Sex Magick

Judges' comments

A workplace indiscretion sees Ard Panicker toppled from his career as physiotherapist to the sporting elite, landing in a metaphysical health spa, selling Ayurvedic rubdowns to yummy mummies in Bondi. From here, his quest to understand himself prompts him to travel to Kerala, a shift that sees Nicholas Brown incorporate multimedia and ancient Kathakali dance theatre, elements that combine to create an utterly new spectacle for our stages.

An ambitious work of sparkling originality, Brown’s vision is mind-meltingly colourful, daring and funny. He explores queerness, masculinity and South Asian Australian identity with verve and a distinct lack of regard for convention. Although undeniably wild, this piece offers persuasive insights into our contemporary predicament: what it is to look to the past in forging boldly ahead.