Following the success of Our Monster’s Name is Jerry and Lemon Tree on Dreg Street, Ames May Nunn and Dirty Pennies Theatre Project return with a new queer folk tale, RUMBLESKIN, at fortyfivedownstairs this July.
A trucker picks up a pregnant teen on a long stretch of nowhere. A young rodeo rider stumbles into a mysterious ranch. A fugitive comes to a cursed town in search of safety.
An affliction known as the RUMBLESKIN is stretching itself across the country, and if one thing is clear, it’s that nothing is as it seems.
Exploring transformation in a strange and dangerous land, RUMBLESKIN invites audiences to a dystopian future, a western ranch and a small town in a dark corner of the world however they want to imagine it.
“I want audiences to leave the theatre asking themselves what is real and what is not. What is right and what is wrong,” says Director Alonso Pineda.
Tackling the unique challenge of embodying near fifteen roles is an ensemble of five incredible performers including Ziggy Resnick (Henry V), Sunanda Sachatrakul (Shh!), Cassidy Dunn (Dryland), Luke Wiltshire (Daddy Algorithm) and Michelle Perera (St Kilda Tales: A Performance Rave).
In discussing the process of working with these actors, Pineda says “The creative process relies on a deep collective understanding of these characters, their relationships and their connection to the worlds in the play to smoothly navigate the quick shifts between them. I am thrilled to build a meticulous dance of elements in perfect synchrony supported by tone, pace, physicality, atmosphere, props and costumes.”
Dirty Pennies Theatre Project is a company with a particular focus on women, trans, non binary and queer voices, accessibility and daring. With an ethos rooted in a shared passion for the art of theatre-making, in all its glorious and vexing forms the company is galvanised by work that asks something more of an audience than to simply be entertained.
Dirty Pennies Theatre Project’s production of RUMBLESKIN will bring audiences on a journey of transformation with some of Australia’s most innovative and exciting talent.
Director: Alonso Pineda | Featuring: Cassidy Dunn, Michelle Perera, Ziggy Resnick, Sunanda Sachatrakul, Luke Wiltshire | Dramaturg: Mark Pritchard | Producer & Production Manager: Seamus Allan | Set & Costume Designer: Sam Diamond | Design Assistant: Maisie-Mae Minors | Lighting Designer: Giovanna Yate Gonzalez | Composer: Jacob Diamond | Sound Technician: Kevan Atkins | Casting Consultant: Rhys Velasquez | Writer: Ames May Nunn
RUMBLESKIN
fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Season: 18 – 27 July 2025 (preview: 17 July)
Information and Bookings: www.fortyfivedownstairs.com
Image: Dirty Pennies Theatre Project presents RUMBLESKIN – photo by Laura May Grogan