OF FROGS 

A new performance work inspired by frogs and our waterways 

“…each musician becomes part of each instrument they encounter, allowing their bodies to become part of the sound making. I lean forward almost out of my seat to watch the water tip, swirl under the gentle hands of a musician.” – Megan Steller

A mesmerising performance springing from percussion, voice and shadow play, invoking the life cycle of frogs, forgotten waterways and lost springs, Of Frogs can be seen at Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre from 7 – 17 September.

Drawing on the interlocking rhythms of gamelan, bending pitch and time with water, three performers weave an aural and visual journey through a landscape of water and shadow, conjuring unseen worlds with sublime vocals and soaring soundscapes. 

Sandra Fiona Long and Ria Soemardjo are long term collaborators creating sound based performance experiences in Australia and Indonesia, crossing live performance, theatre, audio walks and international online collaborations. Their most recent work for stage was the critically acclaimed Hades Fading (Hades Memudar – with Mainteater, Asia TOPA 2020). 

Of Frogs draws on Ria’s lifelong fascination with the dynamic performing traditions of her Javanese background, and on the diverse music backgrounds of collaborating multi-instrumentalists Ron Reeves and Jeremy Dullard, who have developed distinctive and respected practices over many years, through rigorous training and immersion in rich cultural and musical traditions.

Utilising voice with percussion, libretto, water, objects & light, Of Frogs aims to acknowledge declining frog numbers & forgotten water ways existing underground in pipes, while creating an auditory & visual invitation into the hidden world of water through a contemporary ritual invoking restoration.

Of Frogs Presented by Darebin Arts Speakeasy
In association with Kath Papas Productions & FUSE, Darebin’s contemporary, multi-arts festival

7 – 17 September 2022

Wed to Sat 8pm I Sun 5pm I Sat 17 September 2pm
Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre
$35 Adult | $28 Conc. | $30 Darebin resident | $15 Blak Tix

Visit www.arts.darebin.vic.gov.au for bookings and further information.

Created by vocalist/musician Ria Soemardjo and writer/director Sandra Fiona Long with multi-instrumentalists Ron Reeves and Jeremy Dullard and lighting designer Emma Lockhart-Wilson. Produced by Kath Papas Productions.

Image by Darren Gill