Mark of an adventure!
As my friend and I walked up the back alleyway that is Mansion Lane towards box office, we really had to wonder what Hidden Sydney: The Glittering Mile had in store for us.
Billed as “an immersive cabaret celebrating Kings Cross in the 50s, 60s and 70s”, I was both excited, intrigued, curious and a little bit wary. How immersive would this actually be? Would I be expected to participate?
What I experienced during my 80 or so minutes at “The Nevada” (transformed from its current iteration as The World Bar) was nothing short of one of the most unique cabaret and entertaining experiences I’ve ever been a part of.
Nothing is what it seems and from the very start of our adventure through the resurrected underbelly of the Cross, we were surprised and delighted at not only how engaged & talented the actors were in their roles, but how at times the experience was so inclusive, you forgot where you were!
As you are guided from room to room – travelling through Les Girls, The Nevada and The Silver Spade – and story to story by iconic personalities such as Bea Miles, Rosaleen Norton, Loretta Crawford and Abe Saffron, you really get an inside view into the true heart of the Cross.
As the song said, “You find this ugly, I find it lovely”.
For better or for worse, so much of what happened in this area during this time shaped Sydney and as the stories were told, the songs were sung and the Shakespeare sonneted, my gratefulness increased that the team at Live Ideas & Working Management (with Art & About Sydney) have made the incredible effort to bring this to life.
Part of what makes this such a great experience is the absolute unknown as you enter each room. Who will we meet next? What will we learn? Who will be playing whom? So I want to keep the mystery and not go into too much detail.
I will say that the character I enjoyed the most was Bea Miles. I came away from my time with Bea with a mark of an adventure and a new perspective on life.
My recommendation is to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled start time to enjoy a drink and delicious hamburger from On it Burgers. And wear comfortable shoes.
Come in if you dare!
Directed by Lucas Jervies
Writers: Trevor Ashley, Benito Di Fonzo, Nikki Britton, Ray Badran and Ben Fink
Lighting Design: Matt Marshall
Sound Design: Jed Silver
Designer: Hugh O’Connor
Proudly supported by the City of Sydney, Hidden Sydney is part of the City’s Art & About program. Art & About Sydney is an ongoing year-round program of events – a celebration of art in unconventional spaces.
The City is committed to a creating a year-round program of art including major projects, intimate exchanges and thought-provoking exhibitions in unusual spaces throughout the city.
HIDDEN SYDNEY – SEASON DETAILS
Venue: The Rear Entrance of “THE NEVADA” at The World Bar, 1 Mansion Lane, Kings Cross
Dates: From Friday 16 September to 9 October 2016
Times: Monday 6:30pm, 7pm, 7:30pm, 8pm
Wednesday & Thursday 7pm, 7:30pm, 8pm, 8:30pm
Friday & Saturday 6:30pm, 7pm, 7:30pm, 8pm, 8:30pm
Sunday 4:30pm, 5pm, 7pm, 7:30pm, 8pm, 8:30pm
Prices: Mon – Thu – $35 (transaction fees may apply), Fri – Sun – $45 (transaction fees may apply)
Bookings: Ticketmaster 136 100 or ticketmaster.com.au
