MKA THEATRE OF NEW WRITING

This ensemble production, written by Tobias Manderson-Galvin and directed by Van Badham, created a media storm when first produced in Melbourne in November 2011. Denounced in the right-wing press before the script had even been finished, the experimental Agit-Prop production sold out two extended seasons and received universal rave reviews, National Play Festival honours and award nominations.

On the morning of July 22, 2011, Anders Breivik detonated a bomb in Oslo, killing 8 people, using it as a diversion whilst he trapped and killed 69 people at a Labour Party Youth Camp on the island of Utoya. Most of his victims were teenagers. First blamed internationally on Islamic terrorists, when the press discovered that a blonde, blue-eyed entrepreneur had committed the crime, the attacker was depoliticised and relabelled as a ‘lone wolf’ and a ‘psycho’.

The Economist challenges the mythology of Breivik, using his own writings, police reports and other public statements amongst songs and staged fantasies to demonstrate how Breivik meticulously planned his attacks and articulated his political motivations.

The piece also explodes the symbols and tropes of the European far-right and the mainstream media that created Breivik’s narrow universe of discourse, and formed his belief that he was a brave warrior in a desperate cultural crusade.

The Economist fights the distorted reframing of Breivik by right-wing commentators while it reminds its audience that the horror in Oslo and Utoya was absolutely the political murder of 77 innocent people in a devastating terrorist assault.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

You may now get involved in the presentation of this urgent theatrical force in Edinburgh, August 2012. Led by the multiple award-winning playwright and theatre maker, MKA Artistic Director, Tobias Manderson-Galvin, whose play responded promptly to the initial atrocity and the continuing story through a 2011 Melbourne production and 2012 appearance at the National Play Festival and staged reading presented by MKA in Berlin, Germany. Together with the support of Malthouse Theatre's Literary Associate, dramaturg and director, Van Badham, MKA’s staff and talent and by working with UK based production company, Franklin Productions, we have been able to get the show to a world-ready point.

We now need your help to get us to Edinburgh, to take the show to the world. The money we raise on Pozible will fund the international production costs needed to continue this show's journey. For your contributions, you will not only be rewarded with amazing, limited edition gifts, but you will be helping to stage a show of great importance– to enquire and to generate awareness – we plan to perform this production as widely as possible internationally, and this step is vital for that to happen.

A terrible crime was committed by Breivik, and understanding has been hindered by conservatives looking to reframe the act as that of merely another psycho. The cast, crew and staff of MKA have given tirelessly to bring this urgent work of political theatre to the stage, so let's give back by helping fulfil the mission of bringing this work to the rest of the world.

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON’T REACH OUR GOAL

Pozible is one of the largest funding platform for creative projects in the world. The way it works is that we have to meet our funding goal before the campaign expires – or we don’t get anything.

We can only achieve our vision with your help. You are as much a part of this show as we are. The more people who participate, the more ability we will have to get this work out to as many people as possible.

So, help by donating and spreading the word to others. Share this link,“Like” us on Facebook, Twitter it, email this Pozible link to your friends, family, supporters, co-workers, fellow fans and anyone else.

Feel free to email MKA to ask us questions, get more information, and stay involved on the journey of MKA's most important show to date. Website: www.mka.org.au

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE REWARDS:

Tickets to the one-night only Gala Melbourne Performance of 'the Economist' in July 2012. 

Seating is limited to 280.

Screen Printed MKA T-Shirts

Limited Edition 'The Economist' Polo shirts in Black, White and Red each with the satirical Lacoste-style automatic weapon logo.