NORPA takes audiences

NORPA has announced the return of outside adventure production Wildskin in a night promising daring and joyous theatre.

The two-week season is billed as a sensory, destination-theatre experience, that is part bush-thriller and part road trip.

Wildskin is immersive, large-scale, site-specific theatre, with the action starting from arrival.

The darkly wild ride of immersive storytelling, physical theatre, laughter, and song tells of Eva, who believes the only way to mend her broken life is to go on the road solo.

Lost, alone, and underprepared, she soon reaches breaking point, flouting rules and embracing danger.

First performed in 2018, the show was hailed by Australian Stage as ‘a visual and emotional feast’.

Arts Hub called it ‘a vibrant work that’s part road movie, part horror movie, and an irresistible celebration of place’.

Director Julian Louis said he is delighted with the opportunities presented by Wildskin in 2024.

“This is a fantastic new beast, using an atmospheric location that perfectly lends itself to NORPA’s playful and physical storytelling style,” he said.

“We’re creating a whole experience and taking theatre into surprising places, pushing the form, and bringing audiences with us.”

“Every director relishes the chance to revisit a production – and as a creative team, we are reimagining and expanding on the vision from the 2018 production. We’re excited to draw on the natural atmosphere and the local female cast to take the storytelling to new heights.”

It’s a region-wide affair with a Wildskin chartered bus on Friday and Saturday nights.

For theatre lovers who don’t fancy the drive, the bus departs from Ballina and Byron Bay, with stops in Alstonville, Wollongbar, Bangalow and Clunes.

Tickets are $30 for the return trip and drink on arrival.

Camping at Lismore Showgrounds is also available for limited nights for $25 through Lismore Showgrounds.

Wildskin by NORPA runs from September 12-28, with an Auslan-interpreted performance on Saturday, 28. For information and bookings, visit norpa.org.au