Southern Edge Arts director Annette Carmichael revamps The Creation of Now with multigenerational cast of 70

Albany’s Southern Edge Arts has gathered a cast of more than 70 artists, community members and young people for a modern restaging of The Creation of Now, which was first performed in Denmark 10 years ago.

Some of the original cast members have returned for the reimagining, which is being directed by Annette Carmichael, as she did first time around.

They include Archie Ryan, who played Omo a decade ago and will be performing aerials this time, and Ashling Jackson, one of The Children in 2015, who will be in action on a dance trapeze in next month’s shows.

There will be four performances from October 10-12.

The show is a multi-layered contemporary performance in which the SEA section of the PCYC building in Sanford Road will be transformed to allow circus tricks, rollerskating, theatre and dance carried out by a cast which ranges in age from three months to 70-plus.

The tale is an immersive experience for the audience and tells the story of Omo, an ancient child who is sent on a quest to find ‘now’.

Carmichael, SEA’s artistic director, said the show had been updated from its last outing a decade ago to provide a new version which speaks to the Great Southern.

“In 2025, it seems even more essential to celebrate the collective power of our community to see the beauty in our world,” she said.

“Working at Southern Edge Arts, I’ve witnessed children’s expertise at staying in the moment, and it feels fitting that as a youth organisation, we deliver this project to the wider community.

“I hope people will feel welcome to join us in making or witnessing this poetic show.

“When I first envisioned The Creation of Now, I never expected to have the chance to recreate it 10 years later.”

The show opens on Friday, October 10 at 6pm, has two performances on Saturday, October 11 at 3pm and 6pm and closes on Sunday, October 12 at 6pm.