Cirrus@Austlit

'Inspired by Facebook swap groups, playwright Katie Pollock delivers a funny and powerful monologue about the patriarchy, trading sex toys, women of a certain age and the drive for connection.

'Part stand-up, part take-down of capitalism, part wannabe dancing dildo musical, this one-woman play is a celebration of resilience, humour... and sex toys!

'Through an intricate web of objects and a drive for community and connection, the members of Facebook group Rough Trade Sydney are giving the giant middle finger to capitalism, with trades that are funny, sexy, strange and touching.

'Inspired by these true stories, playwright Katie Pollock peels back the layers to reveal a character for whom life has taken a series of wrong turns, leaving her in a place where she is dependent on this internet community for her very survival.

'A thrilling (and sometimes terrifying) examination of the ways capitalism and the patriarchy fail us, and the precarious position all women risk finding themselves in, Rough Trade is ultimately a story of hope in challenging times. For lovers of Fleabag, Hacks, Better Things or Mom... if life gives you lemons, trade ’em for something sweeter!

'This project has been made possible through the assistance of the City of Sydney, Inner West Council, and Sydney Fringe Festival’s Art in Isolation.

'This is a Made in Sydney event, co-produced with Sydney Fringe Festival.' (Production summary)

'An urban detective story in which the investigator is a teenage girl and the body is her own.

'Poppy has developed a tick. A twitch. A spasm. It spreads through her body, then her group of school friends and before long, the whole town. Nobody can explain it, but as the disease spreads, the community begins to fracture along lines that turn into deep fissures. Who or what is to blame? And how are they going to fix it?

'Inspired by the true story of ‘the town that caught tourettes’, this play is dark, provocative and theatrically inventive.'

Source: Old 505 Theatre.

'A young woman finds herself in a state of perpetual motion. Setting out on a freewheeling journey to an unknown destination, she begins a worldwide search for place, meaning, memory, family connections, love and self. Battling herself and the threads that bind her to home, as well as the multiple choices offered by the whirling world, she comes face to face with characters who divert, confront and entice her.' (Production summary)

A young man refugee attempting to smuggle himself into Australia falls from the wheel of a descending aircraft into a suburban street.

'What will we remember about the 43rd Parliament of Australia? That it was supposed to be about us – but was it really just about them?

'As the election nears, this verbatim play will take the words of Hansard, the factual record of what our MPs say in parliament, to relive the highs and lows, the `ayes’ and `nays’ of our national discourse.

'In the tradition of The Vagina Monologues, 'The Hansard Monologues: A Matter of Public Importance' will let our MPs speak for themselves.

'This is the story of how our country makes itself, over and over again. It’s about us.' (Source: Seymour Centre website)

'Everyone needs a challenge. A birth, a summit and a knock-out win should see the three members of one troubled family celebrating, but success isn't all it's cracked up to be.

'O is for Oxygen pits a painter, a climber and a boxer against a world trying to suffocate them. That perfect moment is just around the corner ... the most exquisite colour, the rarest air on earth, or the knowledge that you're unbeatable. Each of them has to find a means to achieve their goal or else face reality and learn to accept defeat.

'But the baby is crying, the world won't stop turning and a wife is dying. How can they live in this world and still find a way to breathe?'

Source: ABC Radio National's Airplay website: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/airplay/
Sighted: 28 September 2009.