CONCRETE:heartbeat

24 Hours. 8 Stories. 1 City.

CONCRETE:heartbeat is the critically acclaimed production from kdmindustries, a collective of artists with a mind to further exploring the contemporary language of theatrical performance.

A lone storyteller stands onstage in front of an enveloping screen and recounts 24 hours in the life of a major city through eight personal perspectives: short and simple stories that offer snapshots of those who call the metropolis home.

The day unfolds, hour by hour, as the protagonists go about their lives. The stories speak of the energy, noise and loneliness of urban living; the dislocation within anonymity, the pressures and the pollution. But within each there is also a recognised joy in the act of collective living; an inspiration and humour that can only be found in the absurdity of millions of individuals crammed into a high-density life.

Taking its inspiration from a fusion of global street styles and virtual exploration, CONCRETE:heartbeat looks through the smog and traffic congestion to the heart of contemporary cities, creating a powerful snapshot of the excitement of urban habitation in an hour that is both visually stunning and deeply human.

Concept / Direction / Performer:

MARK HASLAM

Visuals:

MELVIN MONTALBAN

Cinematography:

TANIA LAMBERT

Original Tunes:

paranym

Haslam is a spell-binding writer and performer, whose skills are raised even further by the impressive collaborative efforts of his team. Without embarrassment, I’d say it was magical - ArtsHub

Performance History: PACT Theatre, Sydney, 2010; Old Fitzroy Theatre, Sydney, 2011; Under the Radar Festival, Brisbane, 2011; Arcade Lane, Adelaide, 2011; Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, Perth, 2015

CONCRETE:Heartbeat is a clever marriage of words and multimedia giving it a sense of theatre…mesmeric, modern and winsome. Storytelling at it’s best - Perth Culture

Tunes, cinematography and visuals hug skin-tight to Haslam’s dialogue, beating home the same message in eight forms: get out of your head and into the world around you; embrace the energy because you can run but you can’t hide. A great wake up call. Seamless - RIPITUP Adelaide

This is a truly immersive experience, Upbeat, clever, funny and moving - Australia Times

Haslam imbued it with so much heart, so much observed passion, that his wonderfully lyrical delivery brought tears of recognised joy to my eyes. The staging and direction, too, was just beautiful - Festival Freak, Adelaide