Newcastle-born theatre artist Janie Gibson is no stranger to the stage.
An actor, theatre-maker, director and teaching artist, she has been using the medium to connect with communities for much of her adult life.
After 15 years of performing before sell-out crowds in theatres in Sydney, Poland, America and Scotland, the founder of Whale Chorus is bringing her Voices of Joan to the city’s New Annual festival this September.
The solo performance is a 90-minute tribute to Joan of Arc.
In a radical retelling of a moment in history, Gibson will explore themes of courage, failure and finding inner strength in the face of adversity.
By searching for Joan’s story in fragments of words throughout history, words spoken at her trial, translated in textbooks, imagined in poetry and illuminated in drama, she will transform New Lambton Community Centre into a creative powerhouse.
With irreverent humour and multiple onstage costume changes she promises to transform into the multitudinous voices of Joan, tumbling through an ancient story that continues to reverberate with audiences today.
“We are so excited to finally be bringing this work to Newcastle,” she says.
“We have performed seasons in Spain, Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney.
“This season at the New Annual festival is a long-awaited Newcastle premiere and I can’t wait to share it with local audiences and offer them a renewed experience of an iconic New Lambton venue.”
Voices of Joan is directed by Finnish artist Anu Almagro.
Together they have developed the international collaboration within experimental theatre laboratories in Poland.
New Annual will run from Friday 22 September to Saturday 1 October.
The 2023 program includes aerial artists, a percussion performance featuring 100 local drummers, visual arts, music, dance and theatre.
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