Apocrypha by Oozing Future at Darebin Arts Centre

Apocrypha (a-) n. Meaning: Hidden writings, works outside the accepted canon of scripture, social outsiders who do not fit the norm. Apocrypha is a new work of alt-circus and physical theatre that journeys beyond the canon of mainstream culture, directed by Melbourne artist and provocateur Mitch Jones and presented by Darebin Arts Speakeasy for Melbourne Fringe Festival Pulse Program.

Inspired by cult cinema, sacred texts and the erotic novels of Jean Genet (poet, thief and queer icon), this stunning new performance explores the hidden secrets and stories of our bodies, finding moments of beauty among the outcast and the unholy. Experience a garden of ideas blooming with surreal imagery in this epic visual poem, reminiscent of Slava’s Snowshow, who Jones performed with on their Australian tour in 2023.

Apocrypha includes exhilarating, dreamlike sequences where a tightrope walker dances along rusty chains; an acrobat spins hula hoops that blacken his body with painted scars; a contortionist who handstands on a prison wall made of boulders and a clown wearing a cloak of nails who is trying to escape from his own skin.