Restless Dance Theatre’s acclaimed production Guttered is heading to Western Australia for the first time, bringing its bold and immersive take on winning, losing, and the human spirit to the Joondalup Festival. Performances take place at iPlay Bowling from 17–19 March. Secure your spot now for this one-of-a-kind experience that transforms a bowling alley into a powerful theatrical space.
Blending the sights, sounds, and unmistakable atmosphere of a classic ten-pin bowling alley, Guttered reunites the award-winning creative team behind Intimate Space. Audiences sit right in the thick of the action, close enough to feel every strike, spare, and miss as performers risk success or failure in real time. The setting strips away preconceptions, allowing viewers to see dancers performing exceptional work – who happen to have disability.
Under Michelle Ryan’s quirky, emotionally layered direction, the work probes how a simple social game reveals our deepest competitive instincts and moments of camaraderie. It gently challenges societal norms around risk and protection.
“Why don’t we allow people with disability to have the dignity of risk? Disability Service lanes restrict failure. Failure is a key motivation to develop and learn,” Ryan explains. “A bowling alley is such a theatrical setting – the noise of the pins falling; the smell of the oil from the hot chips; the classic bowling shirts and shoes; and the raucous interaction of the bowlers – it’s almost a sensory overload. In this work we share the dancer’s intimate stories of winning and losing in this intimate but public context.”
The production playfully confronts the idea that shielding someone from failure, however well-intentioned, can stifle growth and potential. It asks: When was the last time you bowled? Would you accept gutter guards and ramps installed just for you, eliminating any chance of missing the pins? Through humor, raw emotion, and audience involvement, Guttered turns these questions into an engaging, paradigm-shifting night out.
Step into the venue, soak up the retro vibe, perhaps grab some hot chips, then settle in among the lanes. You’ll overhear whispered confessions, cheer alongside strangers, witness heated exchanges and tender duets, dodge flying popcorn, and maybe even take a turn yourself – facing your own small triumphs or wipeouts. It’s interactive, sensory-rich, surprisingly moving, and carries a lasting message about dignity, risk, and what it truly means to play the game.
“Many magical moments…Guttered is both affirming and assertive, an absolute delight.” – The Advertiser
Catch Guttered at iPlay Bowling during Joondalup Festival, 17–19 March. Tickets are just $18 for adults and $10 for children. Book today at https://joondalupfestival.com.au/program/guttered/
Share this:
