Sultry and enigmatic, Rachael Dease is a dark-edged diva, one who will burn your ears with her seductive yet haunting torch songs. She is the front woman for the smoldering powerhouse of sound that is Schvendes. They are a band composed of a brooding combination of strings, guitar and Rhodes, all topped off with Dease’s distinct voice: one which shifts from love to lament in an instance. With such vocal capability and musicality (she has a reputation as a damn fine composer to boot) it’s no surprise then that she is currently collaborating with Matthew Lutton on the upcoming Perth International Arts Festival (PIAF) production of Antigone. Yes, Antigone… the Greek tragedy written by Sophocles in 442 BC.
Of course, with Lutton as director, audiences should instantly realize that this won’t be some average run-of-the-mill rendition of Antigone. Oh no, not at all. Not one to shy away from scope, Lutton has pulled out all the stops for this show. The script has been rewritten by Company B’s Artistic Associate Eamon Flack. While contemporary in nature, it still contains the rhythms of Sophocles’ original text.
The crowing glory of this show will not be the logistical feat of the whole thing taking place in a giant pool of milk… although that is notably impressive. No, the real coup is the appearance of Dease as Antigone’s Greek chorus. Dease will appear on stage throughout, accompanied by a four piece band the entire time. So what does Dease bring to this already heady mix of theatre?
‘Musically I would say I bring an element of pop culture and familiarity that is often missing in theatre, which may make the prospect of a Greek tragedy less daunting to the average theatre go-er,’ Dease noted of her involvement in this monumental show. ‘That said, I’ve found the themes and conflicts in Antigone as true to our society now as they were in 442 BC.’
Lutton chose Dease because he wanted a composer who could ‘match the poetry and intensity and extremity of Sophocles with a contemporary voice’, one that was ‘rich, deeply emotional, often terrifyingly simple, twisted, macabre, driven by storytelling and full of soul.’ It’s a tall order, but Dease is more than capable of not only matching said order, but superseding it as well. It’s the prospect of being on stage as multiple characters the entire show, however, which has the butterflies going for Dease.
‘I move in and out of representing the Greek Chorus during the play,’ Dease explained. ‘It was a big challenge for me to write in a way that could represent a strong viewpoint while maintaining thought and subtlety. The chorus is fickle and opinionated but easily swayed as well – actually maybe I’m quite a bit like that – I’m not sure! I often vocalise the thoughts and situations of the other characters as well which makes me feel like I have a lot of characters in my head right now. I think I may need to have some kind of exorcism after the curtains close!’
Dease appears as the show’s voice of hope, reflection and transformation throughout the entire production. It’s been a tough call, keeping a balance between incredibly emotive and expressive while being reflective. ‘I’ve been trying to write from the heart while keeping in mind final destination of the song, who it represents, and what they would want said. It’s a bit like riding a bicycle on a seesaw,’ Dease added.
Dease has many projects on the boil. There’s the slow simmering soundtrack that is Schvendes, her commitment to ArtsWA as member of their music peer assessment panel, her work as a composer plus involvement in various other projects, including Antigone. So where in the world does Dease see herself right now?
‘I guess I’m at a strange kind of crossroad,’ she pondered. ‘I’ve always been confused as to which stream of composition I should fall under, and I think that’s led to me not writing as much as I should or need in the past. I think now I realise I can write for the band, for string quartets, for dance, theatre, whatever I need to do and I should be using my background in different genres as a positive element instead of a limiting one.’
And for a talent like Dease, the limitless space of the dark brooding sky is certainly not the limit.
Antigone opens on February 25 and runs until March 7 at the Subiaco Arts Centre as part of PIAF. Tickets are available now through BOCS. www.bocsticketing.com.au
Scott-Patrick Mitchell
