BARGAIN GARDEN

‘Why do we consume so much?’ is the central question posed in the latest performance piece by Theatre Kantanka (Missing the Bus to David Jones). Inspired by the phenomenon of the two‐dollar shop, audiences can expect to see a production that fuses performance, kinetic sculptures, multimedia installation and live music by award‐winning contemporary music collective Ensemble Offspring. I caught up with the show’s performer and key deviser Carlos Gomes. “We are wired to become a consumer and the whole economy is based around material things. It’s quite scary,” he says. “Bargain Garden is about our relationship with the material and how we create our own identity by having it.” Developed through residencies at Performance Space and Bundandon Trust, he describes the show as alluring, toxic and apocalyptic. Theatre Kantanka has created a surreal space where audiences are invited to walk around the stage. “They don’t have to stay in one spot,” he explains. “We wanted to create a landscape that is alluring and inviting but behind that is threatening and dangerous. I hope audiences can be seduced and then afterward will reflect and take actions on what we are doing.”

Nov 1-15, CarriageWorks, 245 Wilson Street Eveleigh, $15-$30, 8571 9112, carriageworks.com.au