By Hollie Harris
Karen Lee Roberts is no stranger to struggle. Battling bi-polar disorder for more than twenty years, she credits her artistic practice for her hard-won stability and prosperity.
This May, Sunshine Coast audiences can connect with Karen’s latest work, a cabaret piece titled “It’s Not Easy Being Green”. Sharing the stage with legendary jazz/blues pianist Jeff Usher, the work is a fun and intriguing look deep into the twisted rabbit hole that is the human psyche.
“I’m excited to be producing this cabaret as part of the Anywhere Theatre Festival,” says Karen. “My work has always been about breaking down barriers to talking about mental wellness, and the non-conventional settings of the Anywhere Theatre Festival suit the work well.”
This May, “It’s Not Easy Being Green” will be staged in three venues on the Sunshine Coast set up to accommodate for the live performance.
“The work is really designed to be most effective when audience members can go on the ride with me,” says Karen. “I want them to engage with the songs and content and experience the raw trauma and brilliant ecstasy of life. “
The Cabaret takes audiences through flirtatious interactions, yoga (with a little mania on the side), beautiful blues, a heap of social awkwardness, a lap dance and a quarter-marathon rap with beatbox accompaniment.
It’s Not Easy Being Green shows at Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre on May 19. Tickets and further information from: anywhere.is/green
