Dramaturg, Co-Author and Set Designer - Performed at Belvoir Street Downstairs Theatre for Queen Hades Productions and 25A
March 12th - 30th 2024
Set design by Jess Zlotnick embraces a distinct lo-fi rawness, one that perfectly represents an experimental spirit so clearly entrenched in all elements of the staging.
Not Now, Not Ever; Or A Parliament of Women
After Aristophanes
Directed by Margaret Thanos
Prax thinks the world is f*cked and wants to start a rebellion with her best friend Gora, who also happens to be a tap-dancing goat. Athena thinks it’s time for Zeus to step Aside. But the king of the gods won’t give up his throne so easily, and stakes his rule on the Australian Federal election; if Athena can get Prax elected she’ll have dominion over Mount Olympus, and Prax will finally be able to make a real difference.
But there’s one small problem: there aren’t many revolutionaries on hand when you want to change the game. Everyone is worried for her, but she’s on a mission for equal pay and to dismantle the evil CCorp! She might be one voice amongst many, but that’s how it begins. Revolution is in the small steps too.
Not Now, Not Ever: or A Parliament of Women is a modern adaptation of Assemblywomen by Aristophanes, presented by activism arts company Queen Hades. This show is a queer, gender-bending satirical take on an already uproariously funny comedy from over 2000 years ago.
Initial set render
Creatives
Margaret Thanos | Writer/Director
Grace Valerie-Lynette | Producer
Jess Zlotnick | Dramaturg/Set Design
Jason Jeffries | Assistant Producer
Aloma Barnes | Costume Designer
Angus Evans | Composer
Saint Clair | Lighting Designer
Caity Cowan | Stage Manager
Anna Rowe | Costume Assistant
Cast
Matt Abotomey, Lib Campbell, Rachael Colquhoun-Fairweather, Clay Crighton, Richard Hilliar, Ava Madon, Emma O’sullivan, Hannah Raven, Idam Sondhi
Design inspiration and moodboard
In this production there was no expense spent; the set and most of the props were made out of brown cardboard, which held a certain appeal.
Props Design
Set against a design of cardboard, there are some ingenious creations at play here. Right down to brass rings and lightning bolts made of cardboard, set designer Jess Zlotnick shows how versatile the abundant material can be.
Set renders
The set - a cardboard backdrop with a butler’s desk of hidden compartments (Jess Zlotnick) is a pleasure.
Production Photos © Clare Hawley