The Burrow

score by Michael Smetanin, libretto by Alison Croggon.
Instrumentation: 2 sop., mez., alto, 2 ten., bar., bass, vlc., 2 cbs., fl., sax., bar. sax., tpt., pf., sampler, 2 percs.
The Burrow takes its title from one of the last stories Kafka completed, an allegory of Kafka's own insecurity and futile quest for peace of mind through feverish creative effort. The production incorporates a highly original use of visual theatre techniques in one of the company's most striking new works.
Smetanin's music is characterised by a forceful, sometimes abrasive hyper-energetic rhythmic drive with roots in sources as diverse as Stravinsky, 'funk', Russian folk, hard rock and Xenakis.
"...I don't recall being so impressed since (the first time I saw) Pina Bausch's Wupperthaler Tanztheater..." Peter Burch, The Australian
Melbourne Premiere National Theatre, St Kilda, August 1995. Musical direction by Roland Peelman, stage direction by Douglas Horton, designed by Dan Potra (set & costumes) and David Murray (lighting).