Blue Room Theatre
The Bleeding Tree - Blue Room Theatre
Borderline - The Blue Room Theatre
Watch and Act - The Blue Room Theatre

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