2025 ButohBAR 番狂わせ
OUT OF ORDER II
The Age Review
★★★★
“An anarchic fusion of cabaret, monologue, burlesque, puppetry, choreography, and surreal, subversive performance art.”
“Raw, haunting butoh that embodies both death and life.”
“Released into the night — reordered, revivified, and forever altered.”
— The Age
Commissioned and presented by Abbotsford Convent and Asia TOPA, Arts Centre Melbourne
ButohBAR 番狂わせ
OUT OF ORDER II
By Yumi Umiumare & ButohOUT!
Dates: 5 — 9 March 2025
Venue: Industrial School and Sacred Heart Courtyard, Abbotsford Convent
ButohOUT! 2025 presents four public workshops from January to March across various locations, culminating in a special performance season as part of the AsiaTOPA festival in March 2025. Participants can choose from a variety of options, including weekly and weekend intensives, as well as a special session with international guest artists.
The new work, ButohBAR 番狂わせ OUT of ORDER II, showcases captivating dance, cabaret, song, and visual art. This evening centers around Butoh, a hypnotic style of Japanese dance theatre. Following the sold-out success of ButohBAR 2023, this electrifying event returns with a fresh line-up of local and international talent, including Atsushi Takenouchi and Hiroko Komiya. Led by acclaimed Melbourne artist Yumi Umiumare, this new edition of ButohBAR blends fresh performances and rituals with outdoor spectacles at the iconic Abbotsford Convent, celebrating our beautifully dysfunctional existence.
ButohOUT! 2025 celebrates diversity, offering participants and audiences the opportunity to explore the unique, constructive, and deconstructive styles of Butoh. This positive approach to today’s dysfunctionality will provide artists and participants with an unconventional form of relief through spiritual upheaval.
CREDIT
CREATIVES
Artistic director/ Co-creator / Choreographer: Yumi Umiumare
Creative producer / Co-creator: Taka Takiguchi 滝口貴
Visual artist: Jacqui Stockdale
Sound designer & Composer: Ai Yamamoto
Lighting designer: Emma Lockhart-Wilson
International Guest Artists: Atsushi Takenouchi and Hiroko Komiya
CO-CREATORS & PERFORMERS
Atsushi Takenouchi and Hiroko Komiya
ButohOUT! Ensemble 2025
Kaira Hachefa
Willow J Conway and
Yumi Umiumare
ButohOUT! Ensemble 2025
David Kemp, Eko, Fiona Rutkay, Jemma Ives, Kei Murakami, Kiki Ando, Leisa Prowd, Leyla Boz, MARTE, Pauline Sherlock, Sasha Rouse, Spira Stojanovik, Taka Takiguchi, Tania Perez and Tylah Syme
GUEST ARTISTS
Dan West
Emma Bathgate
Maude Davey
PRODUCTIONS
Lighting operator and stage manager: Celina Mack
Assistant production manager: Kei Murakami
Production support: Ensemble members and Alex Wynne
Visual art assistant: Em Kimber, Liz Nichols, Spira Stojanovik & Ensemble members Photographer: Vikk Shayen
Videographer: Takeshi Kondo
Website and graphic designer: Taka Takiguchi
EVENT COLLABORATOR
Food and Sake: Tamura Sake Bar & Izakaya by Tamura
EXTRA CREDIT
All performances are co-created by the artists
Cabaret Choreography & Costumes: Willow J Conway
Karaoke Dance: HABIT
THANK YOU
ButohOUT! acknowledges and appreciates the support of the Abbotsford Convent Foundation Programming, Marketing & Venue Team with special thanks to Marcia Ferguson, Sherry McLane Alejos, and Finucane & Smith for providing the tables and lights; Zya Kane for the many candles; and Jessie Ngaio for the UV light. ButohOUT! 2025 also thanks all ensemble members for their strong commitment, courage, and generosity.
Official Support and Partnership
