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The theatre floats above the water, as the visitor enters underneath. The long procession is disrupted by the rhythmic arrangement of the lanterns, which provides refuge from the structure.

PERFORM! (lightly)

Located above Fitzroy Dock on Sydney's Cockatoo Island, 'PERFORM! (lightly)' hangs above the water as a floating theatre. With emphasis on the relationship between structure and architecture, the theatre navigates the meaning of performance - revealing hidden structural elements intrinsic to the theatre typology. The visitor arrives by ferry, with the underbelly of the building exposed. Rhythmic 'lanterns' divide the spaces, providing opportunity for refuge within the intense experience of reflection that theatre performance invites. The two theatres, a main auditorium and a more intimate 'theatre in the round' reflect the conflict between face value and moral intentions of performance.

The ferry arrives, patrolling down the old dry dock, before visitors disembark and ascend into the floating structure.

The ferry arrives, patrolling down the old dry dock, before visitors disembark and ascend into the floating structure.

Each lantern becomes a habitable meeting place, amplifying the liminal nature of the theatre - suspended.

Each lantern becomes a habitable meeting place, amplifying the liminal nature of the theatre - suspended.

The long, processional corridor becomes a highly sensory experience, through playful light interventions and curtain barriers.

The long, processional corridor becomes a highly sensory experience, through playful light interventions and curtain barriers.

The large theatre stage is separated by only curtains, allowing the backstage to be revealed at any time - or light to enter, illuminating the space between.

The large theatre stage is separated by only curtains, allowing the backstage to be revealed at any time - or light to enter, illuminating the space between.

Theatre Plan

Theatre Plan