Urban mythmakers Justin Shoulder and collaborators create a unique fusion of hand-made craft with live performance, in a spectacular theatrical ceremony.

The River Eats charts the journey of Pinky – an over-caffeinated, attention-deficient demon whose identity is undergoing a fantastic metamorphosis. As Pinky’s haunted psyche unravels, we are dragged into a turbulent techno world of mirrors and estrangement. Based on the Taoist notion that every independent entity possesses an inherent opposite, this is an evolutionary tale of instinct navigating a world of material distraction.

Devised, Performed, Costume & Set Design: Justin Shoulder

Video and Lighting Design: Toby Knyvett

VFX: Rebecca Stegh

Composer: Nick Wales

Dramaturgy: Jeff Stein & Victoria Spence

Stage Manager: Clytie Smith

Costume Design & Illustration: Matthew Stegh

Set Construction: Dillon MacEwan

Costume Construction: Marty Jay, Ami Shoulder, Anthony Aitch, Alistair Watts, Vincent Valentine, Phoebe Hyles, Nikki Majajas, Yasmina Black, Nina Buchanon, Dan Bell, Jackson Stacy, Samara Shehata

Video Hypnosis Credits

Editing, VFX and Co-Director: Rebecca Stegh

Co-director: Amy Gebhardt

Cinematography: Bonnie Elliot

The River Eats has been supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, the City of Melbourne through Arts House, Next Wave Festival, Performance Space, MMCA Seoul and MCA Sydney.

Image credit: Alex Davies