Pony Cam’s ‘Burnout Paradise’: A High-Octane Show on Treadmills
After earning the prestigious ‘Best In Theatre’ award at Melbourne Fringe 2022, Pony Cam is set to make a triumphant return with their latest production, ‘Burnout Paradise.’ This captivating show promises a rollercoaster of sweaty, silly, and high-octane entertainment, taking place on four treadmills.
‘Burnout Paradise’ is more than just a performance; it’s a test of human multitasking and endurance. For 60 intense minutes, four talented performers will run on treadmills, continuously increasing their speed and incline while tackling a series of escalating tasks without a moment’s rest. What sets this show apart is that each performance is a unique experience. As the performers push their bodies through this gruelling ordeal for ten consecutive nights, the physical embodiment of burnout becomes increasingly palpable.
This immersive performance aims to create a communal space where audiences can witness the overly optimistic stories we tell ourselves before an inevitable burnout. Pony Cam is no stranger to pushing boundaries, earning praise for their inventive, unpredictable, and emotionally resonant work over the past four years.
The five artists, from around Australia, who make up Pony Cam have had to balance their art with the demands of a combined total of 14 part-time jobs, which have taken a toll on their physical, emotional, and social well-being. ‘Burnout Paradise’ serves as a cathartic metaphor for this struggle, offering a high-energy examination of the culture where work often demands more than we can give.
Pony Cam’s 2023 productions, including ‘Anything You Can Do,’ ‘Boobs in Space,’ ‘And Then There Was Night,’ and ‘All of this Could Be Yours,’ have explored various forms, collaborations, and socio-political themes. But their common thread has been the desire to eliminate shame and create a sense of community.
‘Burnout Paradise’ will run for two weeks in Solidarity Hall at the Festival Hub, offering a low-cost night of hilarious action and unforgettable performances. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the physical and emotional rollercoaster of burnout in a unique and entertaining form.
‘Burnout Paradise’ performs from 11-22 October 2023 at Festival Hub: Trades Hall – Solidarity Hall. Tickets are only $18.00.
For more information and tickets, visit Melbourne Fringe’s website or follow Pony Cam on Instagram.
Photography by Cameron Grant.
