Aug 29 2009
What are they doing to Derek?
By Kate Hennessy
[Warning. Don't watch video or click through to story if you're squeamish.]
Three-and-a-half seconds, give or take a nanosecond or two. That’s the finely calibrated length of time I could gaze at the man suspended from hooks before a shudder would arch up my spine and I’d turn my head away. Repeat.
But that was Wednesday night and I’m back for more. It’s Friday night at the Powerhouse and it’s all about fear. I’m here with my sister who politely refused a consent armband at the door. “I’ll hold your bag, OK?” she says.
We enter and watch the amazing Rob Valenti from Polymorph suspend, with a polygraph attached to measure his “fear”.
An hour later, we’re inching through the crowd towards the stage. DJ Gemma is playing darkly ambient tunes: lots of cello and whispered vocals. Then a friend in front turns and says “What is Derek doing?” at the same moment as another friend nudges me from behind, hissing: “What are they doing to Derek?”.
I don’t have an answer for either of them. But we’re all about to find out.
