Presented as part of BrisAsia Festival, a host of international performers welcome audiences to Cargo Club, an immersive experience exploring global themes and personal experiences. Spoken word, ancient ritual, live art, and cool tunes come together as artists tell their stories, unpacking their own ‘cargo’ in a true cultural melting pot.
A joint collaboration between the Centre for Australasian Theatre and West Java’s Darahrouge, Cargo Club’s performers hail from all over the world, and the show itself features twenty different languages. Artists present cultural experiences, both personal and historical, through a variety of mediums, alternating between working with other performers and vying for the audience’s attention.
As the night progresses, the ‘cargo’ of Cargo Club comes to mean so many things, encompassing the personal and cultural baggage of each performer and the story they have to tell, and the end result is both powerful and puzzling, breaking all the rules of traditional theatre. It’s a night of sensory immersion, as your gaze moves quickly around the space trying to take in as many competing sights and sounds as possible, and there’s both beauty and sadness to be found in this cultural chaos. Don’t be surprised if it takes a little while for things to sink in, or for other people sitting in the room to have taken something very different away from the experience!
Taking over the Sue Bremner theatre at Brisbane’s Metro Arts, the team have created a truly unique space, packed with art pieces that work both as backdrops and props, and seating audiences in a variety of locations around the room. Audience members walk through performers on their way to the theatre and are similarly encouraged to move around and explore throughout the performance, taking photos of art and artists alike. It’s as much an art exhibition as it is a theatrical performance, and it’s a creative decision that does credit both to the underground cabaret club atmosphere of Cargo Club and to the politically and emotionally charged performances.
For me, the show prompted much discussion on diversity, inclusiveness and the realities of a multicultural Australia – both positive and negative. But, of course, that’s just what I got from it. With so much going on, the onus is on the audience to really find their own meaning in this vibrant and exciting clash of cultures, so grab a glass of wine and get exploring. Find the performers, the art, and the stories that speak to you, and don’t be afraid to take a picture or two!
Cargo Club will be at Brisbane’s Metro Arts until February 18th.
Tickets are available through the Metro Arts website.
The reviewer attended the opening night performance on February 2nd.
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