A high-octane exploration of our relationship to climate change and the female body.

OIL BABIES repositions our lives as one on the precipice of a planet dramatically changing… perhaps even the moment before our own extinction. It weighs up our continued “hope-investment” in procreation against our feelings of helplessness at the state of the planet – and our role in its demise.

Throughout this piece, the body – in particular women’s bodies – are used as a metaphor to explore our world: our need to control it, our desire to want it to look and be a certain way and, ultimately, our lack of respect for it.

Written and directed by Petra Kalive (Hungry Ghosts and Melbourne Talam, MTC) and featuring an all-female cast, OIL BABIES blends lyrical, rapid-fire text with poetic imagery and domestic drama to present a dangerous, pithy and at times darkly comedic work that speaks directly to the concerns we hold now.

OIL BABIES is the latest work to be presented by Lab Kelpie, a not for profit theatre company dedicated to developing, presenting and touring new Australian work.

View the promo video: labkelpie.com/oil-babies

CAST & CREATIVES

Writer & Director: Petra Kalive

Performers: Kali Hulme, Jodie Le Vesconte and Fiona Macleod

Movement Director: Xanthe Beesley

Assistant Director: Lyall Brooks

Set & Costume Design: Andrew Bailey

Sound Design & Compositions: Darius Kedros

Lighting Design: Lisa Mibus

Producer: Adam Fawcett

Presenters: Lab Kelpie & Darebin Arts Speakeasy

Photography: Sarah Walker