Their last show was a kinky dinner party. Naturally, they're taking on Chekhov next
Anything can happen at a Pony Cam show – that's part of their unorthodox charm – though the performers might need to up power tools if they want to outdo Burnout Paradise, the Fringe hit that saw them take to treadmills and enlist audiences to help multitask through a list of increasingly outrageous chores (including submitting an arts grant application) against the clock.
Slapstick scenes proliferated in that one; on one occasion in Edinburgh, a man leapt out of the audience to pash a performer on the lips, in a frenetic attempt to complete the final mission with only seconds remaining on the timer. The show's chaotic scenario demanded presence from the performers too.
'You can be on autopilot,' says Claire Bird of Burnout Paradise, 'but at the end of the day, you can't autopilot your relationship with an audience that's shaving your leg and feeding you bananas at the same time. You just can't do that. You've got to be present.'
An emphasis on shared presence is baked into the company's DNA. That's unsurprising, given it was founded not long before the COVID pandemic, when the five ensemble members – Bird, Ava Campbell, William Strom, Dominic Weintraub and Hugo Williams – were at the Victorian College of the Arts together in 2019.
Pony Cam's unorthodox practice was shaped by the young artists' capacity to turn the extraordinary misfortune of Melbourne's extended theatre shutdowns into a creative opportunity.
'People talk about this show like it's our 'mainstage debut',' says Weintraub uncertainly, 'but in fact, it's the first show we've made specifically for a theatre … largely because for the first few years, theatres were closed.
'We spent two years watching online art that couldn't speak to its audience, that couldn't relate to its audience,' he continues. 'We developed a real desire to connect with people, and for that connection to be the very core of everything we make.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
Mark Ruffalo's Hulk confirmed for Spider-Man 4
Mark Ruffalo will join Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 57-year-old actor will reprise his role of Bruce Banner / The Hulk in the upcoming Sony/Marvel movie sequel, alongside Tom as Spider Man. Michael Mando will also return to his role of the Scorpion, the villain from 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming, along with Jon as vigilante the Punisher. Tom, 29, recently revealed how excited he is to return to the Spider Man universe, after COVID-19 restrictions made shooting difficult on the third movie, 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home. He told Flip Your Wig: 'I think we were really restricted with what we could do in the last movie because of Covid. We shot the entire film on stages. Now we're really going to lean into that old school filmmaking and shoot in real locations. 'We are going to use the streets of Glasgow for this massive set piece that we are putting together.' Tom added that playing Peter Parker and his web-slinging alter-ego is like 'like hanging out with an old pal' and filming the fourth movie is 'going to feel like making 'Spider-Man 1 [2017's 'Spider-Man: Homecoming] again'. He added: 'It's been such a long time that I've done it that it's going to feel like a breath of fresh air. I think the fans are going to be over the moon with what we're putting together.' Zendaya will also be returning as MJ in Spider-Man 4, along with Jacob Batalon as Peter Parker's best friend Ned. Sadie Sink has joined the cast, but her character has not been revealed.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
John Stamos replaces Josh Gad in Jesus Christ Superstar
John Stamos will replace Josh Gad in Jesus Christ Superstar. The Full House actor has stepped in to play King Herod in the live production at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles over the weekend after the Frozen star pulled out with COVID-19, and he has hailed the role a "dream" but also "a little insane" because he has had so little time to prepare. John wrote on Instagram: "Well… this weekend just got Biblical. I'm stepping in as King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar at the @HollywoodBowl, starring the brilliant @cynthiaerivo . King @Joshgad unexpectedly got hit with COVID (feel better soon, brother!)and while I didn't push him down the stairs, I am grateful for the chance to step into the gold lamé. "This is an honor. A dream. And also a little insane because… I just stepped off a plane from @thebeachboys tour in Spain and have less than 24 hours to pull this off. Wish me luck. And let's rock the Bowl.(sic)" Cynthia Erivo, who plays Jesus, is "really excited" to work with John. She shared his post on her Instagram Story and wrote: "You are missed @JoshGad and thank you @JohnStamos for stepping in on such short notice. I'm really excited to see you.(sic)" Josh had shared his devastation on Wednesday (30.07.25) that he would no longer be performing in the musical extravaganza. He wrote on his own Instagram account: 'It is with enormous heartbreak that I inform you all that unfortunately, I have contracted a virus known as COVID (remember that one little b****** from season one of 'earth really sucks right now?'? "Anyway, out of an abundance of caution and respect for my cast, I will not be performing in Jesus Christ Superstar this weekend (unless I test negative). 'It truly breaks my heart, but I can assure you all that this is going to be one of the greatest things you will ever see. 'I hope at some point you get to see me wear the crown and show you what we've been up to, because it was quite something, but for now, sadly, I will not be able to grace the Hollywood Bowl.(sic)" The Hollywood Bowl reshared Josh's statement and wished the Frozen actor a "speedy recovery".
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Night economy boost for Hunter bars and clubs as state grants leave Sydney for first time
Venue owners in Newcastle's Midtown precinct between Steel and Union streets say the injection of almost $800,000 in state grants will help launch more vibrant events like the West Best Bloc Fest to boost the city's nightlife. The state will funnel around $770,000 into three inner city venue collectives, including Midtown - a group of around seven members; the East End group, and the villages of the Throsby basin, as well as the Shoaly Collective at Shoal Bay, to promote inter-venue cooperation. It represents the third round of the state government's Uptown grants program, and the first time that regional venues outside of Sydney have been beneficiaries. The Hunter's slice comes from a pie of some $5.5 million in state funding aimed at growing a 24-hour hospitality and entertainment economy. Midtown venue owners say they will use their allotment to bring in a local coordinator who can leverage opportunities for venues to cooperate on larger-scale events while remaining "authentic to Newcastle". "This night-time economy is going to boom from this little hit," Mad Poet owner Dylan Oakes said. As the landscape of the city's hospitality economy changes in the long shadow of lockout laws, COVID, a cost-of-living crisis and increases to supply costs, venue owners say coordinating with their neighbours has helped them navigate rolling headwinds. "The Midtown project is not to give us any more sugar rushes," Bernie's Bar venue manager Patrick Fisher said. "We have Saturday night for that. We're here to boost the long-term prospects of the precinct. "And by having a year-long coordinator, we think we will be really well placed to do that." Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, who announced the grant winners on Friday afternoon, said the funding follows legislative changes to better mediate between venues looking to capitalise on a vibrant nighttime economy and residents living in those precincts. "In certain precincts where there are bars and restaurants and clubs, there will be music and clatter and noise. That is a good, vibrant 24-hour economy. That's what we want. But people need to know that precinct is where it's going to happen." "(Newcastle) is not a retirement village. It's the second biggest city in the state ... It's all part of a vibrant and active city, and people understand that. And if they don't know, they need to certainly do a bit of research before they move in." Grace Frey, a director of Bernie's Bar, said years of disruptions to the city's going-out economy had changed its make-up, but said the injection of state funding would help smaller, niche venues compete and meet patron needs. Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham said the funding would help collectives generate "self-sustaining" initiatives to boost local offerings and promote the visitor economy. Venue owners in Newcastle's Midtown precinct between Steel and Union streets say the injection of almost $800,000 in state grants will help launch more vibrant events like the West Best Bloc Fest to boost the city's nightlife. The state will funnel around $770,000 into three inner city venue collectives, including Midtown - a group of around seven members; the East End group, and the villages of the Throsby basin, as well as the Shoaly Collective at Shoal Bay, to promote inter-venue cooperation. It represents the third round of the state government's Uptown grants program, and the first time that regional venues outside of Sydney have been beneficiaries. The Hunter's slice comes from a pie of some $5.5 million in state funding aimed at growing a 24-hour hospitality and entertainment economy. Midtown venue owners say they will use their allotment to bring in a local coordinator who can leverage opportunities for venues to cooperate on larger-scale events while remaining "authentic to Newcastle". "This night-time economy is going to boom from this little hit," Mad Poet owner Dylan Oakes said. As the landscape of the city's hospitality economy changes in the long shadow of lockout laws, COVID, a cost-of-living crisis and increases to supply costs, venue owners say coordinating with their neighbours has helped them navigate rolling headwinds. "The Midtown project is not to give us any more sugar rushes," Bernie's Bar venue manager Patrick Fisher said. "We have Saturday night for that. We're here to boost the long-term prospects of the precinct. "And by having a year-long coordinator, we think we will be really well placed to do that." Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, who announced the grant winners on Friday afternoon, said the funding follows legislative changes to better mediate between venues looking to capitalise on a vibrant nighttime economy and residents living in those precincts. "In certain precincts where there are bars and restaurants and clubs, there will be music and clatter and noise. That is a good, vibrant 24-hour economy. That's what we want. But people need to know that precinct is where it's going to happen." "(Newcastle) is not a retirement village. It's the second biggest city in the state ... It's all part of a vibrant and active city, and people understand that. And if they don't know, they need to certainly do a bit of research before they move in." Grace Frey, a director of Bernie's Bar, said years of disruptions to the city's going-out economy had changed its make-up, but said the injection of state funding would help smaller, niche venues compete and meet patron needs. Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham said the funding would help collectives generate "self-sustaining" initiatives to boost local offerings and promote the visitor economy. Venue owners in Newcastle's Midtown precinct between Steel and Union streets say the injection of almost $800,000 in state grants will help launch more vibrant events like the West Best Bloc Fest to boost the city's nightlife. The state will funnel around $770,000 into three inner city venue collectives, including Midtown - a group of around seven members; the East End group, and the villages of the Throsby basin, as well as the Shoaly Collective at Shoal Bay, to promote inter-venue cooperation. It represents the third round of the state government's Uptown grants program, and the first time that regional venues outside of Sydney have been beneficiaries. The Hunter's slice comes from a pie of some $5.5 million in state funding aimed at growing a 24-hour hospitality and entertainment economy. Midtown venue owners say they will use their allotment to bring in a local coordinator who can leverage opportunities for venues to cooperate on larger-scale events while remaining "authentic to Newcastle". "This night-time economy is going to boom from this little hit," Mad Poet owner Dylan Oakes said. As the landscape of the city's hospitality economy changes in the long shadow of lockout laws, COVID, a cost-of-living crisis and increases to supply costs, venue owners say coordinating with their neighbours has helped them navigate rolling headwinds. "The Midtown project is not to give us any more sugar rushes," Bernie's Bar venue manager Patrick Fisher said. "We have Saturday night for that. We're here to boost the long-term prospects of the precinct. "And by having a year-long coordinator, we think we will be really well placed to do that." Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, who announced the grant winners on Friday afternoon, said the funding follows legislative changes to better mediate between venues looking to capitalise on a vibrant nighttime economy and residents living in those precincts. "In certain precincts where there are bars and restaurants and clubs, there will be music and clatter and noise. That is a good, vibrant 24-hour economy. That's what we want. But people need to know that precinct is where it's going to happen." "(Newcastle) is not a retirement village. It's the second biggest city in the state ... It's all part of a vibrant and active city, and people understand that. And if they don't know, they need to certainly do a bit of research before they move in." Grace Frey, a director of Bernie's Bar, said years of disruptions to the city's going-out economy had changed its make-up, but said the injection of state funding would help smaller, niche venues compete and meet patron needs. Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham said the funding would help collectives generate "self-sustaining" initiatives to boost local offerings and promote the visitor economy. Venue owners in Newcastle's Midtown precinct between Steel and Union streets say the injection of almost $800,000 in state grants will help launch more vibrant events like the West Best Bloc Fest to boost the city's nightlife. The state will funnel around $770,000 into three inner city venue collectives, including Midtown - a group of around seven members; the East End group, and the villages of the Throsby basin, as well as the Shoaly Collective at Shoal Bay, to promote inter-venue cooperation. It represents the third round of the state government's Uptown grants program, and the first time that regional venues outside of Sydney have been beneficiaries. The Hunter's slice comes from a pie of some $5.5 million in state funding aimed at growing a 24-hour hospitality and entertainment economy. Midtown venue owners say they will use their allotment to bring in a local coordinator who can leverage opportunities for venues to cooperate on larger-scale events while remaining "authentic to Newcastle". "This night-time economy is going to boom from this little hit," Mad Poet owner Dylan Oakes said. As the landscape of the city's hospitality economy changes in the long shadow of lockout laws, COVID, a cost-of-living crisis and increases to supply costs, venue owners say coordinating with their neighbours has helped them navigate rolling headwinds. "The Midtown project is not to give us any more sugar rushes," Bernie's Bar venue manager Patrick Fisher said. "We have Saturday night for that. We're here to boost the long-term prospects of the precinct. "And by having a year-long coordinator, we think we will be really well placed to do that." Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp, who announced the grant winners on Friday afternoon, said the funding follows legislative changes to better mediate between venues looking to capitalise on a vibrant nighttime economy and residents living in those precincts. "In certain precincts where there are bars and restaurants and clubs, there will be music and clatter and noise. That is a good, vibrant 24-hour economy. That's what we want. But people need to know that precinct is where it's going to happen." "(Newcastle) is not a retirement village. It's the second biggest city in the state ... It's all part of a vibrant and active city, and people understand that. And if they don't know, they need to certainly do a bit of research before they move in." Grace Frey, a director of Bernie's Bar, said years of disruptions to the city's going-out economy had changed its make-up, but said the injection of state funding would help smaller, niche venues compete and meet patron needs. Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham said the funding would help collectives generate "self-sustaining" initiatives to boost local offerings and promote the visitor economy.
