By Katrina Cornwell
A basketball court in Melbourne’s west will become the stage for a bold new performance as Rawcus Theatre teams up with the Altona All Abilities Inclusion Basketball Program for an energetic celebration of movement, sport and inclusion.
FANATICUS is part game, part performance, blending basketball drills, physical theatre, music and spectacle in a joyful collaboration between members of the acclaimed Rawcus ensemble and young all-abilities basketball players from Melbourne’s west.
The project was conceived by artist Nilgun Guven, a long-time creative force at Rawcus who has worked with the company for 23 years. FANATICUS was first created for the Melbourne Fringe in 2017.
For Guven, the work has always been driven by joy, energy and collective expression.
“What excites me about Fanaticus? Well it starts with the name really,” Guven says. “I am a complete fan – of FANATICUS.”
“In all the work I’ve done over the years, FANATICUS, the process and the outcome, is full of joy. It’s exuberant and taps into this liveness that you can feel and see.”
Founded 26 years ago, Rawcus has built a national reputation for creating adventurous contemporary performances made by artists with diverse minds, bodies and lived experiences. The company’s work is known for its bold physicality, breathtaking imagery and humour, and FANATICUS continues that spirit while drawing deeply from community collaboration.
The performance brings together Rawcus ensemble members alongside emerging young basketball players. Led by Leanne Hindle, the All Abilities Inclusion Basketball Program supports children and young people with disability, autism and additional needs through accessible sporting sessions that prioritise inclusion, sensory awareness and participation. Sessions are designed to create a welcoming environment not only for players, but also for parents, carers and support workers.
Rather than simply using basketball as a backdrop, FANATICUS places the culture, rhythm and chaos of the sport at the centre of the theatrical experience. Audiences can expect movement sequences inspired by training drills, moments of improvisation, and a soundtrack woven together by MC and rapper Yung Philly into what Rawcus describes as “basketball mayhem and magic.”
“And who doesn’t love a good mashup?” Guven says. “When you see basketball mashed with different styles of contemporary dancing and self-expression and you put it all together into four quarters, you have all the elements of a high-octane game.”
Guven says one of the most rewarding parts of the process has been working with a large ensemble of people of different ages moving together across the court.
“Being able to express choreographic drills and movement as a large team crossing the court in unison – it’s really satisfying to watch and make,” she says.
“And then the talent, there is so much talent in the room. We have young people able to show off their skills no matter what stage of learning and technique they have, alongside the Rawcus performers bringing their ensemble expertise.”
“In this particular FANATICUS I have really enjoyed Rawcus bringing different communication styles such as Auslan and visual vernacular.”
The production also reflects Rawcus’ ongoing commitment to accessible performance. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, and the performance will be Auslan interpreted.
The performance is free to attend, although bookings are required, and organisers hope the event will attract a broad community audience from theatre-goers and basketball fans to local families looking for an inclusive arts experience.
FANATICUS will be presented at Altona Sports Centre on Sunday 21 June at 3pm. The performance runs for approximately 50 minutes without an interval and tickets are free via booking. trybooking.com/events/landing/1584184
