A GROUP of independent artists are handing the microphone to the countless vacant buildings in Perth CBD by showcasing the stories of the people and communities behind them. 

Inspired by their own curiosity about the truth of these spaces, UP THERE Collective was formed during the group’s successful residency with WAAPA and the Fremantle Arts Centre in 2023. 

“I remember asking my mum when I was younger, ‘what is UP THERE?’,” artist Leah Robyn said.

 Everyone I asked would say something along the lines of ‘I don’t know, probably storage’, but they can’t all be for storage, surely?”. 

• UP THERE showcases the stories behind Perth’s vacancies. Photo by Gayle O’Leary

The following year the Collective independently presented its award-winning audio walking tour UP THERE (Walyalup), exploring the Walyalup/Fremantle CBD and its vacant spaces. 

“The Walyalup tour was our first time ever performing the show, so there were lots of unexpected moments… the community in Freo really care about the place they live, we found it so inspiring,” Robyn said.

UP THERE (Boorloo) is the second iteration of the Collective’s site responsive audio walking tour series investigating these empty and underutilised spaces, featuring in the Blue Room Theatre’s 2025 season. 

“When you arrive at our tour you will be given a set of headphones and then you will be guided on a walk through the CBD,” Robyn said.

“Through the headphones you will hear a tapestry of stories from members of the community about the empty and underutilised spaces in the city. 

What they once were, what they could be. Empty spaces have so many untold stories!” opportunities to sit and rest.

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by ASHTON HOOVER