no seasons
'No Seasons' is a new experimental work by Oliver Ayres exploring gender, IVF, disability, and parenthood.
“When I was nineteen years old, I had my eggs frozen before I started taking hormones - and prior to my diagnosis with a rare and chronic immune condition. Almost ten years later, and what seemed like a hypothetical future is slowly becoming my reality - but what is my ethical responsibility in bringing children into this world? And if I choose not to use my eggs to have my own children, can I live with myself if I donate them to other families, knowing that one day they may search for their biological mother - and find their father instead.”
Each audience member will be asked to choose from three options before entering the theatre: ‘I am a parent/step-parent/guardian etc.’, ‘I am not, but I may be someday’ and ‘I am not and I never will be’.
AWARDS
2025
Best Experimental Work (Melbourne Fringe) - Nominated
Access and Inclusion Award (Melbourne Fringe) - Winner
Creative team 2025
Performed and Created by: Oliver Ayres
Produced by: SKINT
Sound Design by: Justin Gardam & Rachel Lewindon
Lighting Design by: Sidney Younger
Set Design by: Ashley Reid
Choreography by: Penny Baron
Stage Management by: Liz Bird
Access Consultants: Peta Hooke & Karan Nagrani
AUDIENCE TESTIMONIALS
‘Moved to my core and hypnotised… still am days later.’
‘A deeply moving piece of theatre that made me think and feel in equal measure, also the set was delicious.’
‘Truly unlike anything I have ever seen with a wonderful central performance.’
‘Oliver Ayres is an incredible creative, performer and advocate. The entire team has created a stunning piece, SKINT is a powerhouse and Rachel Lewindon and Justin Gardam’s sound work is unmatched.’
‘So moving, thank you Kaite and Ollie for your vulnerability.’
‘A beautifully curated piece.’
‘Such a tender piece of theatre, I was genuinely moved to tears. So so beautiful and poignant.’
‘The most moving piece of theatre I’ve seen in a long time. Taking each individual on a different journey - a must see.’
‘What a remarkable piece of theatre, truly one of the best performances I have had the honour to witness. Every single person on this earth deserves to bear witness to Ollie’s creative genius. Wow.’
‘They have a skill of putting audience members in a trance, with incredible physical theatre, visual design and deeply moving anecdotes. It was perfectly personal and universal.’
‘Hugely moving and impactful. There is no other show like it and it will stay with you long after the ripples stop.’
‘FABBBBB! I cried like a baby.’
‘If you want to experience theatre at its purest and most cutting edge, check out No Seasons. Ollie’s performance will stay with you long after the applause has faded. Sublime. Heartfelt and moving.’
‘Beautifully considered piece. It felt very special to be let in on people’s lives in such an intimate, honest way. The design elements supporting the story were also deeply beautiful.’
‘Breathtaking. Human. Enveloping. Oliver and company have created an experience unlike any other, telling a story about parenthood with such beauty, grace and brilliance. Bravo bravo.’
‘Moving, impactful and intimate. I went with two loved ones and we all had a different relationship to parenthood and had such different and beautiful experiences of the work. This was extraordinary.’
‘Heart wrenching and deeply personal, this brilliant piece creatively and boldly tells three seperate and beautiful stories. I was entranced. This was one of the most profound pieces of theatre I’ve seen.’
‘This show touched so many facets of my being. I can’t express how moving and powerful it was. I feel like everyone needs to see this show. It’s so utterly human and I felt so held in a crowded room.’
TOURING HISTORY
2025
Melbourne Fringe Festival (Meat Market Hub), VIC, Australia
‘An important and moving piece of theatre I haven’t stopped thinking about. Cannot recommend enough.’
‘Gentle, beautiful and thought-provoking. Oliver provides the audience the choice of three different viewpoints in which to view the show, effectively making his work relateable to anyone.’
‘An incredibly moving performance. Each moment a confession and ethical dilemma. So beautifully written and designed. I will be thinking about this important work for a long time. Highly recommend.’
‘A sensitive and thought-provoking work, meticulously staged to provide a truly unique audience experience. I left wanting to go back and experience another viewpoint. Congratulations to Ollie and team.’
‘The delicate, truly caring way in which the audience was held spoke to something so profoundly kind, in the truest sense, I felt my heart get heavy. Very beautiful.’
‘Vulnerable, moving, and completely immersing. Hard to fathom the creation of this piece, and just so incredible to see it all come together. A must see.’
‘What an honest and enthralling work. A must see. I was moved to tears. Ollie is such a generous performer, and the design elements are also incredibly affective.’
‘This was simply breathtaking. A visually stunning and emotionally beautiful journey that encourages you to reflect on your past and future choices as Oliver very bravely shares his.
‘A beautiful show! So deeply personal, yet so universal in its themes that everyone walks away with a deeper insight into their own story. Innovative, original and stunning. A must see.’
‘Personal yet non-indulgent. Carries us out of the physical space; the audience is never left behind. “This is happening to me,” the artist says. “This is happening to all of us,” says the art.’
‘A visually and aurally stunning show. Deep, inspiring and beautiful - definitely bring along some tissues and a friend to hug after.’
‘Stunning and intimate. I loved it!’
‘So good I had to see it twice.’
‘Incredibly thoughtful, really spoke to the complexity of deciding to have kids as a queer, trans, disabled person. Felt connected to this story, appreciated the honesty and incredible use of multimedia.’
‘No Seasons was all at once empowering and devestating, relatable and perspective shifting. Accessibility is clearly a core part of what Ayres and his team care about, woven into the fabric of the show.’
‘This work is really special, and Oliver is certainly an artist to watch.’
‘An incredible and intimate look at what you give up to create a child, what you gain, and how do you make that descision as a trans man living in this turbulent world.’