Bubble is a dark, comical piece about the barriers we put up between ourselves and the world. Told in a slamming acrobatic style, it is influenced by the slapstick and comedic antics of cartoons such as Road Runner and The Simpsons.

At times quiet and gentle, and at others violently destructive, Bubble is a return to the high impact spectacle that Legs on the Wall is renowned for. Directed by long-time Legs member Rowan Marchingo, it is a fusion of acrobatics, contemporary dance, contact improvisation and everyday movement.

Set in a bizarre world of physical and emotional extremes, a living room is cluttered with the discarded debris of generations. It is a cross roads between the past, present and future, and its contents are tied together in string.

“...they know how to race around a crowded stage at dizzying speed, leaping on and off furniture, dodging props and giving the audience a thrill” Jill Sykes, Sydney Morning Herald 2008

A spotlight exposes three clown-like characters that represent Hope, Despair and Man. Dressed in colourful burlesque costumes with lipstick and rouge; they thrash about though times of darkness and light, wildly trying desperately to identify their place in the world. But as they try to connect all they can do is hurt each other.

The characters love, hug and hurl each other through the air; they are vulnerable, hardened and brought undone, but like all good cartoon characters they always bounce back. As their world comes crashing down they realise life is all smoke and mirrors, a journey that can only end in death.

Bubble pays homage to the misery and futility of existence. Identifying some of the experiences that alienate and bind us together, it expresses the pain, joy and banality that life has to offer.

Performed live by a three-piece band, the music for Bubble is reminiscent of a carnival, somewhere between a circus sideshow and an old Hollywood musical. The score draws on classic styles and genres, such as love songs, death metal, and bluegrass. Drums, trombone, saw, violin, guitar, banjo and saxophone work with and against the action, pushing and pulling the audience in different directions as the performers act out their play.

Bubble is a powerful, accessible and relevant work that draws the audience in with its physical prowess and gut-wrenching action.

Bubble was presented by Sydney Opera House at The Studio in July/August 2008. Bubble is available to tour from early 2009. Please contact for more information.

Bubble was initially developed through B Sharp as part of the ‘Four on the Floor’ series with Legs on the Wall in 2004.

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Directed by Rowan Marchingo
Dramaturg: Wesley Enoch
Set and Costume Design: Dan Porta
Lighting Design: Trudy Dalgliesh and Christopher Snape
Composer: Carl Polke
Performers and Co-devisors: Anton, Alexandra Harrison and Ingrid Kleinig