Joyous. Sexy. Heartbreaking. Take a dizzying ride through love’s collision course as Darlinghurst Theatre Company presents I Want To Know What Love Is at the Eternity Playhouse for a limited season from 19 May 2021.
Premiering in 2014, it captivated audiences around the country during two sell-out seasons in Brisbane, a Melbourne season at the 2017 Provocare Festival, and a national tour. Originally planned as part of last year’s program, Darlinghurst Theatre Company is thrilled to finally bring this spectacular tapestry of crowdsourced love stories to Sydney.
The show was devised by Queensland-based performance collective The Good Room. Their approach uses anonymous experiences of ordinary people to create extraordinary theatre works and I Want To Know What Love Is is no different.
Members of the public were invited to anonymously submit their stories of love online. These ranged from confessions and quirky anecdotes to stories of heartbreak and first love. While most submissions were romantic, they also included warm stories of familial love.
#285 – you steal the blankets but somehow i don’t mind
#331 – I’m in love with both of them, I feel like they both love me back, and I’m pretty sure they love each other
#703 – love is having sex in unconventional places like a car, while your friends sit on the kerb and watch
#646 – three little words. those three little words changed everything. Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Featuring 800 anonymous love stories submitted by you, your friends and your exes, I Want To Know What Love Is throws a spotlight on long-buried memories, bedroom fantasies, crushes and conquests as secret confessions are transformed into magnificent declarations centre stage.
The performance incorporates story, movement and song, and is wildly surprising, at times moving, and enormously fun. This show is for everyone who’s ever loved. Anyone who’s ever hurt. This is for you!
Director: Daniel Evans Featuring: Tom Cossettini, Amy Ingram, Katrina Foster, Emily Tomlins Designer: Kieran Swann Lighting Design: Jason Glenwright Composer/Sound Design: Lawrence English Creators: Daniel Evans, Amy Ingram, Caroline Dunphy, Kieran Swann, Lauren Clelland Producers: The Good Room / Critical Stages Touring
I Want To Know What Love Is
Eternity Playhouse, 39 Burton Street, Darlinghurst
Season: 19 – 22 May 2021
Information and Bookings: www.darlinghursttheatre.com
Image: I Want To Know What Love Is – photo by Stephen Henry