Alana’s Score: 4.5 Chopsticks
Food is such a central part of life. In different cultures, certain dishes have specific meaning and significance. But universally, food brings us together, and we create memories around it that become stories and legends to tell the next generation.
Brought to life by Contemporary Asian Australian Performance, Double Delicious really is a theatre experience for all the senses. Five wonderful storytellers take turns bringing to life a tale from their past, all while slicing, dicing and enticing.
They are remarkable stories of family, love, change, acceptance and the one thing that bound them all together – food. The best bit? After you’ve finished watching the prep and hearing all about the dish’s history and meaning, you get to eat it!
The table service was a little clunky, and we weren’t really given enough time to enjoy the food before the next story began. But maybe these kinks will be smoothed out over the run.
Highlights include the indomitable yet enduringly humble Elizabeth Chong (and her Black Satin Chicken), Raghav Handa’s stunning self-choreographed contemporary movement, and Benjamin Law’s witty, cheeky script.
The stark concrete walls of the Carriageworks space are used to great effect with projections by Verity Hampson, which show old family photos, tumbling macro chickpeas and spices, vintage postcards and more.
It’s a very different, but highly enjoyable night at the theatre. Nab a ticket if you can, and come hungry.
Alana Kaye – Theatre Now
8 – 12 January 2020
Venue: Carriageworks
Theatre Company: Sydney Festival & Contemporary Asian Australian Performance
Duration: Approx, 100 Min
$85 + BF
Wed 8 Jan at 8.00pm
Thu 9 Jan at 5.00pm
Thu 9 Jan at 8.00pm*
Fri 10 Jan at 5.00pm
Fri 10 Jan at 8.00pm
Sat 11 Jan at 12.00pm
Sat 11 Jan at 5.00pm
Sat 11 Jan at 8.00pm
Sun 12 Jan at 12.00pm
Sun 12 Jan at 5.00pm**
Sun 12 Jan at 8.00pm
By Contemporary Asian Australian Performance
From Contemporary Asian Australian Performance (CAAP), creators of the Sydney Festival 2014 smash hit The Serpent’s Table, comes a second helping of spicy and sumptuous storytelling.
In a stimulating experience for the senses, stellar storyteller-cooks Benjamin Law, Elizabeth Chong, Valerie Berry, Raghav Handa and Heather Jeong reveal their stories and the secrets of their dishes.
Listen as they tell intimate, affecting tales while slicing, stirring and serving personally and culturally significant cuisine.
