A cellist got struck by lightning three times and turned it into a one-woman show. It's now playing at Gasworks.
Cellist, composer and theatre-maker Zoë Barry brings The Nervous Atmosphere to Gasworks this August, exploring three real-life brushes with lightning.
A Chamber Made production, The Nervous Atmosphere sees Barry weave storytelling, live cello and striking visual design into a solo work built around her own encounters with lightning strikes. Rather than playing the moments for shock value, the piece leans into what came after: the strange, disorienting aftermath of surviving something so far beyond anyone’s control.
The show is staged with sculptural lighting design from Bosco Shaw, who sets Barry within a storm of his own making, positioning her above the clouds as though she’s conducting the lightning herself with her bow.
Between the sound design, cello and lighting, the production aims to conjure both the physical drama of a thunderstorm and the quieter psychological fallout of living through one up close.
The Nervous Atmosphere at Gasworks
- Wednesday 12 August, 7pm – 8pm
- Thursday 13 August, 7pm – 8pm (includes post-show artist talk)
- Friday 14 August, 7pm – 8pm
- Saturday 15 August, 2pm – 3pm
- Saturday 15 August, 7pm – 8pm
- Gasworks Main Theatre, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park
- Tickets here
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Audiences at the Thursday performance are in for a bit extra, with Barry sticking around after the show for a Q&A session.
The artist talk kicks off shortly after the curtain call and runs for about 20 minutes, giving punters a chance to hear directly from Barry on how three separate lightning encounters snowballed into a full theatre piece, and what went into recreating a storm on stage.
The Nervous Atmosphere runs for 60 minutes and is recommended for audiences aged eight and up.
Gasworks has flagged that the show plays with intense sound and lighting, including sudden loud noises, extreme brightness, blackouts and strobe effects, so it’s worth keeping that in mind before booking.
Behind the scenes, the production brings together co-direction and dramaturgy from Ingrid Voorendt, sound design from Jed Palmer, sound dramaturgy from Tamara Saulwick, costume design from Renate Henshke and cultural interpretation from Jason Tamiru, with Rylan Beckinsale producing on the ground and Kylie McRae (former Chamber Made Executive Producer) at the production helm.
Gasworks Main Theatre is wheelchair accessible, and the venue is easy enough to find within the wider Gasworks Creative Precinct in Albert Park.
For more information, head here.
This article was made in partnership with Gasworks.
