Perth Voice Interactive

STEAMPUNKS will invade Government House ballroom next weekend for the grand steampunk charity ball.

The science fiction subgenre imagines a world where steam-powered machinery brings technology to a Victorian era, with gentry wearing sprocket-laden gear going on wild adventures.

Medical researcher Ngaire Lowry and personal trainer Gavin Downes are two members of the Perth steampunk subculture.

Their interest was first fanned by artwork: they collected odds and ends over months to construct their elaborate costumes (though for those wishing to merely dip a toe in, an old-timey suit with some brass paraphernalia is an easy entrance point). Welding goggles are good too.

They’re inviting newbies along to the ball for the what they call “freeform interactive theatre,” with a storyline attached to the evening’s events.

“We don’t know how the events will go,” Ms Lowry smiles.

“Only the director knows the story,” Mr Downes adds. “But he doesn’t know how people will react.”

The group chose Lifeline as the beneficiary charity, as issues of anxiety and mental health were common in the community.

The ball is on May 24, for tickets and info Facebook “Grand steampunk charity ball”.

by DAVID BELL