Celebrated theatremakers Phillip McMahon and Philip Connaughton of THISISPOPBABY introduce their acclaimed high-octane dance theatre work Party Scene, which returns to the Irish stage this week prior to a run at this year's Edinburgh Fringe.
In 2023 we premiered a new dance theatre work at Cork Midsummer Festival before transferring to Project Arts Centre as part of Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride.
A sell=out smash, the show was Party Scene, and the theme or jumping off point, was Chemsex. Now, ahead of a headline run at Summerhall as part of Edinburgh Fringe, the show returns to Dublin's Project Arts Centre for six shows only, July 25-28.
Chemsex in the queer community refers to using drugs to facilitate or enhance sexual activity. The term was coined by the late David Stewart, a sexual health pioneer and an advocate and activist for those engaged in Chemsex.
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Listen: Phillip McMahon talks Party Scene with RTÉ Arena in 2022
Queers, sex and drugs is a tale as old as gay time (not all queers, we know!), but we noticed a significant and darker shift in drug and sex culture in Ireland over the past decade and we felt compelled to talk about it.
As makers we wanted to respond to the shift, to shed some light on a world that is incredibly alluring but often traumatic and dangerous. For us, losing friends became the tipping point. If men are dying in our community, we have to talk about it. We have to show up for each other.
Chemsex is a complex subject matter. For those enjoying the scene, attention can feel like judgment, and for those that are vulnerable, attention can feel like a further kick while down. Party Scene looks to acknowledge the heat and fun of a sweaty session while not shying away from the darker corners of the Chemsex world.
This story is global, but this is what it feels like for us, in our homeplace.
Dance theatre felt like the right medium to guide us through this transgressive landscape. We can paint so much more with the body than we ever could with words. The body holds so much story and it can be perceived differently depending on who’s watching and how they see the world. So when we watch dance it’s telling us a lot about ourselves. Words then, when used, become urgent and necessary.
Party Scene is not about teaching any moral lessons. This is not a PSA. While we can’t, and shouldn’t, ignore the risks and dangers that accompany substance use, we are conscious that it’s easy to contribute to the stigma around sex and drugs. This piece aims to go deeper. It’s about community, understanding, and care, which means being unafraid to criticise too. This piece is of, and for, our own community, with a wider audience invited to gain insight and bear witness.
This production, showcases an incredible Irish design team. Behind the scenes is a dynamic array of producers, technicians and support crew. On stage the audience will watch an intergenerational international cast, rooted in Dublin.
This story is global, but this is what it feels like for us, in our homeplace.
Party Scene returns to Dublin's Project Arts Centre from July 25th - 28th - find out more here.
