Body of Knowledge

Hersch’s art is powerful, visceral and profoundly imaginative

~ The Theatre Times ~

Part of Perth Festival 2022 and presented in collaboration with PICA: An intimate cross-generational look at the body, age and change by acclaimed Australian theatre-maker Samara Hersch.

Body of Knowledge is a surprising and tender exploration of how we pay attention (or not) to our own and others’ bodies. Teenagers in their bedrooms around Perth call into the theatre by phone to ask questions of gathered adult audience members, questions of (dis)embodiment, pleasure, intimacy, shame & sexuality. The relationship between teacher and student, adult and child, performer and audience, begins to shift and laments on grief, consent, ageing and death entangle.

How can you achieve enough in your life to make an impact when you’re gone? Does the fact that your life could end tomorrow scare you? How do you choose what to do with the time you have?

These were a few of the questions…

Body of Knowledge is not about older generations imparting age-earned wisdom onto Generation Z. The work is crafted in a way that allows the student to become the teacher. Honest dialogue and intimate conversation give the audience space to consider their own lives through reflection and communication.

~ Claire Trolio, Seesaw ~