NORPA’s new locally-produced show Into The Forest explores intricacies of caring for others

Developed in association with Lismore Catholic Schools Office for secondary students, the new theatre experience was created by two Northern Rivers artists who are carer and client in real life.

A new, locally produced show will be premiered in Lismore at City Hall on June 10.

Into the Forest is a theatre experience performed and devised by two Northern Rivers residents: dancer Alice Misty Boscheinen plus writer and performer Kate McDowell.

Ms McDowell is also Alice’s support worker in real life.

Directed and devised by NORPA’s Artistic Director Julian Louis, Into the Forest explores themes of caring, independence, friendship and fantasy.

In the show, Dingo lives in the underworld – a forest with all the animals and plants that have ever existed. It’s almost Summer Solstice on earth and Dingo has slipped through a crack and is roaming in the forest that borders Alice’s house.

When Alice and her support worker Kate venture into the forest for the night – the shapeshifting Dingo is ready for them.

By trickery and transformation, he manages to win Alice over, and lure her away from Kate. Under the watchful eye of Dingo, Alice gets lost in the rhythm of the forest.

Developed in association with Lismore Catholic Schools Office for secondary students, Into the Forest features a live score performed on stage by sound-artist Alexandra Spence, choreography by Kimberley Macintyre and design by artist Charlotte Haywood.

Mr Louis said the bond between Ms Boschenein and Ms McDowell was full of humour and tenderness.

“But there is also push and pull,” he said.

“Audiences will be told a great story, but I also want them to see Alice more fully and to gain insight into the beautiful and complex relationship between a person living with disability and their support worker.”

Kate McDowell said the work was influenced by recent news stories about young people living with autism who have ended up missing in the bush for long periods of time, in extreme conditions.

“The second influence to the work is Alice and my relationship,” she said.

“We unpacked this alongside our separate ways of relating to the forest. The clarity and honesty of Alice’s desires made the development of this piece a whole lot of fun to create and to play, and I think speaks all of our unspeakable wishes.”

Alice Misty Boscheinen said this is the first time she has co-created a show.

“If someone has a disability or not, just get on, just do it”.

• At Lismore City Hall, 1 Bounty St, Lismore, on Thursday and Friday, June 10 and 11, 6pm. Bar open from 5pm. Tickets: $20 – $36 from www.norpa.org.au.