secret of the raft

Il était une fois...

‘Secret of the Raft’ is a bilingual French/English theatrical experience combining projection mapping, installation, and live performance to explore a world where the mundane and phantasmic collide. It will challenge the audience’s perception of history while immersing them in 21st-century creativity.  

‘Secret of the Raft’ opens the world of art and language to a young audience by immersing them in a multi-sensory experience which brings to life an iconic artwork, Géricault’s ‘The Raft of the Medusa’. The work invites the audience to explore the themes and history expressed in this painting and to help them grasp their relevance to contemporary events and issues. The underlying message is that works of art belong to all and speak to all, not just the society from which they originate. 

So far, the work has been the recipient of an Arena Theatre 130 Residency, a MATCH Lab grant with Creative Partnerships Australia, and funding from Creative Victoria. It was shortlisted with PlayWriting Australia in 2016 and has undergone four creative developments.

With all the latest information, the ‘Secret of the Raft’ Facebook page can be found here.

In 2023, REMIX Agency developed and launched the Createch/REMIX: Digital Enterprise program for Creative Australia to foster digital innovation and entrepreneurship. ‘Secret of the Raft’ was chosen as one of eight standout projects nationwide for the program, culminating in a showcase clip that highlights its impact and innovation.

Creative Development #3 - Sept 2019

In January 2019, ReAction Theatre formed an industry partnership with the RMIT School of Design to develop some of the groundbreaking technical aspects of ‘Secret of the Raft.’ This included the ‘Hero’ piece – a highly complex digital animation which has ‘The Raft of the Medusa’ painting by Géricault gushing off a wall and completely engulfing the theatre space. Once accomplished, the team decided to tackle another section of the work, creating a stunning underwater scene. In this creative development, we aimed to explore ways of enhancing the wonder of theatre and the element of surprise, which is part of what makes the theatre medium such a vibrant art form.

CAST and CREATIVES

Director/Producer: Louise Howlett.

Devisors/actors: Helen Hopkins, Damien Kenny, Caroline Myers Bock, Hannah Ruthven.

Digital Animation: Dr. Gina Moore (Lecturer), Sahaj Garg, Homie.

Projection-Mapping: Sahaj Garg, Homie, Carlo A. Martinez-Tolentino.

Sound Design: Dr. Darrin Verhagen (Senior Lecturer), Matthew Tankard, Angelina Crutchfield.

Set Design: Simon Curlis (Lecturer), Jacob Sandom.

Dramaturgy: Dr. Alison Richards.

Movement Coordinator: Dr. Sela Kiek - Callan.

With thanks to RMIT School of Design, RMIT Black Box Technical Team, VCASS, ENESS.

Clip by Aaron Walker. Filming by Aaron Walker and Steve Thorne.

Showing at Gasworks Art Park - Sept 2018

A year’s work on ‘Secret of the Raft’ culminated in a ‘Work in Progress’ Showing of three full scenes for our supporters and donors at Gasworks.

CREATIVE TEAM

Director/Producer: Louise Howlett.

Devisors/Actors: Alicia Beckhurst, Helen Hopkins, Damien Kenny, Arta Mucaj, Caroline Myers Bock, Nath Sem.

Dramaturgy: Alison Richards.

Photography/Videography: Aaron Walker, Pier Carthew.

With thanks to Northcote Town Hall and Gasworks.

Creative Development #2 - Northcote Townhall March 2018

The bulk of the focus for our second stage creative development of 'Secret of the Raft’ was on finishing the script. We strengthened the narrative, especially in regard to introducing and developing a new character - une cantinière - the only woman on board the raft.

The creative team undertook three development days at Northcote Town Hall, primarily to devise the ‘missing’ scenes, flesh out the new character, and introduce projection mapping elements. 

Second Creative Development participants: Alicia Beckhurst, Nathalie Sem, Arta Mucaj and Carolyn Myers Bock.

Creative Development #1 | Arena Theatre Residency - July 2016

CREATIVE TEAM

Director: Louise Howlett

Arena Residency participants: Alicia Beckhurst, Nathalie Sem, Sue Williams, Josie Eberhard, and Arta Mucaj.

Dramaturgy: Hallie Shellam

Our supporters...

Our second stage of creative development was made possible through the support of our donors - philanthropic and individual supporters, businesses, and the Australian Cultural Fund and Creative Partnerships Australia.

We would like to sincerely thank the following people and organisations for their generous support:

MAJOR DONORS

Julian Burnside AO QC

The John and Myriam Wylie Foundation

Anonymous (2)

DONORS

Titiana Dickinson, Salva and Vince Lorefice, Georgia Denisenko, Peter Tagkalidis, Sarah Kilpatrick, Michelle Donohue, Edward Bressan, Marianne Rothschild, Hali Halphen, Natalie Duffy and Bartolos Scaffidi, Katrina Gow, Caroline Sharpen, Amanda Paragalli, Zanfina Ademi, Dennis Paphitis, Anna Blay, Hervé Autin, Alicia Cush, Alex Moloney, Fiona Austin-Weber, Susanne Gottstein, Filomena De Fazio, Fiona Greco, Greg Pandelidis, Brendon Gray, Jim Koutsoukos, Neil Croker, Anonymous (1)

SPONSORS

Liz Croyle - Durance en Provence, Armadale; Valerie Blayac - Spirits of France; Yannick Bezin - CANAL+; Romain Guillaume - Frencheese; Sandra Ira - France at Home; Amanda Burton - Frenchly Speaking; Christine Sakkal - Le Petit Lapin Cafe, Elsternwick.

SUPPORTERS

Allon Baron of abCreative for the clip below, Michel Richard at the Alliance française de Melbourne and Martin Aubrée of Franck Provost