Spring Programme Explorations 2010
SPRING 2010 Newsletter 115 Hello and welcome to Spring! Always exciting at this time of year is La Mama’s Explorations Season, so be daring and don’t just take a risk… take several! Over the last 5 years more than half of our Explorations have gone on to develop into full seasons, both at La Mama itself and other theatres around the country. Our Spring Season welcomes back to La Mama a careful selection of Melbourne’s absolute finest creators, writers, directors and performers to cap off what has been a fantastic and successful 2010. Looking forward just a little, the La Mama car park will be transformed into an open extension of our garden thanks to the support of the City of Melbourne and the Government of Victoria through the Cultural Precincts Enhancement Fund. We are hoping it will be finished in time for the commencement of the 2011 Summer Season. See you at La Mama in the coming months.
Liz Jones C.E.O. & Artistic Director And on behalf of Pippa Bainbridge (company manager), Maureen Hartley (publicist / education coordinator), Lisa Höbartner & Bec Etchell (house managers), Louise Jones (marketing coordinator), Mary Helen Sassman & Caitlin Dullard (community producers), Fiona Wiseman & Nedd Jones (administration) and the Committee of Management: Catherine Hill, Dur-é Dara, Mark Rubbo, Caroline Lee, Tim Stitz, Rhonda Day, Emily Harms and Liz Jones
Target the shrink and swell of knots Tramstop at the end of the Universe World of Vintage The Cutting Boys Blackboard The Nanny School Silkworm Schism Last Songs Names of Bright Stars A Vague Trembling of Stars UnAustralia The Red Dress Show Home Stretch Ambiguous Mirrors The Girls in Grey The Lost Machine Snake Skin Fence The Interview A Most Worshipful Knight Dr. Blonde Three Theatre Pieces
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Owl in Spotlight Mag and Bag Foxholes of the Mind Twin Krash Test Kulture Special Melbourne Playback Fairweather Island Hearts Full of Rust Playreadings La Mama Musica La Mama for Kids La Mama Poetica Ticket Information
27 29 31 33 35 37 38 39 40 40 41 42 43 44
Chamber Made Opera in association with La Mama and Quiver present a creative development showing of
TARGET
Luke Paulding, Composer Performed by Quiver Rebecca Lane, Flute Aviva Endean, Clarinet Luke Paulding, Piano & Tuba Matthias Schack-Arnott, Percussion with guest Boy Soprano and Matthew Thomas, Baritone Brett Kelly, Conductor Margaret Cameron, Dramaturg Presented as a work-in-progress as part of La Mama’s Explorations Season. Come behind the scenes of a new chamber opera being made in the living room of Melbourne theatre, La Mama. TARGET reinterprets the ancient Greek myth of Ganymede, the most beautiful of mortals whom Zeus abducted in the form of an eagle to serve as his cup-bearer. Young composer Luke Paulding drags this myth into a contemporary context including fashion photo-shoots and underwear model advertisements.
created & performed by Ben Grant the lighter the twist, the greater the strength. he bends and slips to make it right. what’s the best hitch to be borne away? how many loops in a love note to life?
5.
Tram Stop at the end of the Universe Directed, written and produced by Roxana Fuentes with Tom Brok, Laura Hernandez, Johana Tierney & Florence Kasingeela Meet the everlasting Sun and the celestial Moon caught up in the middle of the Carlton redevelopment process. Understand the power of nature through the eyes of these two powerful persona living in the Carlton housing Commission flats.
World of Vintage Written & directed by Fiona Wheeler Performed by Grace Travaglia, Tania Lentini, Daniel Lammin and Jane Flanagan
Welcome to the World of Vintage! A sweet and sharp new romantic comedy set in a retro clothing store on Brunswick Street.
7.
Written and Directed by Daniel Lammin Featuring Jack Angwin, Oliver Coleman and Ilana Charnelle Gelbart A Theatre on a Horse Production Yuri and Max are best friends. They are two ordinary twentysomethings, living ordinary twentsomething lives. There is nothing extraordinary about them...until Yuri and Max do something very bad.
An unusual and uncompromising new work from the creators of Writing Angus.
Blackboard
How do you rewrite your history when the history you’ve been living is a lie? Inspired by true-life events, Blackboard, explores the aftermath of a double life.
written by Trudy Hellier performed by Heather Bolton 9.
The Nanny School Bev hopes to make a career change from a small actors agency to a nanny school but, in helping her students understand their place in the world, she creates the conditions for rebellion.
A rehearsed reading Written & directed by Peter Murphy. Performed by Jo-Anne Armstrong, Maureen Hartley and Germaine Wattis.
Silkworm:
A Story of Transformation Silkworm is a dynamic, physical theatre performance based on countless birth/life and death experiences of one man. The show reveals how a tragic life can transform into alchemical gold by action, patience and charism (gift). I’d like to acknowledge Ilan Abrahams for directing the first phase of Silkworm. This second phase is created & performed by Stev Fioretti.
11.
SCHISM
A collaboration between writer Melanie Bainbridge, auteur/performer Pippa Bainbridge and other artists
I watched them, day and night, and it was clear that despite their outward similarities, they were not growing together, as twins so often do. An exploration into the theories surrounding psychological rupture and the consequent division of bodily and psychic identities.
Last Songs
By Kate O’Brien A rehearsed reading performed by Jane Bayley & Carole Patullo Directed by Lloyd Jones Based on the life experience of Sydney writer Kate O’Brien, a sequel to the successful La Mama production of Out of the Blue in 2008. Poignant and penetrating this is a study of a married woman who fell deeply in love with a female colleague. It is also a revelation of the writer’s creativity and survival powers enduring three separate diagnoses of cancer over the past 15 years.
5:30pm on October 31 @ La Mama Theatre
Names of Bright Stars A new play by Robert Reid Maddy is not just a smart kid, she may be the smartest eleven year old in the world. When she goes missing from a school camp Tim, her dad, takes his flatmate, their mute friend and his ex wife out into the night to search for her. An exploration of themes of colonialism and the shifting nature of communication with and without words. A first draft reading.
5:30pm on November 7 @ La Mama Theatre
13.
A Vague Trembling of Stars Concept by Polly Sara Created and performed by Keira Lyons, Ellen Rijs, Polly Sara & Janine Watson “The bull and the bullfighter - each has his own orbit. And between these two orbits is a point of danger, the vertex of the terrible play” (Frederico Garcia Lorca).
A Vague Trembling of Stars is an exploration of Federico Garcia Lorca, the women presented in his trilogy (Blood Wedding, Yerma and The House of Bernarda Alba) and the fire that propels them towards life in the face of death. Presented by Red Moon Rising as part of La Mama’s Explorations Season.
By Reg Cribb Directed by Tim Nolan Production Management by Adrian Corbett
I still call Australia home....? Crulla Beach is home and playground to one and all. But when a lifesaver is beaten by a local youth of “middleeastern appearance,” some start to question who really is a “local?” And more importantly, who or what is a “real” Australian?
15.
The Red Dress Show (Part 1)
Inspired by her recent voice studies in Europe, Susan has invited Anastasia, John and Eliza to join her in improvising music, lights and design for a show that plays with eight songs by artists including Rufus Wainwright, The Pixies and Bernard Lavilliers. Singer/Performer: Susan Bamford Caleo Musician: Anastasia Russell-Head Lighting Design: John Ford Set and Costume Design: Eliza Donald
image Eliza Donald
Home Stretch written and performed by Tom Davies
A man finds himself running down a road at night not knowing who he is or why he’s running. Accompanied by dread and an unruly imagination he seeks the heart of the matter. But the more he discovers, the less he wants to.
17.
Ambiguous Mirrors
An unusual body. The silences in a family. Ducks gliding past rubbish. Inheritance. Questions packed into a suitcase. A poet and a puppet in search of a father. Written & performed by Andy Jackson Puppeteer Rachael Wenona Guy
The Girls in Grey Written & performed by Carolyn Bock and Helen Hopkins Directed by Karen Martin Dramaturge: Jodi Gallagher 1915 Sometimes it gets like that Like thousands of them Calling you at once Of course you do your best Worst are first And sometimes everything goes quiet And we all listen And we wait For that drone That whistling And then the thud And you wonder where it fell And who it got
19.
The Lost Machines Adam Simmons, an accomplished musician, premieres his latest work of a more visual and tactile nature - sculptural music box assemblages, similar in concept to player-pianos. Adam has composed the scores, which will be performed differently each night by the audience.
The development of this project has been supported by the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria
Snake Skin Fence Written by Suzi Mezei Directed by Laurence Stangio Performed by Rebecca Mezei Music by Scott Dunbabin
Set against a backdrop of racial violence, two women buckle under the weight of suburban fracture. A poetic exploration of contemporary Australia in transition.
21.
Performed by Matt O’Reilly, Emma Hale, Rachel Hale, Kate O’Reilly, Heath Pawley, Staniforth Ricketson & Matt Baker Stage Manager / Operator: Colleen Jeffery Media Designer: Alan Cole Matt O’Reilly’s playwriting debut begins with The Interview, a comedy of black set in the capricious world of Limbo where deals and compromises take place, as Eric discovers reincarnation is not everything it’s cracked up to be.
A Most Worshipful Knight Directed by Steven Schiller Stories of Lechery, Pride, Murder, Betrayal, Misogyny, Jealousy, Wrath (with a small Dash of Chivalry) The Other Knights of King Arthur.
23.
Dr. Blonde
A feel-good comedy exploring the serious social issue of ‘blondism’ and the joys of stalking. ʻWhen I reflect on my life as a blonde, I just can’t find any thoughts to think.’ She says. Performed by Scott Welsh, Sarah Walton & Genevieve Mary Victoria
THREE THEATRE PIECES disconnected, disconcerting, disrespectful
Devised and directed by Lloyd Jones These short exploratory performances will draw off the body of work involving non-text based theatre, which Lloyd Jones has developed with his ensemble at La Mama since 1973.
25.
a Terrible Comfort production
Owl in Spotlight
How Dort taught the house to behave Oct 20 - Nov 6 Designed and created by Terrible Comfort Voiced by Peter Houghton
Dort and her family finally move into their dream home but not everyone is happy about it. When her parents disappear and the House does its best to scare her off, Dort and her pet rabbit Chuck Norris, face some of the scariest, strangest nightmares that are let loose and roaming free. A Halloween show suitable for all ages Discount for audience who come in Halloween costumes
Wed, Sun 6:30pm / Thu, Fri, Sat 8:00pm La Mama Courthouse 27.
Oct 27 - Nov 7
by Barry Dickins Directed by Laurence Strangio Performed by Carmelina Di Guglielmo and Maria Portesi
Two wizened old women, both aged a hundred not out, squabble and squawk their way through scalding tea and budgie swings with hatred and love. ”Lasting about 30 arguments and two cupsa tea and a whole lotta bird whistlings and shit like that.” Perennial Dickins dialogue laced with swearing (… and a smattering of Calabrese for good measure). Wed, Sun 8:30pm / Thu, Sat 6:00pm / Fri 10:00pm La Mama Courthouse
29.
a Larrikin Ensemble Theatre production
Wed, Sun 6:30pm / Thu, Fri, Sat 8:00pm La Mama Courthouse
Nov 10 - Nov 21 Directed by Wolf Heidecker Performed by Peter Finlay, Joanne Davis, Sean Kavanagh, Ian Rooney, Claudia Clark Production Manager: Canada White Lighting Design by Rebecca Etchell Somewhere in suburban Australia, Frank, a veteran of the Vietnam war, is cracking under the strain of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). As he searches for understanding in the stories and friendships of fellow diggers, his wife Trish finds she must also sift through the past in order to look to the future. Playwright Bernard Clancy presents a wry, touching and uniquely Australian exploration of the effects of the Vietnam war on the men and women who lived through that time.
31.
TWIN Dec 1 - Dec 12 made by Olivia Bryant and Nicola Gunn sound designed by Camilla Maling set designed by Rowan Opat
Inspired by the true story of Jennifer and June Gibbons who were incarcerated in a mental institution for 13 years for asocial and criminal behaviour, TWIN is about two individual persons inexplicably entwined. TWIN is dark, unsettling and a little bit silly.
Wed, Sun 6:30pm / Thu, Fri, Sat 8:00pm La Mama Theatre 33.
Dec 2 - Dec 19 Devised and Performed by Komissar Kabaret & Canto Coro Directed & co-written by Ella Filar in collaboration with many story tellers Canto Coro Musical Director Tanya Heine Music and songs by Ella Filar, Ajak Kwai, Anthea Sidiropoulos and others While celebrating the “unique” diversity of Melbourne’s ”KRASH TEST KULTURE” and High on Cultural IN-fusion Komissar Kabaret comes face to face with the ugly face of racism – warts and all - and….
Shazza Bazza Chooka and Macca En route to Oodna-Bloody-Datta Crashed Head On While “Flashing a Brown Eye” At Abdul, Archie and Mustafa Mat Hattah Wed, Sun 6:30pm / Thu, Fri, Sat 8:00pm La Mama Courthouse
35.
Dec 15 - Dec 19
Created by Mary Helen Sassman and Emma Valente Performed by Mary Helen Sassman and Liz Jones Directed by Emma Valente Designed by Kate Davis Presented by THE RABBLE
A musical tale about the wretchedly banal. Mother and daughter; Goldie and Special are lack luster. An inadequate and bland duo with nothing to offer. They search for the divine through soft serve ice cream, the sacred through inflatable palm trees. At some point stupid, ugly Special will perform a miracle; Sexy, stressed out Goldie will slip with the electric knife; And there will there be a foot-tapping, heart-pumping, finger-clicking show stopper.
www.therabble.com.au
Wed, Sun 6:30pm / Thu, Fri, Sat 8:00pm La Mama Theatre 37. 37.
Melbourne Playback at La Mama Melbourne Playback is coming back to the La Mama Courthouse, bringing your stories to life. “You can’t get much closer to the source than the actors of Melbourne Playback Theatre Company, who take their inspiration from the stories of audience members, spoken aloud on the night, then turn them into instant theatre pieces...Whatever actually happens on the night, this is theatre that’s never the same twice.” THE AGE Led by Artistic Director Andrew Gray, Melbourne Playback is made up of some of Melbourne’s most exciting and acclaimed performers and musicians. Ensemble: Karen Berger, Clare Bartholomew, Vanessa Chapple, Ian David, Alan Davies, Danny Diesendorf, Rachael Dyson-McGregor, Mike McEvoy, Tobias Manderson-Galvin, Ernie Gruner, Petra Kalive, Michelle Nussey, Nikki Rydon, Alexandra Sangster, Tamara Saulwick & Tim Stitz. Nov 26 - Nov 28 @ La Mama Courthouse Fri & Sat 8pm, Sun 6pm Melbourne Playback Workshops at the La Mama Courthouse. Go to melbourneplayback.com.au for details
FAIRWEATHER ISLAND Dec 13 & 14
Devised, written and performed by Steven Gration Lighting Design by Anne-Maree Garcia Sound Design by Anne-Maree Garcia, Steve Gration & Shanene Ditton Hand-Prop Electrics by Grant White, Steve Gration Fairweather Island is a solo performance exploring the events and influences shaping the life, character and work of the artist-adventurer Ian Fairweather. Fairweather Island is the creative outcome of Steve’s PhD research into ‘The Praxis of the Solo Performer’, conducted through the School of Humanities, Griffith University, Queensland. We gratefully acknowledge the University of Queensland Press for permission to use excerpts from Nourma Abbott-Smith’s Ian Fairweather, Profile of an Artist and Ian Fairweather’s The Drunken Buddha; also Kettle’s Yard, University of Cambridge for the use of Ian Fairweather’s correspondence with Jim Ede; the Trustees of the Fairweather Estate; and the people of Bribie Island, Queensland. Fairweather Island was first performed at the Drama Theatre, Griffith University, Gold Coast campus on 10 April 2010 in partial fulfilment of Steven’s PhD.
La Mama Courthouse, both shows 7:30pm
39.
Richard Frankland and the Charcoal Club in association with La Mama present
Hearts Full of Rust Nov 1 & 2 @ La Mama Courthouse
Richard Frankland is a well known Gunditjamara renaissance man. He is a singer, writer, poet, filmmaker, activist, father, leader. Together with his band The Charcoal Club, he is launching a new album of songs in performance at the La Mama Courthouse Hearts Full of Rust takes the listener on a journey into the heart of this land we call Australia. It is a dream like place full of broken images, lost and found identities, lost and found love, fractured families, politics, environmental disaster, fear, beauty, children, hope, tears, memories, dispossession ‌‌.and a way to go.
The Charcoal Club is Richard Frankland, vocals, guitar, poetry; Andy Baylor, guitar, fiddle, vocals, mandolin; Monica Weightman, guitar ,vocals, Aurora Kurth, vocals, percussion, Andrew O Grady, double bass; Harry Lye, drums percussion. Both shows @ 7:30pm | Tickets $25 Full or $15 Conc
La Mama MUSICA Monday October 25 - La Mama Courthouse
Tony Hicks (wind instruments) solo; duo with Joanne Cannon (bassoon); trio with Stuart Favilla makes ‘Heretics Brew’ (an extention of the Bent Leather Band)
Monday November 22 - La Mama Courthouse
Bec Matthews (voice, West African strings) solo, plus ONE AFRICA: King Marong (voice, percussion) with Lamine Sonko (voice, guitar, perc.)
Monday December 20 - La Mama Courthouse
Gian Slater’s Fourteen Voices (brand new 14-voice ensemble)
$15 or $10 conc. (inc hot drinks and nibbly treats) All shows at La Mama Courthouse @ 7pm for 7:30pm performance 41.
‘Home is a Strange Place” Featuring - Ouyang Yu, Sandy Fitts, Geoff Lemon, Alana Kelsall & Peter Davis. Monday, november 15 at 8PM at La Mama Courthouse
How The Goose Broke Open Written by Nathan Curnow | Directed by Greg Carroll
A contempary version of Australia’s gruesome colonial past, inspired by the strange escape attempt of convict Billy Hunt at the Eaglehawk Neck Dog Chain on the Tasman Peninsular between Port Arthur and Hobart
a Playreading at 2pm on Nov 14 @ La Mama Theatre La Mama would like to thank the following for their generous support in 2010
The SandDragon’s Tail by Curious Legends Theatre Company
An inspiring show for children and older family, The SandDragon’s Tail is a mythical story about a young child’s adventure far away. Using puppetry, dance, live music and theatre, Curious Legends brings this imaginative and highly original tale to life. October 24 @ 11am and 2pm, La Mama Courthouse Suits ages 4-12. All tickets $12 www.curiouslegends.com.au
Jack and Molly’s Christmas Show Join early childhood educators and entertainers ‘Jack and Molly’ for some Christmas fun. With lots of cheery stories and songs including Jingle Bells, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Six White Boomers, The Ute Song, Do put Your Hat on Your Head, and the Five Days of Christmas. December 18th @ 11am, La Mama Theatre Suits ages 2-5. All tickets $12 www.jackandmolly.com
43.
Tickets Full $25 Conc. $15 Explorations $15 or 4 for $40 Bookings Book & Prepay Online www.lamama.com.au (follow links) Phone: 03 9347 6142 Information Phone: 03 9347 6948 Office Hours: Monday - Friday 10:30am - 5:30pm Venues La Mama Theatre 205 Faraday Street Carlton Melway Map 2B Ref G7 La Mama Courthouse 349 Drummond Street Carlton Melway Map 2B Ref G7
Phone bookings close @ 4pm (weekdays) & 2pm (weekends) on the day of the performance Please pick up your tickets 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the performance Please note that parking can be difficult (try Safeway or Carlton Clocktower, both off Drummond Street, or alternatively City of Melbourne parking in Elgin Street near Lygon) Both venues are just a short walk from Melbourne University tram stop at Faraday & Swanston Street La Mama is on Wurunjeri land, part of the Kulin nation, and the Commitee of Management, staff, and wider theatrical community acknowledge its traditional custodians La Mama Theatre is registered by the Heritage Council Victoria and has recieved National Trust status
www.lamama.com.au