The Self Possessed!
Tue
30
Tue 30 Jun 7:30 PM
The Loading Dock Theatre
General Admission
75 Mins
Two very QUEER Voices
Two very ODD Lives
One very UNUSUAL Theatrical Event!
NZ Fringe 2025: "a brave & deeply inspiring journey"
Midsumma 2026: 4 1/2 stars "Captivating... Glenn time travels with their beautiful singing to where vulnerability collides with disability and transmutes into beauty"
18th century European opera superstar, Gaetano Guardagni duets across 275 years with obscure 21st century Antipodean performance artist Glenn McKenzie to unravel the mystery of "What Was I Made For?"
In 2026 Gae' is only remembered by very few for his innovative creation of the role of Orpheus for Gluck's genre changing opera of 1762. Italian born, castrated at nine, nurtured in England by the composer Handel & the actor/producer Garrick, Gae was celebrated for his wayward lifestyle, emotive acting abilities & his expressive mezzo-soprano voice.
During "The Self Possessed" Gae & Glenn playfully explore their lives' performance - both on and off stage - looking for their true selves amongst the many characters they have pretended to be. Together they search out some authentic sense of self through a "period-incorrect" muddle of music and musings, against a kaleidoscope of evocative projections. But the shattering of the performance mask concealing disability reveals the true cost of their pretence.
"The Self Possessed" is a 75 minute showcase of performance & vocal repertoire from over 3 centuries. It features works written by Handel specifically for castrati, plus popular songs & arias by Gluck, Scarlatti, Mozart, Schubert, Gilbert & Sullivan, & Billie Eilish.
Created, performed by Glenn McKenzie, with projections by Japanese/Australian contemporary artist Junko Hagiwara.
Glenn McKenzie is a neurodiverse queer Kiwi actor, musician and writer. They have spent over half a century performing in England, NZ, & Australia with works created to explore the hidden drives and desires of contemporary society.
Two very ODD Lives
One very UNUSUAL Theatrical Event!
NZ Fringe 2025: "a brave & deeply inspiring journey"
Midsumma 2026: 4 1/2 stars "Captivating... Glenn time travels with their beautiful singing to where vulnerability collides with disability and transmutes into beauty"
18th century European opera superstar, Gaetano Guardagni duets across 275 years with obscure 21st century Antipodean performance artist Glenn McKenzie to unravel the mystery of "What Was I Made For?"
In 2026 Gae' is only remembered by very few for his innovative creation of the role of Orpheus for Gluck's genre changing opera of 1762. Italian born, castrated at nine, nurtured in England by the composer Handel & the actor/producer Garrick, Gae was celebrated for his wayward lifestyle, emotive acting abilities & his expressive mezzo-soprano voice.
During "The Self Possessed" Gae & Glenn playfully explore their lives' performance - both on and off stage - looking for their true selves amongst the many characters they have pretended to be. Together they search out some authentic sense of self through a "period-incorrect" muddle of music and musings, against a kaleidoscope of evocative projections. But the shattering of the performance mask concealing disability reveals the true cost of their pretence.
"The Self Possessed" is a 75 minute showcase of performance & vocal repertoire from over 3 centuries. It features works written by Handel specifically for castrati, plus popular songs & arias by Gluck, Scarlatti, Mozart, Schubert, Gilbert & Sullivan, & Billie Eilish.
Created, performed by Glenn McKenzie, with projections by Japanese/Australian contemporary artist Junko Hagiwara.
Glenn McKenzie is a neurodiverse queer Kiwi actor, musician and writer. They have spent over half a century performing in England, NZ, & Australia with works created to explore the hidden drives and desires of contemporary society.