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Screams, rumbles, crumbling bricks. The fortress that was built to last centuries to house the ‘Scarabs’, collapses as the result of an earthquake. They’ve escaped…The citizens, however, have been told by the authorities that the refugees broke through the walls to escape, which causes panic.
Magical ‘jewels’ begin to fall upon them as the refugees flee, rupturing the dust and debris that was left behind the collapse.
After a series of propaganda generated by certain media, the public quickly came to naming these new refugees as ‘scarabs’. Conflict increases due to the economical, symbolic, social and identity threat they pose. But we see both sides of the story.
We see an elderly lady who herself was a refugee to the country many years ago, witnessing the building of the fortress.
Her granddaughter, living in this new land, is inspired to make a change and leave her mark for the next generation.
We see, through the eyes of a young refugee, how their family who were promised freedom, was able to escape their war-torn land, only to be detained in the fortress.
We see politicians justifying their decisions, citizens expressing their concerns, ignorant civilians regurgitating the propaganda they hear on certain media.
Although ‘scarab’ may be perceived as a negative term created to cause division amongst the population, scarabs have great importance and symbolises birth, life, death, and resurrection. It is also the symbol of the Sun god and as such could stimulate the non-living heart to life. The scarab beetle was the symbol of ‘transformations’, whereby the dead could make any changes into whatever their heart desired. This original play draws upon refugee experiences, demographic challenges, changing media landscapes, political ambits, and emotional abundance in the face of adversity.
The play is set in a fictional world. It is an alternate reality; a dystopian/hyper-hideous fictional reality. It is not representative of any land or country. It does not try to take aim at any current situation. This is not a story about repression, it is about the myths and legends that develop as a result of blended existences; it’s about resilience in the face of oppression; it is about rising above.
Scarabs is a kaleidoscopic play of 52 scenes, some long, some short, addressing contemporary issues such as racism, discrimination and xenophobia, with an underlying foundation of hope, identity and strength.
𝗙𝗔𝗤𝘀
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗜 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲?
At least 30 minutes before the show. Our performances start bang on time and it takes a hot second to welcome you into the building.
𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗗 𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗺 𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁?
The Butterfly Club is a licensed venue. Accordingly, patrons under 18 are only allowed on premises in the company of a parent or legal guardian.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁/𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁?
We strongly encourage using public transport. The Butterfly Club is a short stroll from Flinders Street station and Melbourne Central, and an even shorter stroll from any tram that travels through Swanston or Collins Streets (get off at Town Hall).
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀?
Please call The Butterfly Club on 03 9663 8107 or reply to your email confirmation.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆?
All sales are final: exceptions are made in extraordinary circumstances at the Club's sole discretion.
𝗗𝗼 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁?
No. Our team have a record of all attendees updated in real time and will be able to let you in whether you bring a printed copy of your ticket or not.
𝗜𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗸 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀?
Yes. It happens all the time. It's totally fine.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Butterfly Club, 256 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia,Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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