The Substation/​ Marcus Whale/​ Ecstasy/

Live, loud, visceral and taking place in the round, Ecstasy invites us to stretch into this seductive void. To shake free and become enraptured, inside the unknowable.

PRESENTED BY THE SUBSTATION AND RISING

Ecstasy expands the artists’ 2024 album to an operatic scale, placing body and voice into a ritualistic communing with light and sound from above and below. A choreographic investigation into the reckless abandonment of the rave—a reach into the place where dancefloor heat goes beyond the beyond.

Musically, Whale’s production builds on cascading sub-bass and choral drone to stretch the conventions of electronic music and the human voice past their usual breaking points. Inspired by Saint Teresa of Avila’s violent rapture with angels, Whale enmeshes modes of queer performance with mystical pageantries. Tethering to baroque elation, he sends himself headfirst into a point of ekstasis — a state of being ‘outside oneself’.

The closing night of Ecstasy will see The Substation transformed into CLUB ECSTASY, a club-night of live performance and music curated by Marcus Whale. Full line up to be announced.

ARTISTIC TEAM

Lead Artist – Marcus Whale
Lighting Designer – Frankie Clarke
Costume Designer – Indigo Newbery-Chunn
Sound Operator & Performer –Angus McGrath
Choreographic Consultants – Martin del Amo and Justin Talplacido Shoulder

WARNINGS

This performance contains nudity, flashing lights, haze, lasers, and sustained loud noises. This event will be presented in low lighting.

ACCESS

This event is wheelchair accessible and gender neutral accessible toilets are available. Registered assistance animals are welcome.

SUPPORT

Victorian premiere co-presented by The Substation and RISING. Originally commissioned by Performance Space for Liveworks 2024.