BENCHED by Jamila Main
Wednesdays to Fridays, 7pm to 8pm Saturdays, 6pm to 7pm Sundays, 5pm to 6pm Wednesday 25 May to Sunday 29 May Thursday 26 May from 2pm to 3pm Saturday 28 May from 2pm to 3pm
An intimate performance that ruminates on athleticism within a disabled body.
“I don’t think of myself as a sporty person. I didn’t think I’d be disabled by my early twenties.” - Jamila Main
Eight humans are invited to enter the space one by one. They choose a ball, shoe, or frisbee and take a seat. A story is told.
Actor and award-winning playwright Jamila Main invites you to join them for an intimate moment of rumination on athleticism within a body whose access needs subvert the assumed binary of disability. This is immersive theatre that is joyful, conversational, and candid.
Watch these ten minute moments unfold as the humans enter and exit the world of Benched.
Benched continues Jamila’s work with autobiographical storytelling and sees Jamila wielding their privilege as a palatable disabled person to put frank, nuanced portrayals of disabled bodies into public view. Jamila’s work asks ablebodied spectators to reconsider their assumptions of sick and disabled people, and to confront their own temporarily abled body. Jamila joyfully presents theatre for disabled and chronically ill people, an opportunity to commiserate and celebrate disability together.
Jamila’s practice is informed by their dual careers as a playwright and actor, creating live performance works that explore autonomy, trust, joy, and operate within queer, disabled, and intersectional feminist dramaturgies.
"Jamila Main is a delightfully fresh powerhouse of talent"
- The Advertiser
"Jamila's writing goes straight to the heart of now"
- Kate Mulvany
Covid-safe information
Darlinghurst Theatre Company is operating under guidelines from NSW Health in response to COVID 19 and our measures to ensure patron, staff and artist safety include;
Additional cleaning of theatres and disinfecting of foyer before, during and after performances
Hand sanitising stations throughout our venue.
Allocated theatre seating and collection of patron contact details
Providing contactless options of purchasing of food & beverages
As per the Sydney Theatres’ Statement, we will require all patrons to wear a mask inside our venue until further notice, regardless of the anticipated relaxing of Public Health Orders
If you are experiencing any flu like symptoms please get tested and isolate and do not attend. Contact theatre@darlinghursttheatre.com with any questions or concerns.
Darlinghurst Theatre Company is working to keep everyone safe. Patrons visiting our theatre need to be prepared to adhere to our safety practices. If patrons are unwell, they need to stay at home and can contact our company about ticket exchange options.