The Blue Room Theatre - 2014 Season One by The Blue Room Theatre

Aprilâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;July Proudly supported by the City of Perth

Contents

Now

Uncle Jack Eleph nts Werewolf Priest! RabbitHead 3 Seeds Giving Up The Ghosts Confessions of a Pyromaniac The Complete Works Membership Book Now Sustainability Follow Us The Team

Image: Simon Pynt

For 25 years, The Blue Room Theatre has been the home of independent theatre and performance in WA. We’ve broken the rules, played with form, given globally renowned artists their foot in the door and sent hundreds of thousands of audience members home with longlasting memories. Every year, we present shows that focus on what’s happening now and what’s coming up next. They differ in tone, content and style but they’re similar in one way at least: they are a snapshot of the best emerging and established artists in WA, presenting new ideas and fresh visions. Now, we want you to get involved and come see them. Grab a drink at our bar and bring it in with you. Hang out afterwards and meet the artists. Discuss, debate and enjoy shows about you, created for you, by people just like you. Join us now.

Book Tickets Now:

Uncle Jack

An autobiographical account of the toll war takes on its veterans, told through the eyes of 17-year-old Doug, sent by his stoic father to work the land with Jack, a war veteran, during a harsh, hot summer. An unlikely friendship develops between the 38-year-old battler of the bush and bottle and the curious, hormonally-charged teen. Combining lyrical, poetic stories of war and tales of Doug’s father’s bravery, Uncle Jack is a coming-of-age tale told in perfect timing with the centenary of the ANZACs. Featuring extracts from the real wartime journal of Lieutenant Colonel William (Bill) Lonnie C.V.O., C.B.E., M.C. this snapshot of Australian history is an account of how storytelling and distance can change our perception of the men we think we know. Special Offer for RSL Members: $20 tickets are available online and at box-office. Please show your RSL Membership Card at box-office.

7pm Playwright: Ross Lonnie Producer: Talei Howell-Price Director: Soseh Yekanians Lighting Design: Tegan Evans Set Design: Pat Howe Sound Design: Carley Gagliardi Featuring: Ben Hall, Quintin George Marketing & Publicity: Adrienne Downes

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There’s an elephant in every room Some people talk too loud, or sing off key. Some people are bad cooks or never look clean. Some people are lousy in bed. Sometimes someone thinks they’re getting away with an affair, but everyone knows. Everyone. And of course, some people are jerks without ever knowing it. Is there something about everyone that is always seen but never mentioned? Something about you? In Tuskville there is an elephant sleeping in every bedroom, hiding in every basement and perching on every street post. Roger is an aspiring but talentless songwriter. Horton spends millions renovating while his partner knocks on doors for charity. Flora is trying to reincarnate her grandmother. With her own womb. From the award winning team of writer Jeffrey Jay Fowler and director Kathryn Osborne (Minnie and Mona Play Dead) comes Eleph nts, a surreal soap opera where people find the power to sing all the things they wish they could say.

8:30pm Director: Kathryn Osborne Writer: Jeffrey Jay Fowler Designer: Tarryn Gill Lighting Designer: Chris Isaacs Devised With: Gita Bezard, Adriane Daff, Brent Hill and Kathryn Osborne Songs By: Jeffrey Jay Fowler Songs Arranged By: Brett Smith Marketing & Publicity: Jamie Breen Featuring: Gita Bezard, Adriane Daff, Jeffrey Jay Fowler, Brett Smith and Pete Townsend

Image: Jamie Breen & Ryan Aldworth

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Werewolf Priest!

An original stage musical that spins the yarn of Huntersville, a small hamlet rotting from the inside out where a foul beast lurks in the woods, attacking villagers and travellers at each full moon.

The Lamentable Ballad of Father Hank Grimby

Its only shining light is Father Hank Grimby, a pious young man torn between his vows to God and his love for Brooke Gainsborough, the Mayor’s daughter. But Brooke is to be married to George Waggner, a somewhatrenowned explorer of the world… and as the town priest, it falls on Hank to perform the ceremony. Unfortunately for our ecclesiastical hero, he has fallen victim to the evil that stalks Huntersville, and will become a havoc-wreaking creature of the night at the next full moon. Combining special effects make-up with a wilfully wry story, sweeping songs and compelling characters, Werewolf Priest! is an extreme musical experience of cinematic proportions.

7pm Writer, Director & Producer: Levon J Polinelli Composer: Ash Gibson Greig Designer: Reece J Scott Production Manager & Stage Manager: Keaton Howe Lighting Designer: Elliot Chambers Featuring: Magnus Danger Magnus, Siobhan Dow-Hall, Sven Ironside, Stephen Lee, Adrian Lowe, Daniel Buckle Publicity: Kimberley Fulton

Image: Jeffrey Phillips

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RabbitHead

Alone in a house, two girls celebrate each other’s birthdays. They have a visitor. He has the head of a rabbit and the body of a man. RabbitHead has a present for each of them: one from the past, one from the future. Soon the three are playing a game of sugar-cube acid, tea-bag torture, birthdaycake bombs and macaroon murder. Sweet turns sour in Little y Theatre Co (Scent Tales, Second Hands) and whatshesaid’s RabbitHead, a dark comedy of strawberry jam, bloody hands and how hard it is to keep the past buried. Fairy-floss, fear and big-ears.

8:30pm Director: Ian Sinclair Producer: Georgia King Actor, Deviser & Producer: Holly Garvey, Violette Ayad Design: Tessa Darcey Lighting Design: Joe Lui Stage Manager: Donelle Gardiner Publicity: Thom Smyth

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3 Seeds

Playwright and poet Afeif Ismail takes us on a compelling journey through the landscape of his imagination, an odyssey populated by humanity’s absurdity. Infused with rich visual and verbal imagery and a streak of irony, Afeif playfully asks: which came first, the human or the seed? 3 Seeds features three distinct performances: In Godot’s Labyrinth, where Beckett meets Green Day’s ‘American Idiot’; Why Rats Live Under Our Roof, a slice of rambunctious African street theatre; and One Seed, wordless physical theatre with giant eggs. Produced by Always Working Artists (Apocalypse Perth, Matt Cameron’s Ruby Moon) with the creative team from The African Magician (Barking Gecko), 3 Seeds brings an African sensibility to contemporary Australian theatre. This production, transcreated from Arabic by Vivienne Glance and Afeif Ismail, is an artistic reworking of a literal translation that aims to keep the cultural richness of the original language, by working with the creator of the text.

7pm Written By: Afeif Ismail Transcreation: Vivienne Glance, Afeif Ismail Director: Jeremy Rice Designer: Cherie Hewson Sound: Joe Lui Music: Rabie Abdelmajed Featuring: Violette Ayad, Paul Grabovac, Janice Lim, Maitland Schnaars, Verity Softly, Kevin Mararo Wangai, Brianna Williams

Image: Ashley de Prazer

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Giving Up The Ghosts

Steve and Ruth find each other on an internet forum. A week later, after meeting each other face-to-face for the first time, they drive together to a secluded place. A place where they won’t be found, where they are safe to prepare for what is to come. Based on real events, Giving Up the Ghosts imagines the final hours of two fatally entwined lives. A prescient and delicate examination of two lost souls who challenge and defy each other in an attempt to define what may be their final minutes. Provocative new writing from an exciting emerging talent, this is not issue theatre, it’s not a ‘true story’ and it’s not an indictment. This meditative, sharp vignette is filled with thought, intelligence and a version of reality some would rather not see.

8:30pm Director: Joe Lui Writer: Sarah Young Producer: Sandi Buckley Designer: Sara Nives Chirichilli Featuring: Georgia King, Paul Grabovac

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Confessions of a Pyromaniac

Out in the beyond, Karla is ready for a new beginning. Moving in with her brother Yabu and his girlfriend Brooke might fuel the fresh start she’s been hoping for. Yabu wants to reconnect with his sister and find out more about the mother he never knew. Brooke wants to ignite her relationship and be an understanding, supportive girlfriend but she continually finds herself lost in translation. Why the need for change? Karla’s a recovering pyromaniac with a twitch, and the community beyond the smouldering black stump desperately want rid of her. A startlingly original production about creating a new life to escape a dark past. An Imprint Production in association with Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company.

7pm Writer: Matt Cooper Director & Producer: Shakara Walley

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The Complete Works

Want to see every show in this brochure at a discounted rate? This is your chance to lock in your seats for every show in the season, with the flexibility to change nights or give your ticket to a friend if you can’t make a show. The Complete Works ticket gets you priority access to our Members’ Nights, where you’ll enjoy snacks and bar specials before and after the show. Image: Simon Pynt

Best yet, you’ll save up to 40% on full price tickets as a member and 20% for non-members. Members: $105 General: $140 Buy online or call us on (08) 9227 7005 to get the Complete Works.

Membership

Don’t need member services but want to support us? Join our Giving Program and support the best new and emerging artists in WA.

“Independent theatres in WA need our support. They are where people experiment and learn. Without The Blue Room Theatre, there is no Matilda” – Tim Minchin. We give independent artists the opportunities and skills to succeed. For 25 years, The Blue Room Theatre has helped hundreds of writers, directors, producers, publicists, stage managers,

access to workshops alerts about applications discounted rehearsal space support advocacy Head to blueroom.org.au to find out more about becoming a Blue Room Theatre member. Image: Simon Pynt

technicians, designers, dancers and actors turn their ideas into reality. Unique in Australia, we support the advancement of careers and provide an unparalleled resource to emerging artists with big ideas and established artists who want to take new risks. Donate on our website, blueroom.org.au today and play your part in making these ideas happen.

25th Birthday

Book Now Our shows sell out fast so book in advance to secure your seats. Online: blueroom.org.au

on stage

For 25 years, The Blue Room Theatre has provided a stage for local, national and international artists. We’ve torn up the rule book, launched global hits, celebrated risk and championed the vision of new and emerging artists. Since 1989, we’ve been at the forefront of contemporary performance in WA and that’s where we remain.

Image: Simon Pynt

Call:

08 9227 7005

In Person:

Our box-office is open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm and one hour before show time.

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Sustainability

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We take being green seriously.

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We’ve phased out bottled water – there’s free filtered water available at our bar for all.

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We’ve replaced our foyer lights with low-wattage LEDs to reduce our power in public areas. St

We’re also continuing to do a lot behind the scenes, implementing changes from our recent energy audit to cut our environmental impact. Why? Because we want to take the lead and become WA’s first Carbon Neutral independent performance venue. Follow what we’re doing at blueroom.org.au/sustainability

1: The Blue Room Theatre 2: Perth Institute of Contemporary Art 3: Western Australia Museum 4: Art Gallery of Western Australia 5: Perth Train Station

For the latest news, special offers, back stage insights and exclusive content about our shows, follow us: eNewsletter: sign up on blueroom.org.au

Image: Simon Pynt

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The Team Executive Director: Kerry O’Sullivan Venue & Operations Manager: Roger Miller Producer: Susannah Day Acting Marketing Manager: Tom Lawlor Office & Front of House Manager: Sally Martin Finance Officer: Karen Connolly

Chair: Libby Klysz Treasurer: Tanya Payne Secretary: Mark Storen Damon Lockwood Philippa Maughan Lisa McCready Helen Munt Nathan Giles The Blue Room Theatre employs artists as front of house, bar and ushering staff on a casual basis; we couldn’t do it without them. Thank you!

Thanks to the Arts Angels and ushers for kindly volunteering their time. If you’d like to volunteer with us and see shows for free, email Sally on sally@blueroom.org.au for more information.

Image: Simon Pynt

We would like to acknowledge the generous support of our brochure and launch partners; Simon Pynt Photography, Chris Kotchie, Scott Print and Gene Eaton at Inland Studio. A special thanks to Thom Smyth, whose excellent work as Marketing Manager at The Blue Room Theatre brought new ideas, audience members and boundless energy to the organisation.

The Blue Room Theatre is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body; our development seasons are supported by the City of Perth

blueroom.org.au Perth Cultural Centre, 53 James St, Northbridge WA