A Neat Little Life by Matty Barker

Presented as part of the VCA Master of Theatre (Writing) Festival 2024

Jolop, Bonto and Fleegal, a group of alien creatures live out their lives together. Hear the way they speak, experience their customs and see their physical and psychological evolution. Alongside this, in a universe not far away, hear queer coming of age stories from earth. This production explores queer relationships, milestones and the way we experience grief.

Content Warnings: Nudity, Explicit language, Sexual references

Credits

Director: Karina White
Dramaturg: James Burchett

About the writer

Matty Barker is a writer, actor, and musician from Adelaide, South Australia. He studied acting at Flinders University, earning a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama). His play 'The Fish Bowl' won both the "Best SA Theatre & Physical Theatre Award" and the "Holden Street Theatre Award" at the 2022 Adelaide Fringe. The production later toured regional South Australia, New South Wales, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Barker collaborated with Post Dining to develop their immersive productions, 'Eating Tomorrow' (winner of the Sustainability Award, Adelaide Fringe 2021) and 'Brag Drunch' (Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2023).

He writes music in collaboration with Ukulele Death Squad, which won the SA Music Award's People’s Choice (Folk) in 2019, 2022, and 2023. Barker co-created and starred in the music video for his band, Ukulele Death Squad, titled 'Hand's Tied'. The video is going to be featured in the Melbourne Queer Film Festival and the MiX International Festival of LGBTQ+ Cinema and Queer Culture in Milan, Italy.

Acknowledgements

The work is made on Naarm the land of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong Boon Wurrung Peoples of the Eastern Kulin. This play is made with verbatim stories from people living on Kaurna land and Naarm. Thank you to the Masters of Theatre (Writing) class for constant inspiration. Thank you to University of Melbourne lecturers Raimondo Cortese and Emily Sheehan. Thank you to Karina and the actors for bringing the work to life. Thank you to James for your ongoing guidance. Thank you to the Barker/Kwenda family for always finding new and creative ways to support.

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Ticket Prices

Free, registrations required on Humanitix

Run time

This reading will run for approximately 110 minutes.

Venue

This reading takes place in Studio 4, location in the Dodds Street Performing Arts Building which is accessible via paths in the new Dodds Street Linear Park.
Please meet Front of House in the foyer on the ground floor of the Dodds Street Performing Arts Building, Studio 4 is then accessible via the stairs or lift.

Parking

The City of Melbourne has recently changed the parking restrictions around the Southbank Campus. Parking control hours are now expanded to 7am–10pm, seven days per week, and are capped at three hours. A $2-per-hour fee after 7pm is also now in place. There is no change to the $4-per-hour peak rate between 7am–7pm. Parking inspectors are regularly in the area fining drivers who overstay their meter, so we encourage everyone to be aware and avoid an expensive fine. More information.

Accessibility

Click on the accessibility button at the top of this page for detailed information on accessibility in the venue. Please note any requirements that you and your guests may have when prompted at checkout. To read more about access services available at our venues, please visit: https://finearts-music.unimelb.edu.au/access-our-events.

Important Information

As this is a new devised work, content warnings may be updated closer to the performances. Audiences will be made aware of updated warnings in their event reminder.
Please stay home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms. Face masks are welcome in all settings for community and personal safety.
In order to account for drop-off in attendance, we overbook a select number of free events at the Faculty. If you have not arrived by the start of the performance, your ticket may be released to any waiting patrons at the door. Please arrive at the venue at least 15 minutes before the performance to secure your seat.
Admission to any of our concerts and events is strictly at the discretion of Front of House. We have zero tolerance for any disrespectful behaviour.

Banner: Image by Zayn Ulfan, 2024.