House of the Heart

An exuberant introduction explains the luck of dragons and the use of the Chinese Museum, “The Luckiest Place in Melbourne”, to stage the Cabaret. Then, an exceptionally talented and diverse group of performers gather the audience’s hearts and minds and alternatively challenge and beguile them with an exploration of the notion of the House of the Heart. Heartbreaking stories of loss and resilient achievement are presented to remind the audience that we all need a home, a sense of belonging and a community.

Moira Finucane who is a consummate storyteller movingly performs the story of a small bird which lies broken outside a church, and from her time in Antarctica observing Emperor Penguins, she celebrates each mating pair’s commitment to their eggs.

Paul Cordeiro invites the audience into his family’s immigration story and incidentally shares how to make a curry with focus, humour and evocative dance movement. Indigenous Ngarluma Jazz blues singer, Lois Olney accompanied by Dave Johnston tells and sings the stories of deaths in custody, the Stolen Generation and loss of Culture with quiet assurance and grace. Sophie Koh’s singing wraps the audience in her glow and Zi Tao Deng sings with passion about their personal journey to be at home with themself. Raksha Parsnani performs a stunning belly dance which is full of passion and delight. As well as providing incident cello music, Xiao Xiao premiered an accomplished cello solo she composed.

Audience engagement is taken to a new level when Moira invites the audience to share the contents of their House of the Heart with heart-warming results.

The performers were supported with profoundly sensitive piano and incidental Theremin (Rachel Lewindon) and Guzheng - Chinese Zither (Sophie Koh). Sound and lighting design (Emily Mangan) were crafted to support the performers.

The costumes bring added glamour as do the singing ushers, Jens Radda, Lachlan Bartlett and Kate Foster.

An entrancing cabaret of stories which stir the heart and joyously embrace life to affirm our connections and humanity.

Ruth Richter

Images: Sophie Koh and Moira Finucane. Photographer: Jodie Hutchinson