Photography courtesy of Le Grand Mazarin. You’re reading The T Australia List, your weekly curation of what T Australia editors and tastemakers are noticing and coveting right now.
Experience This: A Communal Grieving Experience During Tasmania’s Most Famous Festival
Amidst Poland’s most stringent pandemic lockdowns, Zosia Holubowska and Julia Giertz’s “Community of Grieving” was broadcast online, a collective listening piece that united listeners in their grief. Inspired by traditions of vesper and lament—interweaving sonic meditation, narration and audio essay—the piece took listeners through six different chapters, from ‘Asking For Help’ (the first line, translated into English, laments; ‘How false everything is in this wretched world’) to ‘To Be Held’ and ‘Earth, Catch Me’.
In time, even more significance has been applied to this auditory experience’s ability to heal; post-lockdowns, for a period of time, sales from the recording were donated to Salam Lab, a Krakow organisation supporting Ukrainian refugees. Now, during this month’s Dark Mofo in Hobart, festival goers will be able to share in the formative auditory experience live—complete with musicians, holograms and dance—guided by Holubowska and Giertz in this ‘voyage of reflection and catharsis.’ ‘Community of Grieving’ will take place in the Black Temple Gallery on 17 & 18 June , darkmofo.net.au
Watch This: A Delightfully Crass, Deeply Moving One-Woman Show About Giving Birth (To Who You’ll Be as a Mother)
For Sydneysiders fond of small theatre productions, there are few stages as endearing as the Griffin Theatre Company’s, giving opportunities to emerging creatives since the 1970s. A diminutive triangle stage, tiered seating hugging two sides, the some 100 seat-capacity theatre is the perfect setting for the sharing of intimate stories with strangers. Irreverent at times, poignant at others; both joyful and heartrending, the theatre’s latest production, “Pony” — written by Eloise Snape, starring Briallen Clarke, and directed by Anthea Williams — is as wonderful a production as possibly anything else the small Kings Cross theatre has seen.
Beautifully written and confidently delivered, “Pony” follows Hazel, “a delusional, reality TV-obsessed fantasist who swears like a sailor and has a fondness for greased-up male strippers”, as she works through the physical and psychological demands of bringing a baby into your life. Set and costume designer, Isabel Hudson, makes the most of a small stage, the single pony structure on stage at once whimsical and imposing; and lighting designer, Verity Hampson, and composer and sound designer, Me-Lee Hay, both ought to be congratulated for expertly guiding the oscillating pace and emotions of the drama-comedy play. “Pony” will run at the Griffith Theatre Company between May 12 to June 17, griffiththeatre.com.au
Stay Here: In the Heart of Paris’ Most Iconic Neighbourhood, a New Hotel Injects Modernity and Colour
Inspired by the concept of the literary salon of yesteryear, the highly-anticipated opening of Le Grand Mazarin is set to take place this month. Embedded in the city’s famed Marais, a stone’s throw from the Seine, the hotel’s 50 rooms and 11 suites have been immaculately appointed to reflect both modern luxury and French classicism. “We wanted the hotel to feel as though it has always been a part of Le Marais’ landscape,” interior architect Martin Brudnizki has said of his inspiration for the hotel’s decor. “So we sought inspiration from the great houses of the aristocratic era, where figures from literature, art and music gathered in sumptuous residences, exchanging ideas and thoughts.”
Rest in rooms of thoughtfully layered linens and tapestries, cut in a gentle palette that offers repose after days exploring the city or making use of the hotel’s fitness room and extraordinary swimming pool. Michelin-starred Israeli chef, Assaf Granit, has put together his most personal and emotionally-charged menu yet at Boubalé (meaning “my little darling” in Yiddish), applying eclectic modernity to the Ashkenazi culinary tradition of his childhood. Finished with butler service, and the ability to bring small pets along, Le Grand Marais is the home all wish to have away from home. Le Grand Marais opens June 15, legrandmazarin.com
Eat This: A 10-Snack Seafood Course in the Heart of Sydney
In the heart of Sydney’s university and gallery-dotted Chippendale, The Old Clare Hotel is about to unveil its latest restaurant. Named Longshore, the restaurant’s focus is on contemporary dishes with Asian flavours and the utilisation of the freshest Australian seafood. In addition to an a la carte menu, there will be tasting menus of signature dishes customised for lunch and dinner—and perhaps most excitingly—a ten-course snack flight, served in two stages of both hot and cold plates.
The vision of head chef Jarrod Walsh and restaurant general manager Dorothy Lee, it is the first venture since their beloved diner, Hartsyard, in nearby Newtown closed. Patrons are encouraged to try the steamed whiting with xo pipi butter and green garlic, served with Longshore rye bread—or if you prefer something gamier, the kangaroo tartare with munties, Japanese mustard and wasabi— served with one of the 150 bottles of wine on offer. Sweet tooths will appreciate a playful cocktail menu, sustainably finished with leftover ingredients from the kitchen; and a desert menu that joyfully makes use of native ingredients and fruits. Longshore opens June 15, longshore.com.au
