A 24-Decade History of Popular Music
Taylor Mac, Pomegranate Arts and Nature's Darlings
Forum Theatre
www.festival.melbourne
 |
| Taylor Mac. Photo by Sarah Walker |
It's been two weeks and we're still talking about Taylor Mac's A 24-Decade History of Popular Music.
A friend said it was like the week after Christmas when you're a child: a week where you're drifting and not sure what to do because the best day is over.
 |
| Taylor Mac in Melbourne. Photo by Sarah Walker |
More reviews have been published and, if reviewers talking to each other on Facebook is anything to go by, we're still in the post-show haze of tears, glitter and determination to make that world we lived in for 24 hours, the world that we live in.
 |
| Machine Dazzle & Taylor Mac. Photo by Sarah Walker |
I keep remembering bits I'd forgotten – the Alphabet song with a determined "zed", singing "Love will tear us apart", an audience member talking about the club Connections in Perth – and wondering how 24 hours of work could be so consistently astonishing.
 |
| Taylor Mac. Photo by Sarah Walker |
Our go-to critic adjectives feel inadequate; they can't describe the complexity and what it's like to have your heart and brain squeezed in the ways you've dreamed of.
It was like falling in love – that warm swirl of adrenalin, hope and confidence that lets you know that you're flippin' awesome – without any of the fear and doubt.
 |
| Photo by Sarah Walker |
And those smiles. Hundreds of people smiling the smile that's usually reserved for "I've been fucked so well that you couldn't wipe the smile off my face if I were run over by a bus right now."
 |
| Photo by Sarah Walker |
Smiles from people who have all felt like the freak in the room. Smiles from people who have hidden who they are because it's easier or safer.
I was slow dancing with a stranger at The Wrap closing party and had to stop (only for a moment) and say "look around this room".
 |
| Tigger & Taylor Mac. Photo by Sarah Walker |
Here are the media reactions. If I've missed some, message me and I'll link them in. (And any excuse for some more of Sarah Walker's photos and Machine Dazzle's costumes.)
Rose Johnson in Time Out.
Maxim Boon in The Music.
Cameron Woodhead in The Age.
 |
| Taylor Mac. Photo by Sarah Walker |
Chris Boyd in The Australian.
Richard Watts in Arts Hub.
Bradley Storer in Theatre Press.
Sarah Walker (who took the amazing photos) on her blog.
Me, here. I, II, III, IV.
 |
| Machine Dazzle & Taylor Mac. Photo by Sarah Walker |
Chapters and The Inauguration
Melbourne Critique
Chapter 1: Opera Chaser (and Herald Sun)
Chapter III: Herald Sun
Australian Stage
Limelight
The Conversation
 |
| Matt Ray & Taylor Mac. Photo by Sarah Walker |
And I have a new batch of #QueerGrannySquares ready for anyone who wants one.
