Listening Acts review | Melbourne Recital Centre

Chamber Made have long been shaking up Melbourne’s performing arts scene, constantly challenging and surprising audiences with what live art can entail, particularly in the realms of music, sound, and contemporary performance. Their latest project, Listening Acts, was a series of works - some live, some recorded - that reshape how we respond to aural experiences and technology, and how these elements connect to memory and identity. The three live performances in this program each carve out a distinct realm, yet together, they form a fluid, thought-provoking journey through acoustic textures that pushes the boundaries between audience and performance.

Aviva Endean's Tactile Piece for Human Ears is an exquisite meditation on sound and perception. Three binaural dummy heads, equipped with microphones, “hear” audio created via the custom ‘Hear Muffs’ that twist and transform the way we normally process sounds. These altered waves are then streamed directly to each audience member’s Bluetooth headphones. In the opening moments, Endean covers the dummy head’s ears, and the resulting noise feels like I'm rushing through the sky with the wind blowing in my face. It presents an invitation to enter with a clean slate and simply exist in the present as Endean interacts with the heads, generating a variety of sounds.

Sick review | NICA

Mention the word hospital or being sick and the memories that most people will have will be negative. But NICA's third year students from the Bachelor of Circus Arts are here to change that with their final showcase performance, SICK. Directed by Gavin Marshall, the show is inspired by Marshall's two month hospital stay where doctors tried to determine why his body was falling apart on him.

With this personal experience, Marshall captures the mundaneness, the ridiculousness and the gravity of hospital life. Taking place over 24 hours at St. Nowhere Hospital, the show opens with a number of patients passing time in the waiting room as they keep themselves occupied. On the other side of this wall we observe doctors and nurses in the staff room, tired, overworked and hurriedly getting themselves prepared for the onslaught of what is behind those doors.

Happy-Go-Wrong | Melbourne Fringe Festival interview

It's true, life is what happens to your while you're busy making other plans. Melbourne performer, Andi Snelling, was living an active life with numerous acting projects constantly on the go. However, her life changed drastically in 2014 when she was bitten by a tick. Her return season of Happy-Go-Wrong for this year's Melbourne Fringe Festival is a comical yet candid look at her subsequent diagnosis of Lyme disease and what it's like to be battling with a chronic invisible illness.

Opening up about something as personal and contentious as Lyme disease has involved dealing with a number of obstacles along the way for Snelling. "The most difficult aspect of making Happy-Go-Wrong content-wise has been deciding how much of the specifics around my chronic illness to share. It’s an extremely controversial disease in Australia and I’m conscious of protecting both my own and my family’s safety and privacy around some of the more political elements," she says. "This is why the show only really references Lyme in abstract, indirect ways, which also means it becomes more about the human experience of fate and mortality."

Happy-Go-Wrong review | La Mama Theatre

The sparkle in Andi Snelling’s eyes is evident throughout Happy-Go-Wrong and I’m not referring to the glitter she is wearing. Snelling was born to be on the stage, so it’s disheartening that chronic illness has kept her from doing this for a number of years. However, this is all changing with her new show that has her opening up about how it feels to not be able to do the thing you love and what it has taught her about life.

In Happy-Go-Wrong, a French angel (because why not?) named Lucky has come from Cloud Nine to seek out Snelling and offer her some guidance and perspective. These scenes are interspersed with Snelling's skilful use of spoken word, physical theatre, clowning, and music to express how being diagnosed with a chronic illness has impacted her. Snelling finds a marvellous balance between humour and sadness that allows the audience to comprehend the seriousness of her illness but not to leave them all wallowing in misery.

Why I go to the Gym

There's an article doing the rounds at the moment by pianist James Rhodes called "Find what you love and let it kill you". You can find the article here. In it Rhodes discusses how his love for playing the piano has enveloped his life and how it is the greatest thing in his life, which is great, but then he makes the following statement:

"What if, rather than paying £70 a month for a gym membership that delights in making you feel fat, guilty and a world away from the man your wife married you bought a few blank canvases and some paints and spent time each day painting your version of "I love you" until you realised that any woman worth keeping would jump you then and there just for that, despite your lack of a six-pack?"

I fell this is an unfair statement to make. Clearly Rhodes is not a fan of the gym and it sounds like he's never been inside a gym. I am only making this assumption because it is what I used to think of about the gym before I started going.

I began going to the gym as part of a 30 Day Challenge. Until that time I had NEVER set foot in a gym and the most active thing I had done of late was performing on stage with an improvised comedy group. However, I was "lucky" to be "blessed" with the ability to eat anything and not put on weight. So at 6'3" and weighing only 71kg, I never looked at fitness as my thing.


Initially, I felt a little inferior to the people going at my gym. This skinny tall guy who could barely bench press 20kg. But the more I persevered at it, the better I got. The gym actually became a place of positivity and well being for me. And it was one of the few places, at the moment where I am able to switch off everything else that is going on in my life and just focus on the present.

During my first few visits, I was self conscious but I noticed that no one even looks at you at the gym - or my gym anyway. Everyone is so focused on themselves to care about or judge you. Perfect example was when I was doing some bench presses and I had exerted myself so much that I couldn't push the bar back up on the hooks. I was stuck there with 30 kg resting on my chest. No one helped. Because no one was watching me. I eventually managed to lift if up and hide my sheer embarrassment.

Before I went to the gym, I had severe issues about my body - and to an extent, I still do and probably always will. But the progress I have made at the gym (I have already gained 2kg and now have a bicep!!!) has provided me with more confidence than I have had in my entire life. I am not going to the gym for anyone but myself.

I find the gym an inspirational place as I see men (and women) with great physiques that I aspire to have. My current goal is to gain 10kg of muscle. I go to the gym 6 days a week and have a weekly Personal Training session. My PT is supportive and listens to my needs and pushes me that extra bit. So I take offence to Rhodes' remark about how the gym makes you feel fat and guilty and implying that people only go for superficial reasons.

I have been going to the gym for ten weeks now and I am feeling great. If I become aesthetically more appealing to others in the process, then it's a win/win situation. Whilst I agree with Rhodes' sentiments I feel that his above statement is an insult to people who enjoy going to the gym, as if their passion is not as valid because it is not artistic like playing the piano or painting yet it requires just as much discipline and passion.

So find what you love and let it kill you - whatever it may be.

30 Days of Fitness: Day 16 - Fighting Past

Back at the gym today for my workout. Created myself a sexy new playlist as well and boy did it help. Turns out Paloma Faith and the like are NOT good music for working out. So lots of Kylie - yes, I went there - some David Guetta (my lady jam) and loads of other 'active' songs. So when it came to the cardio stuff, I was more focused on singing along to Rihanna than I was on reaching certain goals. Not that I ignored them but wasn't staring at the time so intently and it kind of worked for me. Didn't achieve my best but I was pleased with the results.

Managed to complete my weight circuit too. Inadvertently did 30kg for the lats pulldown and even though it was a struggle I could actually feel myself fighting past the pain and actually finishing the set. It was a very 'wow' moment because up until now whenever my PT has said 'fight through' or i've said it to myself nothing has happened, like I was having a conversation with my stubborn, annoying 15 year old self. Tonight however, it responded and even though it hurt at the time I did it.

I've been really happy with the progress I have been making - in retrospect I feel like I should have taken then advice people said and taken a before and after photo because I would like to see the difference but I guess it's enough for me that other people are seeing it. Not because I want to be noticed but because it means I am getting healthier and fitter. Co-worker today commented on how I did look good and there was a sparkle in my eyes - that was nice.

This is not going to happen

I'm glad to say I have also not taken any selfies at the gym - ugh. I hate it when people do that. Part of the reason is because I leave my phone at work and it's nice, because I don't get distracted by twitter or texts and calls and can really keep my focus on what I am doing. I like that, it's a nice escape from the real world sometimes, which may also be another reason for me to continue with this once my 30 days are up.

30 Days of Fitness: Day 14 - Reflections and Revelations

So I'm having a massive body image day today. I think. I was at the gym doing my workout and it was all going ok until I got to the chest presses and the shoulder presses. I couldn't do the 30kg that I had been able to do on Thursday and Friday. Was really disappointing because I never thought I'd regress. And it wasn't that it became too hard and I couldn't be bothered but to the point where I had to almost push myself out of the seat to be able to do them correctly. So I dropped down to 20kg. So this bummed me out for the test of the workout and I ended up struggling through it a lot more because of that.

On top of that, generally my gym has a very mixed ratio of guys, girls, old, young, fit and unfit so it's never really been too intimidating. And even though I'm generally a pretty self confident person, when it comes to my body I lack severely. Today however, there was a myriad of fit fit men there, and I know I shouldn't be comparing myself to people who've been obviously working out a lot but you just can't help but be slightly embarrassed and just want to be at home eating Doritos and watching Walking Dead.

Then I had my Zumba class and I've definitely decided Zumba isn't for me. I just feel like it's a dance class for mothers. Just my opinion - please don't shoot! I just struggled with the co-ordination and I couldn't focus on what was happening. Instead I was looking at the clock every five minutes wondering when that hour would be up. Although, he did incorporate a bit of Bollywood into it so that was a nice change.

A perfect example

On the eve of being halfway through the challenge, I know I've come a long way. My housemate commented today that I've been standing straighter - and poor posture had always been a problem of mine - and look better but the idea of being this hot muscly man is never going to be me yet I yearn for it quite a lot.

Maybe this has something to do with gay culture and how it is obsessed - yes, obsessed with body image. I don't know many straight guys who take photos of their bodies and parade it online through Facebook, Instagram or twitter. The gay community though, they thrive on it like it's a competition to see who had the best body. Even though its s competition I don't want to enter or win I can't help it but be influenced and affected by these images that surround me.

I'm generally ok with it all, but today had been a moment of weakness. And reflection as to what I want to achieve from this challenge.

30 Days of Fitness: Day 13 - I'm Spinning Around

Don't mess with me

Second fencing class today. Starting to get a bit more aware of the technique and stuff. Just a bit frustrating playing against someone who just comes hurtling at you waving their sword all over the place and not through skill but just thinking that thrashing about quickly will win him points. It's a shame it's not an activity you can just do anywhere with anyone. This week wasn't as physically demanding as last week, think it's a combination of the weather being cooler and spending more time on technique and principles of fencing.

At the end we had a "last man standing" fencing battle - i won the first two until people realised i was a threat and had three people attack me in the third game. Felt a bit like Zorro...I took two out before getting 'stabbed'. Haha...

Was also my second Spin Cycle class today at the Gym. I was a little more mentally prepared about what to expect from the class and from myself. I paced myself a lot better and for the whole 45 minutes I didn't stop once. There were moments though where I thought my legs were just gonna give way but soldered on through various methods, mainly counting down till how long I had left or telling myself till the end of the song or set and then have a break but then I keep going on. What do other people use to keep their momentum going?

30 Days of Fitness: Day 12 - Getting Tired

Was supposed to have a yoga session in the morning, just in my room, but when the alarm went off at 6am, I just hit snooze and woke up again at 7am. Felt annoyed with myself but I just had no energy, especially when I had work and a gym session to follow. Would have loved to have done it though to just stretch out my muscles but oh well.

With 18 days to go, not sure how much more I can cope. Especially with a hectic weekend of fencing, gym, spin and zumba! I know I am pushing myself quite hard but it is supposed to be a challenge. I guess if I am doing too much I will eventually burn out and I will have to learn from that!

However, at the gym tonight I completed the new circuit quite well. Didn't get as sweaty as I usually do. Not sue if that means I'm getting used to the routine or not. I couldn't find the 3kg ball for my squats or russian twists so I ended up using a 4kg ball which wasn't too bad. Those damn chest and shoulder presses are still my weakest exercise but I guess the more I do it, the better I will get at lifting that weight.

30 Days of Fitness: Day 10 - I Climbed A Tree

Back at the gym again. Liking the routine of it. Still struggling with the ab curls though, which I could practise at home but then I'm like "nah". But I can already feel my cardio is improving and the weights do seem easier. I have my PT session tomorrow so hopefully he'll say I have as well!

It's there! Second finger!

I've also suffered my first casualty during my fitness. Big blister on my hand - clearly not a man who's used to such labour. Hopefully it's the first and the last.

In the afternoon I headed to the Trees Adventure Park in Belgrave. Basically it's a number of tree top obstacle courses that also includes flying foxes. It's a lot of fun but physically quite demanding and a little daunting initially when you see how high up you are.

The long black course (or Oh LaLa as its known at the park) is by far the hardest. It's physically so demanding my legs and arms were shaking so much. There were moments I just wanted to give up but I was in the middle of an obstacle and to give up would be quite embarrassing. To make maters worse it started raining too so the wood was a bit slippery too.

By the end of the two hours I was covered in so much sweat and rainwater, I didn't know which was which. My legs and arms are killing me. Had to use a lot of upper body strength throughout.

A lot of fun but it's not easy/relaxing fun. Think tomorrow is going to be a killer.

Trees Adventure Park = Exhausting Fun

30 Days of Fitness: Day 9 - Back to the Gym

Headed back to the gym this evening. Despite the pain and stuff, I am secretly looking forward to these gym times. Apart from getting fit, when I am at the gym, I am so focused on getting it done that everything else I am thinking about just goes away; which for me is a welcome relief! Just in case you missed it a few days ago, this is the circuit I am doing:

HATE these with a passion

Warm Up
Treadmill 10 mins
Rower 5 mins = 1km

Training
Lats Pulldown 3x15 at 20kg
Chest Press 3x15 at 20kg
Squats 3x20
Hammy Curls 3x14 at 40kg
Shoulder Press 3x15 at 20kg
Seated Row 3x15 at 25kg

Core Excercies
Ab Curls 2x20
Russian Twists 2x40 with 2kg ball
Alt. Arm/Leg Raises 2x10

Cool Down

Cross Fit 10 mins

I'm already feeling my endurance is getting better. I can run faster for longer on the treadmill and can row a km in 4:13 seconds (another 9 seconds of my time two days ago). Less than a week ago, I struggled to make it in 5:02. Even the weights, they are still hard for me but easier at the same time. Although the ab curls just kill me. Each and every single one of them.

I've had quite a few friends comment recently and laugh about the fact that I am going to the gym now. "I can't picture you at the gym', 'what do you wear?' and similar comments are made. And even though I may laugh about it and make jokes about it myself, it's comments like this I think people need to be careful about making because to the wrong person it might be enough to turn them off out of fear or intimidation. Fortunately for the next 21 days I have no choice and hopefully by then, I just won't care!

30 Days of Fitness: Day 8 - Pump, pump it up!

My first pump class today. Was feeling pretty fresh for it, especially as I went to sleep at 9:30 last night and had 8 hours sleep! Haven't had that in such a long time! Pump has had to have been the most difficult form of exercise I have undertaken in the eight days I have been doing this. It was like the instructor said, it's not about lifting weights and being strong, it's about endurance. And I didn't have it. I kept going for about 3/4 of it, or maybe a little bit more. But at a few points, especially towards the end, I felt so weak! Even doing a lunge and my back leg was shaking like crazy! But I did feel good after it and I had no nausea or feeling bloated so maybe that was just my body getting used to it.

All day I was really sore and was grunting like crazy at work when I sat down or stood up - I remember reading an interview with Raquel Welch where they asked her how do you stay so young? She replied that she never makes a noise when sitting down or standing up. If that's the case, I am screwed!

After work I headed to my outdoor yoga class. Was really difficult as my arms and legs were still really tense and sore but I managed to do it. Although that damn dog pose kills me every time. I have really bad flexibility in my legs so I need to work on that. Loved having it outdoors today though as there was a beautiful summery breeze coming in.

Had intended to go to the gym in the evening but I did not feel that it would be at all beneficial to me tonight. I doubt I would be able to do even 10 squats - let alone 120. And chest presses? Forget about it. So instead I chose to rest up and to head over tomorrow. I think I did quite a bit today anyway.

It's been hard so far. The early mornings have been the biggest struggle. Being up at 5:30am. Body clock has a lot to get used to, as well as my body. And the encouragement I am getting from people has been really good and positive so that makes me keep going. Not to mention the fact that I would then have to state on this blog that I failed the challenge. Can't have that!

30 Days of Fitness: Day 7 - Zoom-zoom...zumba!

Due to White Night I had 5.5 hours sleep last night. I swear, if I wasn't writing this blog I would not be going to these classes! But to them I must, so I headed to my first Zumba class at my gym. I had all these nerves again; would I be the only guy? Would I be completely uncoordinated? Would I manage it...the answers were yes, no and yes. I was the only guy but AGAIN no one cares who else is in the class and what their ability is as everyone is so focused on themselves. However, I did have a scan of the room every now and again and I must say, I definitely wasn't the most uncoordinated one and for the most part I do think I kept up pretty well. But man, do I sweat a lot when I get going!

Would live it if my instructor
wore that to class!

As soon as the class was over, I got straight into my gym routine. I thought I would struggle a lot more having just done zumba but I feel like I went a lot better. With my warm up, i spent 2 minutes longer running at 10kmp/h and I smashed my rowing time by 33 seconds and hitting 1km in 4:12sec! 

My circuit felt a lot quicker and I was more efficient in getting through the sets, don't feel like I struggled as much to get through them. By the time the core exercises came, I was struggling a bit and started feeling a little nauseous as I had not eaten for about three hours at this point - for breakfast I had oats with blueberries and a banana. 

I am feeling quite tense in my arms, legs and back but I am feeling a big sense of accomplishment whenever I leave the gym. I am a week into my challenge and I know I'm still in the pain phase but I do feel like the rewards will be great and am hoping a maximum of another week of pain and soreness before ti becomes a bit more natural - but I guess if that happens, it means I need to add more weights! 

30 Days of Fitness: Day 6 - En Guarde!!!

Went to my first fencing class today. And well, it was AWESOME. That's right, I've even caps locked it because it was that great. Again, it was a small group of four, and one late comer. But everyone's on the same page and stuff. Doing it with Spatha Fencing. The two instructors we had were pretty good and were able to teach us the very basics quite quickly.

We ended up having a bit of a round robin tournament and I won all four of my games. Being left handed is an advantage to fencing but also coz I have such long arms, it is much easier for me to lunge my Foil at. Foil being the easiest of the three swords you can use.

The fencing mask was really claustrophobic initially and it's crazy the amount of sweat that builds up in there but definitely going to continue with this one I think. The groups seems pretty nice too. Was only supposed to be an hour long lesson but ended up running 40 minutes over. By the end of it, my arms were pretty sore but I felt good.

In the afternoon I headed back to the Gym and began my circuit which is as follows:

Warm Up
Treadmill 10 mins
Rower 5 mins = 1km

Training
Lats Pulldown 3x15 at 20kg
Chest Press 3x15 at 20kg
Squats 3x20
Hammy Curls 3x14 at 40kg
Shoulder Press 3x15 at 20kg
Seated Row 3x15 at 25kg

Core Excercies
Ab Curls 2x20
Russian Twists 2x40 with 2kg ball
Alt. Arm/Leg Raises 2x10

Cool Down
Cross Fit 10 mins

I managed to do all of this - didn't feel as fatigued as the first day so I think that banana made a massive world of difference.

I was a bit nervous walking in and doing my circuit alone without my PT - gyms ARE intimidating - and even though the majority of it was filled with pretty fit guys, once I got into it, I didn't worry about that at all.

From little things, big things...

So every time I go to the gym and do this circuit I will update how I went and if I have been able to increase my weights...some of it was actually easy - the hammy curls and lats pulldown but I might wait a few more days before I think of expanding or adding more weights. Still very weak with the chest presses find them incredibly hard for some reason.

I also purchased some whey protein powder. And had one straight after my session and I really did feel a whole lot better. Although, since being back from the gym, which has been about two hours now, I have done nothing but lie on my bed. haha...

30 Days of Fitness: Day 5 - Damn I'm Sore

I had intended on going to the gym this morning, even set the alarm for 5:40pm. However, I woke up and my whole body was so stiff and sore so I compromised and did an hour of yoga instead.
There were quite a few poses that I struggled to keep because my arms and legs are so sore. But by the end of it I did better having stretched them out and used them in a "gentle" way.
I'm booked to see Nathan again on Thursday so I'm hoping to be able to get to the gym four times a week and do the circuit he's planned for me. I will admit I am feeling a little self conscious about going to the gym on my own and working out but I guess this is an insecurity I'll just have to face!
The sleep thing is still difficult. I went to sleep at just after 11 last night and that's been the earliest I have done in a very long time. I'm sure once I get into a routine it will become easier, I hope, coz not sure how much longer I can go on 5-6 hours sleep!
Finished work and I am a bit sore in the legs and arms but am functioning quite well so far. Hopefully these aren't famous last words!

30 Days of Fitness: Day 4 - But I don't wanna get up!

5:15am wake up call. So glad the gym is a ten minute walk from home. Had my first proper PT session today.

Nathan wanted me to get there a bit earlier to warm up on the treadmill, cross fit and rowing machine before we met. Did all that for 15 minutes and I either went way too hard for a warm up or I'm really unfit. I want to go with the former.

don't get too excited. I'ts not me but
this machine almost killed

So we did a circuit of shoulder presses, chest presses, back work, leg work and squats. 3 repositions of 15-20 sets of each. I started off well but just over halfway I started to feel a bit fatigued and weak - especially in the arms. We finished on the chest presses and even from our first meet up I knew they'd be my weakest. Had to stop the third set and lessen the weights by 5kg to 25kg and even then had to pause at my tenth and really force myself through the last time. Having said that, I found the squats and leg exercises still challenging but by far my easiest to accomplish.

We finished with some core exercises and by now I could barely roll myself over the mat but somehow managed to get them all done. Followed by a five minute warm down on the treadmill and I was done.

Utterly exhausted and sweaty - and feeling a bit nauseous - but I finished!!!!
I'm not sure if I should be going to the gym on an empty stomach or eating beforehand or snacking? I had water with me and finished almost the bottle by the end of the session but is that the right thing to be doing? Or is it just a temporary side effect from never having had exercise before?

30 Days of Fitness: Day 3 - Look Ma! No Hands!

Woke up this morning with very sore right leg. Just near the inner thigh...was a little painful to walk on but nothing too major (I don't think).

Today was going to be an easy one, as was going indoor rock-climbing at Hardrock in the city. Had the safety demonstration and away we went. Was actually not that hard, granted I stayed on levels 8-11. And they go up to about 25, but perhaps something to work towards.

Finished it like a cheesecake!!!!

There were a few moments of where do I go from here, and at one point, I may have cheated and stepped on a green ledge when I was on the orange path - the scandal. There was a group of people there just climbing the wall without even looking at the colour and I just didn't get that; how are you challenging yourself if you're just climbing a wall.

Again though, it did make me realise how unfit I actually am. Even though I did power through most of the walls, my arms were killing me and I almost let go at one point because I was so weak. Really required much more upper body strength than lower, which was a good thing as I was still recovering from yesterday's spin class.

So by the end of the day, my arms are still a bit jelly-like and my legs are feeling better. My PT has since texted and wants to meet at 5:45am tomorrow. He obviously doesn't know what I am like at hat time...especially as it's now 11pm and I am just getting ready for bed....sigh....

30 Days of Fitness: Day 1 - Yoga in the park

One challenge done and a new one began today! This time 30 Days of Fitness. There is a number of reasons why I have chosen to have this one as my next one.

The main one is that I have a terrible self-image problem. I think I am very skinny and even though I am not unfit (or at least I don't think I am) I know there are miles to go. I'm hoping with the combination of all the varied activities I do, my fitness challenge will be more of a social thing than a chore. The last thing I want to be is one of those people who goes to the gym every day. To each his own, but that is not the person I want to be. Ideally, I would like to put on a bit of weight or muscle or whatever you want to call it but I do have a fast metabolism so not sure how that will work!

The second reason I have chosen this is to sort of continue off from my initial no meat challenge which has inadvertently become a healthy eating challenge. So what better way to support this habit but by furthering my healthy body!

the Happy Pigeon - hate the bird, hate the pose

So today being Day 1, I thought I would ease into it by having an outdoor yoga lesson with Activate Fitness. However, when it is still 35 degrees at 6:00pm and I have walked from Southbank to Carlton, it was the last thing I wanted to do. I thought I would be fine as I used to do regular Hatha Yoga a few years back but that was not the case. This yoga was more dynamic and energetic so it was almost like a 50 minute exercise routine. I managed to survive most of it, my flexibility in my legs is really weak and is prolonged upper body strength but I am happy with how I managed to keep up for the most of it. Fortunately it's only a class of about 6-7 people so that's quite good.

Walking down the stairs at the train station was a bit of a bother afterwards and I feel like I have gone a bit red in the face from sunburn - better not peel!

Anyway, I will mark off today as a success. 29 to go!!!