Divine Playhouse is making its return for a special three-night performance at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
UNHOLY / DIVINE brings together 50 artists and performers who all had their shows cancelled at Divine Playhouse following its closure in July.
“When a small venue disappears, the city doesn’t just lose a room. It loses a place where grassroots artists can test ideas, communities can gather and culture can be born before it reaches the mainstream,” said Kat Dopper, founder of Divine Playhouse.
“I am delighted that the MCA has offered to open its doors and let artists be heard.”
The first night, on Thursday October 8, is An Unholy Funeral which is designed to lay to rest the memories of Divine Playhouse.
Patrons are invited to join a “party to die for” as the Foundation Hall at the MCA is taken over for the evening.
Then on Thursday October 22 it’s all about rebirth with an event called BLISS! DEVOTION! ADORATION! An Unholy Rebirth – Resurrection and Joy.
While the final night, on Thursday October 29, it’s “time for some indulgence” with PLEASURE! VICE! DESIRE! A Delicious Indiscretion – Forbidden Fruits, Confessions and Naughty Arts.
Already the announcement has gone down well with the community, with hundreds of messages on social media celebrating the announcement.
“Out of the gutter and into the gallery!!! The queens ascend,” said Brendan de la Hay.
“How incredible! Congrats everyone,” said Vybe.
It comes almost two months after Divine Playhouse had its lease terminated at 420 Kent Street in the city.
The lease was terminated by billionaire developers Revelop due to an obscure clause of the lease which “expressly prohibits … offensive trade.”
Specifically, the breach notice sent to Divine Playhouse alleged the venue “insulted and mocked the sincerely held religious beliefs of millions of Christian Australians.”
The breach notice followed protests by Christian groups including the Prodigal Sons and Fit For The Kingdom, who believed that the venue was “blasphemy against Our Lord in a building that once housed the Holy Mass.”
Seventy protestors from the groups even staged a ‘prayer vigil’ to celebrate the closure of Divine Playhouse.
Meanwhile, 400 people rocked up at Hyde Park days later for a peaceful ‘sing-in’ protest to throw support behind the venue and its artists.
