In Difference

In Difference, a physical theatre piece, tells a story about sexuality, identity and equality. The four performers who are both real life couples; Kristina Chan and Timothy Ohl are a married couple, and Joshua Thomson and Craig Bary are a same sex couple. The performance involves small scenes or vignettes linked together based on the performers’ own experiences, their celebrations and their failings.

“I’m looking at the marriage equality debate and bringing to light some very personal issues as a gay man. Obviously being gay affects my lifestyle, the lack of equality between same sex partnerships. We’re using our personal experiences to explore the ideas and themes of the work,” explained Craig Bary, In Difference creator, director and performer.

“What makes In Difference unique is the fact that we are discussing prominent and very topical subject matter. It’s not often you see real life couples on stage opening their hearts up, offering up their personal lives like we do. It’s quite confronting but I think it will be engaging for the audience. We’re four very experienced performers, very experienced dance makers, we bring a lot of knowledge and performance experience. We’re mature artists at their peak. I think that’s often rare,” stated Bary.

“Dance is such a beautiful medium, you can be abstract and that allows an audience to bring their own personal experiences, their own history, whether you’re gay or straight, you can bring your own life into watching dance,” Bary concluded. (MS)

Mar 2–4, 8pm + 12.30pm Fri. Riverside Theatres, cnr Church and Market Streets, Parramatta. $28-$35. Tickets & info: www.riversideparramatta.com.au 

BY MEL SOMERVILLE