IT’S DARK OUTSIDE
As the sun sets, an old man goes wandering into the night. He is swept up in a surreal western, on the run from a mysterious tracker hell-bent on hunting him down.
Having captivated audiences around the world It’s Dark Outside returns celebrating its ten-year anniversary back to where it all started. A heartfelt exploration of dementia told through puppetry, mask, animation and live performance; this award-winning adventure tells the tale of an old man chasing his memories as they escape into the wild.
Itʼs Dark Outside is “a rare triumph of theatrical ingenuity and human compassion” (The West Australian).
Arielle Gray, Chris Isaacs and Tim Watts bring a constantly creative, beguiling and touching blend of live performance, puppetry and animation, featuring an original music score by award winning composer Rachael Dease, the performers tell the story of memory loss “with poetic insight and lightness of touch that makes it moving and uplifting to watch” (The Australian).
or the full list of everywhere this show has toured (spoiler: heaps of places) please scroll down below the photo gallery.
Originally commissioned by Perth Theatre Company.
Creator/Performer: Arielle Gray, Chris Isaacs & Tim Watts
Composer: Rachael Dease
Duration: 60 minutes (no interval)
Content Warning: Contains scenes of sadness and loss that may be upsetting for very small children.
Age Recommendation: Ages 10+
Please email georgia@thelastgreathunt.com to enquire about a tour for this show.
For touring inquiries for North or South America contact Laura Colby -laurac@elsieman.org
★★★★★ The Scotsman
★★★★★ Three Weeks
★★★★ The Independant
Beautiful and captivating to watch ★★★★★ - ArtsHub
Individual moments that make your eyes shine and your lips smile are numerous ★★★★★ - A Younger Theatre
Moving – and strangely uplifting ★★★★ - The Guardian
It is mesmerizingly haunting and could be best described as a poignant melancholic lullaby. ★★★★ - Broadway Baby
It's Dark Outside is a characteristic of the company's gently poetic, illusionistic stagecraft ★★★★ - Limelight Magazine
Masters of innovative, emotionally profound theatre. ★★★★★ - The Wee review
Beautiful, moving and captivating - The Edinburgh Reporter
A rare triumph of theatrical ingenuity and human compassion…there's a touch of genius about these young artists - The West Australian
Memory loss has rarely had such a novel treatment, approached with poetic insight and lightness of touch that makes it moving and uplifting to watch. - The Australian
A gently unfolding gem that will appeal to anyone curious to know what a new theatrical generation can do. - ABC
It’s Dark Outside is a highly rewarding experience, that touches one’s humanity like a cleansing of the soul. - Aussie Theatre
Every inch of this performance is polished… the trio of performers create shifts in mood through shadows, whether foreboding or light. The animation, too, is capricious and enthralling- Seesaw
Young or old, it's impossible not to be moved by this gentle, profoundly affecting piece. - CBC News
It’s Dark Outside is a true gem of Australian theatre. Almost entirely non-verbal, it takes you on a journey of discovery, memory, and hope. - The Fourth Wall
This show is a feast for the eyes - fringereview.co.uk
Endearing and captivating - Sydney Arts Guide
It’s Dark Outside was a delight. It was intrinsically sad yet uplifting, visually mesmerising and ultimately spellbinding… it’s done so sensitively, and with such visual artistry that ultimately the piece is tender, warm, and so very human - The Vancouver Arts Review
It’s Dark Outside is spectacular… beautiful and captivating - Dinner and a Show blog
2018 Hothouse Theatre, Wodonga, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
2018: Manitoba Theatre for Young People, Winnipeg, USA
2018: Raritan Valley Community College Branchburg, New Jersey, USA
2018: PUSH Festival, Waterfront Theatre, Granville Island, Vancouver, CANADA
2017: Cradle of Creativity, ASSITEJ Arts Market, Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA
2017: BYU, Utah, USA
2016: Seongnam Arts Center, Gyeonggi-do, SOUTH KOREA
2016: ICHI Arts Centre, Nagoya, JAPAN
2016: 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, JAPAN
2016 SPAC: Box Theatre, Shizuoka Performing Arts Park, JAPAN
2016 International Performing Arts for Youth (Arts Market), Montreal, CANADA
2015 Kaohsiung Festival, TAIWAN
2014: Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah, AUSTRALIA
2014: Bunbury Entertainment Centre, Bunbury, AUSTRALIA
2014: Margaret River Arts Centre, Margaret River, AUSTRALIA
2014: Esperance Civic Centre, Esperance, AUSTRALIA
2014: Queen Street Park Theatre, Geraldton, AUSTRALIA
2014: Matt Dann Cultural Centre, Port Hedland, AUSTRALIA
2014: Country Arts SA, Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
2014: Hamilton Performing Art Centre, Hamilton, AUSTRALIA
2014: Her Majestys Theatre, Ballerat, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
2014: Theatre Royal, Hobart, AUSTRALIA
2014: The Street Theatre, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, AUSTRALIA
2014: Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Casula, AUSTRALIA
2014: Riverside Theatres, Parramatta, AUSTRALIA
2014: Civic Entertainment Centre, Newcastle, AUSTRALIA
2014: Glasshouse, Port Macquarie, AUSTRALIA
2014: Centre of Contemporary Arts, Cairns, AUSTRALIA
2014: Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, Fortitude Valley, AUSTRALIA
2014: Darwin Entertainment Centre, Northern Territory, AUSTRALIA
2014: Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan, UNITED KINGDOM
2014: House Theatre, Surrey, UNITED KINGDOM
2014: Cambridge Junction, Cambridge, UNITED KINGDOM
2014: Forest Arts Centre, New Milton, UNITED KINGDOM
2014: Fire Station Arts Centre, Windsor, UNITED KINGDOM
2014: Arts Quay, Isle of Wight, UNITED KINGDOM
2014: Bedford Theatre, UNITED KINGDOM
2014: Letchworth Arts Centre, Hertfordshire, UNITED KINGDOM
2014: Corn Hall, Diss, UNITED KINGDOM
2014: Gulbenkian Canterbury, UNITED KINGDOM
2014: Australian Performing Arts Market, Brisbane, AUSTRALIA
2013: Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Edinburgh, UNITED KINGDOM
2013 Sydney Festival, Sydney, AUSTRALIA
2012 Premiere Season, Studio Underground, Perth, AUSTRALIA