Holding Achilles
The other half of the legend.
Set against the epic violence of the Trojan War, Holding Achilles by David Morton is a refreshing take on one of the ancient world’s best-known heroes, and his relationship with Patroclus, his not so well-known lover. As a young exile taken in by Achilles’ father, Patroclus faces hostility from the young hero until they are thrust together to train under the centaur Chiron, and the two form an unlikely friendship. As Achilles doggedly seeks to fulfil his mother’s prophecy to become a legend, their relationship becomes something more. But war with Troy is brewing, and the two young men find themselves caught between their hopes for a future together and the brutal realities of the world that faces them.
This breathtaking new production from visual theatre masterminds Dead Puppet Society and physical theatre virtuosos Legs On The Wall reclaims the queer aspects of The Iliad. Set to a haunting new score composed by Tony Buchen and Chris Bear with Montaigne, and a live performance by Montaigne, this innovative new work blends heightened physicality and visual storytelling with an ensemble cast to weave a legend of mythic proportions. A tale of trials, grief and love - Holding Achilles is an epic tale about a fearless bond forged in the toughest of times.
By David Morton.
Presented by Brisbane Festival, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Glass Half Full Productions, Dead Puppet Society and Legs On The Wall, 29 August - 10 September 2022.
2022 performance dates
Monday 29 August, 7.30pm (Preview)
Tuesday 30 August, 7.30pm (Preview)
Wednesday 31 August. 7.30pm (Preview)
Thursday 1 September, 7.30pm (Preview)
Friday 2 September, 7.30pm
Saturday 3 September 7.30pm
Tuesday 6 September, 6.30pm
Wednesday 7 September, 11am & 6.30pm
Thursday 8 September, 7.30pm
Friday 9 September, 7.30pm
Saturday 10 September, 1pm & 7.30pm
Tickets on sale now. Book here
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government's Major Festivals Initiative, managed by the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals Inc., commissioned by Brisbane Festival, Sydney Festival and Glass Half Full Productions together with Bristol Old Vic and Northampton Royal and Derngate in the UK.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. It is also supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
Director and Co-Creator David Morton
Movement Director and Co-Creator Joshua Thomson
Creative Producer Nicholas Paine
Music by Tony Buchen and Chris Bear with Montaigne
Music performed live by Montaigne
Co-Designers (set) Anna Cordingley and David Morton
Designer (costume) Anna Cordingley
Lighting Design Ben Hughes
Sound Design Tony Brumpton
Rigging Design David Jackson
Puppet Design Dead Puppet Society
Dramaturg Louise Gough
Associate Director Matt Seery
Associate Producers James Beach and Lauren Eisinger
Technical Director Scott Barton
Head Rigger Byron Cleasby
Head of Fabrication Savannah Mojidi
Counterweight Johnas Liu
Production Stage Manager Lindsey Knight
Deputy Stage Manager Nicole Neil
Cast Stephen Madsen, Karl Richmond, Ellen Bailey, John Batchelor, Lauren Jackson, Thomas Larkin, Nic Prior, Christy Tran, Jennifer Vuletic
Education Notes
Click here to download the Education Notes for Holding Achilles, which include a range of activities to be used in the classroom both before and after the show. Inside you’ll find lots of practical and written activities that you can use and adapt for your students.
Estimated running time
Two and a half hours including 20 minute interval
Suitability
Grades 9 – 12
Warnings
This play contains mature themes (multiple references to acts of attempted suicide), theatrical effects including haze, smoke, blood, loud music and strobe lighting. Moments of dead black out.
Themes
Love
Relationships
Identity
Fate
Responsibility Redemption
Honour
Pride
Legacy
Masculinity
Secrets
Loss
Family
War
Worth
Sacrifice
Gender
Subject areas
Drama, English, Film, Television and New Media and Media Arts
Dramatic Form and Style
Contemporary theatre
Design-led theatre
Visual theatre including puppetry
Physical theatre
Cinematic theatre
Dramatic Conventions
Openness of form
Appropriation
Hybridity
Contemporary music
Acrobatics
Heightened physicality
Physical metaphor
Poetic image
Ensemble movement
Fragmentation
Live music
Symbolic set
Transformation of gender
Motif
Symbolic prop
Symbolic set
Minimalistic set
Puppetry
Montage
Mediatised performance
Movement sequence
Stylised movement
Stage combat
Aerial movement