Beneath the Music

Performing Lines WA on behalf of Encounter

A tale of a mother and son's journey of acceptance and understanding, this poetic physical theatre work celebrates gender fluidity and queerness across generations and cultures.

Beneath the Music is an exploration of the journey from resistance to acceptance of queerness, especially by those we hold dear. Created by Jay Emmanuel and written by Karthika Naïr, this poetic physical theatre work is a celebration of gender fluidity and queerness across generations, traditions, and cultures.

Keshav and his husband start a new life in Australia, but when Keshav’s mother asks for his help in India, he must confront her disapproval of who he is and the life he has chosen. A surprise encounter with an ancient festival and a traditional Indian story help mother and son on the road to love’s acknowledgment and acceptance.

Partly drawn from French-Indian poet Karthika Naïr’s award-winning book Until the Lions, Beneath the Music looks at this Indian classic through queer eyes to uncover and celebrate different cultural and generational ideas of gender, sexuality, and intimacy. A work that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt they are living in two world

Reviews

“A very different and moving piece of theatre, Beneath the Music, easily holds its audience for its 75-minute duration. A thoughtful, engrossing, and engaging production.”

Stage Whispers

“Beneath the Music is an elegant and moving story of familial redemption.”

Limelight Magazine

“I loved the actors deliverance of the whole story, the music, the cultural references, everything was awesome and I enjoyed every minute of watching it.”

Audience feedback

Technical

Venue Format
Black box

Artforms

Circus and Physical Theatre
Interdisciplinary or Hybrid

Audience

Adults - General
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse People
LGBTQIA+ People
Men
People in Regional/Remote Areas
Women
Young Adults

Costs

Remount Cost: $20k +

Weekly Fee: $20k +

Per Performance Fee: To be determined

Royalties: 10%

Company Contacts

Contact Name:

Jeremy

Smith

Email: jeremy@performinglineswa.org.au

Phone: 0498 060 738

Company Bio

Performing Lines (PL) has 40 years' experience developing, producing and touring contemporary work nationally and internationally. We curate a portfolio of work propelled by pressing questions and new ways of seeing the world. PL champion the unconventional, the marginal, the rebellious and the new, to ensure the breadth and plurality of this country's creative potential is represented. PL has teams in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Hobart, with a network of producers and presenters around the country and the world.

Encounter is a new independent theatre company working at the intersection of contemporary performance and community-engaged practice. We connect people through imaginative storytelling that embrace diversity, identity and belonging. Encounter "makes invisible stories visible" by increasing the representation of marginalised voices and stories from across the spectrum of contemporary Australia. Performing Lines WA: https://www.performinglines.org.au/ Encounter: https://www.encountertheatre.com

Company Website

https://www.circuitwest.com.au/production/beneath-the-music/

Resources

Marketing Pack

In proud partnership with:

CircuitWest acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Country on which we live and work across Western Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Beneath the Music

Technical

In proud partnership with:

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