RICERCAR - Theatre Works

Overview

Art, theatre, mathematics and opera combine in an eclectic, electric new work opening at Theatre Works in St Kilda. RICERCAR is the brainchild of Present Tense Ensemble's Nathan Gilkes and Bryce Ives, who've recruited pop violin and drums duo The Twoks, instrumentalist Rosie Westbrook, visual artist Jennifer Tran, actors Laura Burzacott and Daniel Han, and opera singers Shauntai Batzke and Simon Gilkes. You'd never guess it was inspired by the genius of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Running from Tuesday, November 24 until Saturday, December 12, everything in RICERCAR — from the music to the choreography — is inspired by mathematical loops and patterns. Gilkes and Ives took this idea from Bach's six voiced fugue entitled Ricercar a6, which the composer created in response to a challenge from Frederick the Great. Whether RICERCAR lives up to the pedigree, you'll have to wait and see.