Sea of Light

Patch Theatre creates visually captivating performances for 4–8 year olds, exploring how children see the world. Their works place children at the centre of the performance, promoting imagination, wonder, and discovery. Founded in South Australia in 1972, Patch has produced over 100 unique works and won countless awards. Patch performances have been presented across Australia and around the globe, capturing the imaginations of children worldwide. Each year, Patch provides inspirational, design-rich theatre experiences to over 50,000 children.

Elizabeth Yanyi Close is an Anangu woman from the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Language Groups, whose family links are to the communities of Pukutja and Amata in the APY Lands. Elizabeth was born in Adelaide but grew up in outback SA, returning to Adelaide to complete her secondary schooling, and attend University to complete a Bachelor of Nursing and a Graduate Certificate in Emergency Nursing. Elizabeth worked as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department of a busy Adelaide Metropolitan Hospital for a decade, while using art as a means of processing the intergenerational trauma and its impact on her family. In 2007, Elizabeth began to paint professionally and exhibit her work throughout Adelaide and her practice organically grew as she balanced nursing, art and motherhood. By 2014 she had built up a full-time arts practice, and after the birth of their second child, Elizabeth and her husband decided to move home to the APY so that they could immerse their children in their culture and language. Elizabeth reconnected with much of her Grandmothers family and learned much more about her family, her Tjukurpa and her Country from her Tjamu. This growth as an Aboriginal woman was profoundly reflected in the evolution of her artwork. Elizabeth is based in Adelaide and has three Purungu Skin Anangu children; Isaiah Yungana, Emmeline Tjikatu and Bentji Nganantju; and a dingo with no tail.

Geoff Cobham is the Artistic Director of Patch Theatre and one of Australia’s leading culture professionals, with over 40 years’ experience collaborating in all forms of theatre.

His artistic reputation both nationally and internationally comes from an outstanding multi-award-winning career working with several of Australia’s foremost arts organisations and events. He spent ten years as Associate Director of dance theatre Force Majeure, five years as resident designer at State Theatre Company South Australia and has worked in senior management roles at Sydney Festival, Adelaide Festival and WOMAD.

Geoff founded Bluebottle in 1998, an award-winning lighting design company which integrates outstanding lighting design into theatres, galleries, installations, architecture, exhibitions and music.

He has a long and notable history with Patch Theatre, having worked on a variety of productions including The Fastest Boy, Emily Loves to Bounce and Me & My Shadow before taking the reins as Artistic Director in 2018. While at Patch, Geoff has created in-theatre works ZOOOM, I Wish…, and Home and installation works The Lighthouse, Sea of Light, and Mirror Mirror.

Michelle ‘Maddog’ Delaney is a maker of things. Places, spaces, feelings and things – forests in disused buildings, themed bars and bespoke furniture, shattering plaster BMX wheels, Ediacaran based décor, rocket stands and giant cocoons, and more. She has worked as a designer, production manager, builder, scenic artist, stage manager, sourcer and sorcerer for major companies, festivals and independent artists. She likes nothing better than working in great teams to produce beautiful experiences. She is currently Maker in Residence at Patch Theatre and, with Geoff Cobham, has co-designed all of Patch’s shows since 2019.

Maddog’s design credits include Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2018–2021, Dark Mofo 2018 & 2019, Adelaide Festival 2013–2016, Darwin Festival 2010– 2015, Adelaide Fringe 2007–2009, Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2012, Red Sky Morning – State Theatre Company of South Australia (2016), and co-design with Meg Wilson on Life is Short and Long – Emma Beech and Vitalstatistix (2016).

Soulfully inspired, multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter, Rob Edwards combines the moving melodies of jazz, blues and R&B with the powerful art of storytelling to create a unique and authentic sound, sure to leave a lasting impression.

Rob combines his passion for culture and Indigenous roots and his family's story through the stolen generation, with his heavy influences of new wave soul makers Hiatus Kaiyote, Jordan Rakei, and Tom Misch to bring impactful messages supported by head-bopping grooves and tonal explorations. An ever-expanding sonic journey of raw emotion.

It has been an impactful few years for Rob, recently supporting artists such as Ash Grunwald, Budjerah, Jack Botts, Barkaa, Hot Potato Band, and WILSN. Also sharing stages with artists like King Stingray, Vika & Linda, and Christine Anu, as well as performances at Harvest Rock Festival 22' the Jobs & Skills Summit 22' at Parliament House Canberra, appearing at NSS stage WOMADelaide 23', Yabaardu Festival 22', 23' and South Australia’s NYE Light Up Festival. Not to mention multiple finalist for Best Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Artist in the SA Music Awards 21’ and 22’.

Not only this, Rob has an abundance of other musical experiences in recent years, which include Adelaide Fringe Official Launch, Mourning in The Morning Survival Day 22’, SA Ruby Awards Performance 22’, SANAA Festival 2022, multiple artist residencies through the Adelaide Fringe, main stage performance at NYE Light Up, Big Easy Blues Festival, Sydney Fringe, Space Jams Festival, a semi-finalist in the Byron Bay Bluesfest Busking Competition.

A lot has happened since his debut single, “Just Anyone”, which was released in 2017, Rob has been on quite a musical journey to bring this new and improved recipe to your ears. Expect to see Rob Edwards and his talented band on stages around the country, for a profound and energetic performance you won’t forget anytime soon.

With the long-awaited release of a truly raw and authentic song, “Searching” dives into the painful and all too common story of the Stolen Generation in Australia, and the effects it has left to be passed on from generation to generation.

This live stripped, studio take of the song, recorded in beautiful Sandbox Studio on a rainy Wellington day, captures the raw power of emotion that is carried on an all too real and recent issue. Rob uses the simplicity of just his voice and a piano to share this vulnerable and powerful song.

A strong follow-up from ‘Apmere’, This jazz-infused tale right from the heart, a powerful and rhythmically driven journey approaches the complex subject of pain and healing with our first nations people. This is a new era for Rob Edwards, with an EP of genre-blending sounds and dynamic storytelling due mid-this year. This is an exciting change from the last release in 2021, the lush RnB pop hit “Lonely Lover”, which was released on Inner Tribe Records and remixed by UK giant Kaidi Tatham.

"Rob’s graduated from Dallas Green disciple to a consummate cultivator of groove" - Pilerats

"He commands space and time with his voice" - OUSS Hits Podcast

Recent productions designed by Wendy Todd (Set & Costume Designs) The World Is Looking For You 2021, (Control Party: Set, Costume & Lighting Design), The Boy Who Talked To Dogs 2021, (Slingsby [Set Only]), Supernature, 2021, (Australian Dance Theatre), Lighthouse 2020, (Patch Theatre), North/South 2019 (Australian Dance Theatre), Picaresque 2019 (Robyn Archer, Adelaide Festival), Seashore 2019 (Sally Chance Dance / Dream Big), Emil & The Detectives 2017 (Slingsby [Set Only]), Long Tan 2017 (Brink/STC), The Young King 2016 (Slingsby), Touch’N’Go, 2016 (Sally Chance Dance), Cabaret Opening, Closing & Family Galas 2018 - 2016 (AFC), Babyteeth 2013, Blasted & Pornography 2012 (State Theatre Company of SA), Land & Sea 2012, (Brink Productions), Man Covets Bird 2010, The Tragical Life of Cheeseboy 2007 (Slingsby).

Event Design includes Adelaide Cabaret Festival Co-Event Designer, 2019 - 2015, (Adelaide Festival Centre); Club Designer, Blinc Bar 2015, Design Coordinator of Barrio, 2013 & 2012, Lola’s, 2014, Assistant Designer Persian Garden 2008, 2006, (Late Night Clubs of the Adelaide Festival), Adelaide Guitar Festival 2016, (AFC) Bowerbird Design Markets 2013 – 2017 (Biannual Event).