Access Tools
Cost
Full: $55
Concession: $45
Senior: $50
First Nations: $45
Student: $35
Booking required
When
31 January - 08 February 2025
All performances commence at 9pm
There is one performance at 4pm on Saturday 8 February.
Where
1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford VIC, Australia
See on map
Stone. Sweat. Fear. From deep within – a low, strange moan.
This is a place of terror. Of sacrifice. Of reckoning.
This is the Labyrinth.
In the haunting corridors beneath Abbotsford Convent, Forest Collective presents a reimagining of their highly successful opera-ballet & piano concerto.
Through this immersive theatrical experience, you will descend into the labyrinth of Greek myth, witnessing first-hand the ordeal of Theseus, Ariadne and her half-brother, the Minotaur.
Evan J Lawson’s music and Daniel Szesiong Todd’s libretto confront themes of shame, isolation and redemption, while maverick Melbourne pianist Danaë Killian gives powerful voice to the work’s dramatically-embedded piano concerto. Ashley Dougan’s visceral, yet lyrical choreography and the vision of director Cathy Hunt bring a desperate humanity to this epic tale.
Re-enter the Labyrinth in 2025.
“Labyrinth, is packed a full range of energy and emotion into a new interpretation of the Greek tale of the Minotaur”
— Classic Melbourne
“The effect [of the operatic verses and music] was magic, with the space seemingly perfect for creating the echoing chamber of music that formed the basis of this piece”
—Theatre Travels
“Start to finish, every element combines in an absorbing theatrical experience.”
— Australia Arts Review
Accessibility
Event Access
Tactile tour.
The Saturday 8 February 4pm performance includes a pre-performance tactile tour. The tactile tour will commence at 3pm.
Audio description.
The Saturday 8 February 4pm performance will be audio described by Vitae Veritas.
Audio Description is a key access tool enabling people who are blind or have low vision to equitably access arts and culture. Audio description can also benefit people with neurodiversity and Autism.
Audio describer guides will provide one-on-one tailored descriptions and sighted guiding throughout the performance. Guides will meet and greet patrons on arrival at the entrance gates located at 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford.
For any queries regarding describer guide and/or tactile tour services, please contact Nilgun at Vitae Veritas on 0400 901 848 or email nilgun@vitaeveritas.com.au
For Abbotsford Convent Accessibility information, including Precinct and Access Maps, please click here.
Companion card bookings.
Forest Collective accepts Companion Card bookings. If you would like to arrange a Companion Ticket, you will need to contact Midsumma Festival via email boxoffice@midsumma.org.au with the subject heading "Companion Ticket" or call 03 9296 6600 between 11am and 4pm from Monday to Friday.
Guide and assistance dogs.
Guide and assistance dogs are welcome to all Forest Collective performances. Dogs must be kept on their leash at all times.
Venue Access
This performance is not a seated event and has long periods of standing.
The venue this performance is occuring in has an uneven brick floor, and will be quite dark.
The following accessible parking spaces are available for use by holders of a Disabled Persons permit:
Two two-hour accessible on-street parking spaces are located on St Heliers Street, beside Gate One.
Six accessible parking places are located at the front of the car park on the northern side of St Heliers Street.
Car parks are located within a short distance of Gate One. The entrance is near a dedicated pedestrian thoroughfare and road cross over.
For further information on parking at Abbotsford Convent head to https://abbotsfordconvent.com.au/visit/
The Abbotsford Convent is 1.1km's from Victorian Park train station (Mernda & Hirstbridge Lines).
The Abbotsford Covnent is 300m's from the Clarke St/Johnston St bus stop (200 to Bulleen & 207 Doncaster SC Buses)
The Abbotsford Convent has a Uber drop off point at Gate 1. The Store is 180m's from Gate 1.
The Abbotsford Convent is a partner to the national RECHARGE scheme. Accessible power points are available for people to recharge the battery in their motorised wheelchairs, scooters or bikes. The power points are located externally, on the western side of the Providence building. (Please note that during markets the power points may be in use by stall holders.)
The toilets on the ground floor Annexe of the Convent building are open to the general public seven days a week (until 10pm). Further info - https://abbotsfordconvent.com.au/accessibility/
Convent building: unisex, ground floor, Annexe (via the access ramp between the Convent Bakery and Cam’s or via stepped access on the southern side of the Annexe); accessible toilets are also located on the 1st level and 2nd levels via the lift in the south-west corner (north-east and south-west corners)
For further information on accesing the Abbotsford Convent, head to https://abbotsfordconvent.com.au/accessibility/ which also includes information on accessing the precinct eateries.
If you would like to arrange a Companion Ticket, please email boxoffice@midsumma.org.au with the subject heading "Companion Ticket" or call 03 9296 6600 11am-4pm Mon-Fri.
Guide and assistance dogs are welcome to all Forest Collective performances. (Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times)
Event type
Other accessible and inclusive event
For bookings and information on specific access and transport.
Location
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