It’s an AUTO-TUNE is one of the Sydney Opera House’s ‘Unwrapped’ projects. These short-run events are “dedicated to uncovering the best independent creators.…handing over the stage to the finest original performances by local artists.” So says the Sydney Opera House’s website.
This show is most definitely original. ‘Finest’ it is not. AUTO-TUNE is in the new theatre genre of “gig theatre” – raucous, callous and juvenile. This tale is told through a set of songs and live video captions on two screens above the stageThe story is set in Wagga in the early 2000s. Three high school friends get mired in the love triangle. There’s a car accident. One is killed, one is blamed and the third moves on to adulthood. There is dark humour in the death, as revealed by the laughter from some in the audience. There is loud music – electric keyboard, amplified guitars and a full drum set. Silverchair, the Australian rock band, is a key feature of the story.
One of the characters avoids his mistakes by fantasising of ‘auto-tuning’ –one click and the problem will digitally be corrected by going through the ‘portal’.
The key performer and musician is Mark Rogers. He has a long list of awards and productions for major theatre companies.
The other performers/musicians were Ashley Bundang and Liam ‘Snowy’ Halliwell.
All of the songs performed were original compositions.
Director was Solomon Thomas and the producer was Malcolm Whittaker.
It’s an AUTO-TUNE is playing the Studio theatre, Sydney Opera House until the 7th September 2024.
Production photography by Ravina Jassani
https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/theatre/unwrapped-auto-tune
