THE humble milk bar, with its delicious array of mixed lollies and strawberry milk shakes, was once a stablemate on every suburban corner.
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But as milk bars gradually fade away, replaced by chain convenience stores, a group of artists are paying tribute to the much-loved Australian icon in a interpretive piece – Milk Bars.
Ballarat-based co-ordinator of Funky Turtles Christine Tammer has composed a musical piece that pulls at the heart-strings of the corner shop generation.
Using an array of instruments, the professional-recorder plays has created a backing track that will re-ignite memories from by-gone eras of teens double-dinking on bikes to try their hand at buying cigarettes from the store.
The unique theatre installation, performed at the Brunswick Mechanics Institute, will see audiences invited to wander through the different artistic interpretations of the milk bar performed in the institute’s various performance spaces.
The performance – involving 12 artists - is an hour-and-a-half of performance -based installations where actors comprise the role of milk bar owners.
“This play is an immersive theatre piece – it is part exhibition, part performance,” Ms Tammer said.
This play is an immersive theatre piece – it is part exhibition, part performance.
- Christine Tammer
“Twelve people – including the director are involved.”
Ms Tammer’s composition acts as the bridge between the separate performances. Played in the middle of the room – audience members are invited to come together to hear a mix of pre-recording and gregorian chanting accented by children reading a poem.
Ms Tammer played all the instruments herself and layered the recordings in her home studio. The sounds are drawn from her Lebanese heritage and has a slightly Arabic and ancient sound.
“The piece is about exploring milk bars and what they represent to people – (it should evoke feelings like) ‘yes I remember that’,” Ms Tammer said.
“It’s not specific sites of milk bars (instead) it is multi-sensory, evoking the smells and sounds – like lollies and chips, hot pieces and sweets and sugar.”
The performance is directed by Gorkem Acaroglu, who directed Ballarat’s 24-hour experience.
Ms Tammer previously owned a milk bar in Northcote – while she no longer owns it she loves to pop in every now and then to support the institute that reminds her of her childhood.
Placing her clenched hand on her heart Ms Tammer hopes the performance will tug at the audience's heart strings. Milk Bars runs from July 27 - August 6,
Olivia Shying
Police and emergency services reporter.
Police and emergency services reporter.
