Hot Cult — The SUI Ensemble

Overview

When you spy the cast of The SUI Ensemble's latest show all wearing the same outfits, don't be alarmed. Actually, getting a little weirded out over a group of folks donning platinum blonde wigs, black turtlenecks and a you-can-do-anything attitude is okay. They promise they'll soothe your fears and generally cure all that ails you, though. Just listen to their voices, do what they say, and prepare to say goodbye to stress and pain.

Welcome to Hot Cult, the Anywhere Theatre Festival show that doesn't just explore the realm of charismatic sales pitches and motivational talks — it immerses you in it. Turning the East Brisbane Bowls Club into their headquarters from May 11 to 14 and again across May 18 to 21, this group of go-getters have an array of challenges in store for participants.

Given that The SUI Ensemble are known for getting their audiences involved, consider yourself warned: when you sign up, you're not just opting to sit and passively watch. But, like cults do, they're not going to be overt about it. "It's all about seeing how that can be done without the audience even being aware of it," says director Esther Dougherty.