PRODUCTION SPONSOR
Queensland Theatre Company presents a Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe production
Cast
Chenoa Deemal Performer
17 March – 31 March 2015
Jason Klarwein Director
Bille Brown Studio
Jessica Ross Designer
The 7 Stages of Grieving will run for approximately 55 minutes.
Daniel Anderson
Lighting Designer
Justin Harrison
Sound and Projection Designer
Kellie Lazarus Producer Maddie Nixon
Stage Manager
Warning Queensland Theatre Company would like to take this opportunity to alert members of the audience that this production and resource contains names and visual representations of people recently deceased, which may be distressing to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. All care has been taken to acquire the appropriate permission and show all proper respect.
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Recycle this program Cover: Binge Advertising + Design Cover Photography: Aaron Tait
Support Greening QTC and recycle this program after the performance in the recycling bins provided in the foyer. Read the program before the show at queenslandtheatre.com.au 1
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Welcome Sue Donnelly, Executive Director
Five Stages of Grieving, which was a starting point for the play. However this work is far more engaging and moving than the social work texts I’d studied. It is a generous gift to us as it eloquently exposes, with humour and poignancy, the day to day difficulties our First Nation’s people encounter. Dear Patron, Supporter and Friend, We’re extremely pleased to be commencing our GreenHouse season for the year with the much loved The 7 Stages of Grieving. Not only is the play celebrating its 20th anniversary but it’s being produced by our good friends The Grin and Tonic Theatre Troupe with whom we worked on Macbeth last year. I remember first seeing this play with Deborah Mailman (the co-author, along with our own Wesley) performing the role and was struck by its honesty and down-to-earth approach. As someone originally trained as a social worker I knew well Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’
Since 1995 the play has been performed countless times around Australia and overseas. Many of our great female Indigenous actors, including Ursula Yovich and Lisa Flanagan, have cut their teeth on this play and I have no doubt that the charming Chenoa Deemal – who performed with such grace as the mute Katrin in our production of Mother Courage and Her Children in 2013 – will go onto great success in her career. I am also proud to let you know that QTC is the first major theatre company in Australia to have a Reconciliation Action Plan and we are launching it, most appropriately, during this season.
As I write this we are packing up our Black Diggers set to go to Perth International Arts Festival which is the first stop of its six city national tour. Boston Marriage is travelling up the coast of Queensland on its tour and the Kelly gang are in rehearsals about to embark on a 39-venue tour. This is a big year for QTC and we’re very appreciative of the support you provide us – not only in purchasing season packages and individual tickets, but telling your friends and family to come along, and also your generous donations which make it possible for us to create great new work, which one day will hopefully be as iconic as The 7 Stages of Grieving. Theatre is a great investment. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Enjoy this deadly play, as well as our hospitality, and please say hello if we pass in the foyer. Cheers,
Sue 3
Deborah Mailman (Initial publicity image for The 7 Stages of Grieving)
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Writer's Note Wesley Enoch
It is hard to believe that it was 20 years ago that Deborah and I created this show. We had wanted to work together for a few years and when my grandmother died and my family went into mourning, both of us thought this was significant. We talked about grief and grieving rituals, and I remember the day when we were in the Brisbane City Council library doing research and we came upon Elisabeth K端bler-Ross' Five Stages of Grieving. We had both been influenced by Michael Williams when we had studied at QUT and his idea of the seven phases of Indigenous history. The linking of those two thoughts started a line of inquiry that delivered the concept that Indigenous history has been a long and complicated grieving process since colonisation. We went through a few other analytical processes where we wanted to highlight the traditional cultural practice of artform integration. Why say things in words when song or visuals could deliver a
stronger impact? Dance, song, music, visuals and storytelling became one. Each scene went through a process of identifying the emotional, narrative and artform aim of the material; improvising and discussing the possibilities; writing up the outcomes and bringing that to the floor; interrogating whether another artform was better suited to the material; editing and testing. It took two years of workshopping and testing before we came up with the first version of some of the material in 1994. We did a 30-minute version for the Shock of the New Festival at La Boite. The image on the front cover of the later published script was a publicity image we shot for that showing. The ice representing frozen tears that melted throughout the show and could not be returned to the pristine state from which they came. Time is linear and irreversible. We worked with Dramaturg Hilary Beaton to help shape the show further and eventually premiered the full
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show in 1995 at the Metro Arts Theatre. We committed to making this work the best it could be and the fledgling Kooemba Jdarra dedicated funds to reinvest in the development of the next iteration and subsequent tour. I guess the rest is history. This show has been performed, toured, studied and kept alive through reinterpretation for two decades because it speaks of universal themes. It is not autobiographical, though it borrows from Indigenous lives. It is not a traditional piece of storytelling, though it focuses on the evolution of traditional cultural practices. It is not a one woman show, it is a show about everywoman. On this 20th anniversary season, it is worth celebrating all the collaborators who brought this show to life and to all those who have championed it across the country and the world. There have been countless productions and it is humbling to see each version take its place in the history of this show.
Chenoa Deemal
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Director's Note Jason Klarwein
In the winter of 2010 I struggled with the idea of becoming the Artistic Director of The Grin and Tonic Theatre Troupe, a company that had given so much to the state of Queensland over the past 40 years. After many sleepless evenings and fitful dreamings, I realised that what had been presented was not a burden but a liberation. Think of a river. Clear, bubbling, unchanging, uniform and consistent with its edges. Now look below the surface. The unchanging form of the river is actually billions of water particles rushing to their journeys, constantly and consistently being replaced by different water particles. The river stays the same, but it is simultaneously, imperceptively, changing. This can be said of culture. The past, present and future are places we travel to, in our mind’s eye, everyday. It is not uncommon to hear a song and be transported to a time in your childhood. This ‘time travel’ and its power are what keeps culture
alive. Place, belonging and identity have a logical and concrete structure, which is ever changing beneath the surface. Theatre is made of the same stuff. I have wanted The Grin and Tonic Theatre Troupe to present The 7 Stages of Grieving, now a modern Australian classic in its 20th year, from the very moment I took on the Artistic Directorship of the company. The problem was I needed an actor up to the task. Chenoa Deemal is a quiet, polite and unassuming human, but underneath her placid smiling exterior is an actor of great depth and fire with whom I am very blessed to present this work. Chenoa is from the Thitharr Warra clan that is part of the Gugu Yimithirr tribe who reside in and around Hopevale, north of Cooktown in the Cape York Peninsula. The language you hear in our version of this play is Chenoa’s language. The design elements of the show are based on the rainbow coloured sands of Elim Beach where Chenoa grew up, the artworks of 7
the people there, and the tropical rainforests of Far North Queensland. We have taken the structure of this marvellously robust work and given it our experience. Our childhood and our pain. As well as the pain of generations of displaced First Peoples. We have even given the work a new ending in step with the ebb and flow of the rivers of theatre and culture. It is my hope that this play will have a very different ending … soon. An ending that all Australians can share, and be proud of.
Sensational Women Centre Stage Queensland Theatre Company’s 2015 DIVA program brings together five theatrical goddesses, each taking centre stage in their own tour-de-force performances. Each show captures the tale of a different woman. What is a DIVA?
She’s a woman of exceptional skill and charisma. A woman who commands her audience to listen. She is a warrior, traveller, artist, mother, superstar, wife, sister, worker, healer, magician, leader. She is everywoman. Featuring Cheona Deemal, Naomi Price, Margi Brown Ash, Carol Burns and Libby Munro, the series celebrates women in theatre as not only actors but creators and storytellers. Each actor has been involved in the creative development of the show. “The DIVA series was a way of putting women artists and their ambitions in the centre of a program. These women represent a cross section of local female talent. In most cases, we approached them, asked what they might want to achieve/ make/develop and created a space for that discussion to occur,” Wesley Enoch, our Artistic Director explains. “It is a bit of a sad indictment that a special space has been created but I thought that it was important given the way our Season 2015 program was shaping. I was finding that many of the works that were coming front and centre in the programming process were written and directed by men ... so it was important to balance it out.” Embrace your inner DIVA with this multi-tix package and bear witness to these sensational women centre stage. Choose from Rumour Has It, Home, Happy Days and Grounded.
Buy 2 DIVA tickets and save 10% (up to $12.40) Use promo TAKE10 Buy 3 DIVA tickets and save 15% (up to $27.90) Use promo TAKE15 Buy 4 DIVA tickets and save 20% (up to $49.60) Use promo TAKE20
To book call 1800 355 528 or visit queenslandtheatre.com.au
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Sensational Women Centre Stage
Naomi Price
RUMOUR HAS IT created by Adam Brunes & Naomi Price 8–11 July
HOME Margi Brown Ash
devised by Margi Brown Ash and Leah Mercer 14–25 July
HAPPY DAYS by Samuel Beckett 18 July–15 August Carol Burns
GROUNDED by George Brant 29 July–15 August Force of Circumstance
Libby Munro
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Biographies Wesley Enoch WRITER
Queensland Theatre Company: As Director: Black Diggers (co-production with Sydney Festival), Gasp!, Design For Living, Trollop, Mother Courage and Her Children (co-production with Queensland Performing Arts Centre), Managing Carmen (coproduction with Black Swan State Theatre Company), Head Full of Love, Elizabeth, Bombshells, Fountains Beyond, The Sunshine Club, Black-ed Up, Radiance (co-production with Kooemba Jdarra Indigenous Performing Arts). As Writer: The Sunshine Club. As Actor: One Woman’s Song. Other Credits: As Director: Sydney Theatre Company: The 7 Stages of Grieving, Black-ed Up, The Cherry Pickers; Company B: The Man From Mukinupin (co-production with Melbourne Theatre Company), Yibiyung, Black Medea (co-production with Malthouse Theatre), The Sapphires (co-production with Melbourne Theatre Company and remounted co-production with Black Swan State Theatre Company), Paul, Parramatta Girls, Capricornia, Conversations With The Dead, The Dreamers, Stolen; Erth: Nargun & The Stars (co-direction, co-production with Sydney Festival); Gondwana (coproduction with Queensland Performing Arts Centre); Queensland Performing Arts Centre: Red Earth, Blue Water (Associate Director); Nyurin Ga (Associate Director), Boat (for KITE Arts Education and Out of the Box Festival); Kooemba Jdarra Indigenous Performing Arts: The 7 Stages of Grieving, Bitin’ Back, The Dreamers (co-production with Brisbane Festival), Murri Love, Little White Dress (coproduction with Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Out of the Box Festival), A Life of Grace and Piety (coproduction with Just Us Theatre Ensemble), Changing Time (co-production with Salamanca Theatre Company), Up the Ladder (co-production with Melbourne Workers Theatre/ Festival of the Dreaming); Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company: Waltzing The Wilarra; Performing Lines/Sydney Festival: I Am Eora; Browns Mart Theatre/Jute Theatre/Totem Theatre: Head Full of Love; Malthouse Theatre: One Night, the Moon; Ilbijerri Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Cooperative: Rainbow’s End, Shrunken Iris; Windmill Performing Arts/ Adelaide Festival/Brisbane Festival/Sydney Festival/ Perth International Festival: Riverland; Legs on the Wall:
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Eora Crossing; Playbox Theatre: Stolen; Bell Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet; The Melbourne Workers’ Theatre; 1975. As Writer: The 7 Stages of Grieving (co-written with Deborah Mailman), Little White Dress, A Life of Grace and Piety, Black Medea, The Sunshine Club, Grace, The Story of the Miracles at Cookie’s Table. Positions: Artistic Director, Queensland Theatre Company 2010 - present, Trustee, Sydney Opera House 2006-2013, Associate Artistic Director, Company B 2007 - 2010, Artistic Director Australian Delegation, Festival of Pacific Arts 2008, Director, My Skin My Life, Opening Ceremony, Melbourne Commonwealth Games 2006, Artistic Director, Ilbijerri ATSI Theatre Co-op 2003-2006, Resident Director, Sydney Theatre Company 2000-2001, Artistic Director, Kooemba Jdarra Indigenous Performing Arts, 1994-1997. Awards: The Patrick White Award – The Story of the Miracles at Cookie’s Table, Helpmann Awards – Best Play and Best New Australian Work The Sapphires, Helpmann Award – Best Presentation For Children Riverland, Deadly Award – Best Direction The Sunshine Club, Matilda Award - Best Direction The Sunshine Club, Queensland Performing Arts Centre Award Contribution to Theatre.
Deborah Mailman WRITER
Queensland Theatre Company: Radiance, Gigi, One Woman’s Song. Other Credits: Company B Belvoir: Antigone, The Sapphires, Aliwa, The Small Poppies, As You Like It; Ensemble: STC Actors Company: Tales from the Vienna Woods, The Lost Echo, Mother Courage and Her Children, The Bourgeois Gentleman; Sydney Theatre Company: The 7 Stages of Grieving; Melbourne Theatre Company: The Sapphires; Bell Shakespeare Company: King Lear; La Boite: The Taming of the Shrew, The Conjurers; Kooemba Jdarra: The 7 Stages of Grieving, Murri Love; QUT/QPAT: Capricornia. Film: Oddball, Blinky Bill the Movie, The Darkside, The Sapphires, Mental, Bran Nue Dae, Lucky Miles, The Book of Revelation, Rabbit Proof Fence, Radiance, The Monkey’s Mask, The Third Note, Dear Claudia. Television: Redfern Now, It’s a Date (Series 2), Indigenous Sketch Comedy, Offspring (Series 1-5), Jack Irish III: Dead Point, Mabo, Rush (Series 2), Stupid Stupid Man, Two Twisted – “Soft Boiled Luck”, The Alice, Lonely Planet Going Bush, The Secret Life of Us (Series 1-4), Playschool, Message Stick, Bondi Banquet, A Village Called Chardonnay. Awards: Deadly Awards Nomination: Female
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Actor of the Year 2007; Helpmann Award – Best Actress in a Supporting Role The Lost Echo, Helpmann Award Nomination - Best Female Actor in a Play The Sapphires; Logie Award – Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series The Secret Life of Us (2004, 1998) Logie Nomination – Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series The Secret Life of Us (2002), AFI Awards – Best Actress Radiance; Film Critics Circle of Australia – Best Actress Radiance; Matilda Award Commendation The 7 Stages of Grieving.
Jason Klarwein DIRECTOR
Queensland Theatre Company: As Director: Orbit, This Hollow Crown. As Actor: Macbeth, Design For Living, Elizabeth - Almost By Chance a Woman, Fractions (co-production with HotHouse Theatre), Faustus (co-production with Bell Shakespeare Company), An Oak Tree, Thom Pain (based on nothing), A Streetcar Named Desire, God is a DJ, Phedra, The Fortunes of Richard Mahony, Bash, Mad Hercules, The Tragedy of King Richard the Second, Shopping and F$$$ing, The Skin of Our Teeth. Other Credits: As Director: The Arts Centre Gold Coast: Oh the Humanity and Other Exclamations; The Grin and Tonic Theatre Troupe: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth Versus the World, Romeo and Juliet (and Bottom), Livid, I Am Macbeth, Sunburn, Island Home, Revolt, Inferno, VS, Super/Natural, Romeo and Juliet, The Zoo Story, The Trial, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As Actor: Bell Shakespeare: Henry IV; Sydney Theatre Company: A Streetcar Named Desire; Belvoir St Theatre: Paul, Capricornia, Maralinga; La Boite Theatre Company: The Glass Menagerie, Half and Half, Cosi; Adelaide Festival Centre: A Thing Called Snake; The Grin and Tonic Theatre Troupe: The Trial, Monkey, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, Othello, Richard the Third, The Winter’s Tale, Henry the Sixth, Romeo and Juliet, Seasons. Television: The Devil's Playground, Slide, Sea Patrol, Australia Remembers, Cybergirl. Positions: Resident Director and Facilitator (Youth Ensemble), Queensland Theatre Company 2014-2015, Artistic Director: The Grin and Tonic Theatre Troupe 2010 – current; MEAA Queensland Branch Council 2011 - current, MEAA National Performers Committee 2013 - current, MEAA National Board Member 2015.
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Jessica Ross DESIGNER
Daniel Anderson LIGHTING DESIGNER
Queensland Theatre Company: As Design Assistant: Fractions, Toy Symphony (QUT secondment). Other Credits: As Production Designer: QUT: Mnemonic, The Cherry Orchard, Festen, Attempts on Her Life, The Golden Age; Metro Arts: He’s Seeing Other People Now; 23rd Productions: The Ugly One; Expressions Dance Company: Launch Pad. As Stage Designer: Stella Electrika: The New Dead: Medea Material; Ben Knapton: Gaijin. As Design Coordinator: Brisbane Festival. As Stage Manager: La Boite: Wind in the Willows, Pale Blue Dot, The Glass Menagerie; JUTE: Propelled; Kage: Sundowner; Brisbane Festival/Melbourne Festival: No Child; Two Thumbs Up/QTC: I am Here; Dead Puppet Society: The Harbinger. Television: As Standby Props: Toybox Training: Bachelor of Fine Arts (Technical Production), Honors (Drama), Queensland University of Technology. Queensland Theatre Company: As Lighting Designer: Bombshells, I Am Here (co-production with Two Thumbs Up and Multicultural Development Association), Face It, Seeding Bed 2012, Treasure Island (co-production with Matrix Theatre), This Hollow Crown, Saison de L’amour. As Assistant Lighting Designer: Boston Marriage. Other Credits: La Boite Theatre Company: Tender Napalm; Black Honey Company: Hot Brown Honey Burlesque, Twelve, Australian Booty, Who’s That Chik; JUTE Theatre Company: Like A Fishbone, Propelled, Sentinel Chickens; Brisbane Festival: Sunsuper Riverfire (2013); Elbow Room: Prehistoric; Motherboard Productions: Or Forever Hold Your Peace (co-production with La Boite Indie), 지하 Underground; Brisbane Marketing: Story Bridge Christmas Light Show (2013-2014), Story Bridge New Year’s Eve Light Show (2013-2014); Next Wave Festival: Tukre' (co-production with Raghav Handa), White Face (co-production with Carly Sheppard); Oscar Theatre Company: Spring Awakening; Fixate Productions: Haven; The Good Room: Rabbit; Brisbane Powerhouse: A Tender Thing (co-production with Full Circle Theatre); Metro Arts: He’s Seeing Other People Now. As Associate/ Assistant Lighting Designer: Opera Queensland: Cinderella
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or Goodness Triumphant; Brisbane Festival: Freeze Frame, Santos GLNG City of Lights (2012-2013), Santos City of Lights (2011); Legs on the Wall/Raw Dance Company: Beautiful Noise; Expressions Dance Company: Launch Pad. Positions: Artistic Associate – Black Honey Company. Awards: ArtStart Grant from the Australia Council for the Arts; Matilda Award Nomination - Bille Brown Award for Best Emerging Artist (2012). Training: Bachelor of Fine Arts (Technical Production), QUT; Bite the Big Apple Arts & Culture Management Tour; Kape Communications; Broadway Lighting Master Class – Live Design.
Justin Harrison SOUND AND PROJECTION DESIGNER
Queensland Theatre Company: Orbit, Youth Ensemble Showcase. Other Credits: Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe: Revolt, Inferno, Romeo and Juliet, I Am Macbeth, Livid, Super/Natural, Heartfail, Island Home, Romeo and Juliet versus The World, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth versus The World; State Library of Queensland: Garage Gamer. Film: Tailgate, The Little Things, Conscience for Cambodia, Don’t Show Mother. Television: Handball Heroes, Crimestoppers, Lotteries NSW Opera House, ACT for Kids, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Gold Coast Suns AFLC, Royal Children’s Hospital, Regent Cinema. Awards: Crime Stoppers International (Capetown), Brisbane Advertising and Design Club, Queensland New Filmmakers.
Chenoa Deemal
Queensland Theatre Company: Mother Courage and Her Children. Other Credits: Imaginary Theatre: The Voice in the Walls; Riverside Theatre Company: Rainbow’s End; Centre Stage: The Works of William Shakespeare by Chicks; Metro Arts: Red Sanctuary. Short Film: Transit. Television: Splatalot. Training: Advanced Diploma of Acting, ACPA; Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting), QUT.
PERFORMER
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Kellie Lazarus PRODUCER
Maddie Nixon STAGE MANAGER
Queensland Theatre Company: As Co-Producer: Queensland Theatre Company: Macbeth (coproduction with The Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe). As Actor: Design for Living, An Oak Tree, The Cherry Orchard, Show, The Hollow, Road to the She Devil’s Salon, The Orphanage Project, The Works, We Were Dancing, The Tragedy of King Richard II. Other Credits: As Producer: The Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe: Livid, Romeo and Juliet and Bottom, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth Verses the World, Epic, Absurd, I am Macbeth, I am Romeo and Juliet, Heartfail, Super/Natural, The Dream Project. As Director/Producer: South Bank Corporation: Twas the Night Before Christmas. As Actor: The Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe: Troilus and Cressida, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo and Juliet and Friends, Henry VI Parts II & III, Norman Lindsay Gallery Performance, Othello, The Ancient Mariner; B Sharp: A Family Affair. Television: Headland. Positions: General Manager, The Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe, Emerging Artist, Queensland Theatre Company 2003. Queensland Theatre Company: As Stage Manager: Queensland Premier’s Drama Award 2014, Youth Ensemble Showcase 2014. As Stage Management Secondment: Black Diggers (coproduction with Sydney Festival). Other Credits: As Stage Manager: Imaginary Theatre: The Voice In The Walls, La Boite Indie: Hedonism’s Second Album; Daniel Evans and Metro Arts: Awkward Conversation - Medea Redux. As Producer: Four Stripes and Adelaide Fringe: The Show Must Goon. Training: Bachelor of Fine Arts (Drama), QUT.
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Queensland Theatre Company presents a Dead Puppet Society production
“It’s sweet and hilarious regardless of your age.” AUSTRALIAN STAGE
Live music performed by Topology 5 – 17 May Bille Brown Studio, The GreenHouse Call 1800 355 528 queenslandtheatre.com.au
Developed with Brisbane Powerhouse. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. 19 Funding support for this project has been provided by The Jim Henson Foundation.
L-R: Kevin Spink, Steven Rooke
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From the Rehearsal Rooms The QTC’s headquarters are a hive of activity with preparations for our upcoming Mainstage, GreenHouse and touring shows well underway. On any given day, QTC is alive with multiple rehearsals, design briefings, creative developments and more across the building. The Kelly gang are back in business. Steven Rooke, Kevin Spink and Anthony Standish have been rehearsing for the last few weeks in preparation for a national tour and are now on the road. The show will be a slightly different offering to our Mainstage 2012 Season as writer, Matthew Ryan, has been working to finesse the brilliantly-paced script further. Kirk Page, Shaka Cook and Trevor Jamieson joined the Black Diggers cast ahead of the national tour which commenced at the start of March. The show is visiting Perth, Adelaide, Newcastle, Canberra, Melbourne and Bendigo. Designer Stephen Curtis presented the visual concept for Brisbane, also written by Matthew Ryan, to the Company last month. The Production team has its work cut out for them with an impressive array of 1940s costumes to sew and source plus one of the biggest sets for a QTC show to be built from scratch. Stephen previously designed intricate sets for Black Diggers and Boston Marriage, and his latest designs will not disappoint audiences. The scripts for Oedipus Doesn’t Live Here Any More and Country Song are in the final stages of creative development. Daniel Evans, Reg Cribb and Michael Tuahine are writing the last lines with support from our Programming team.
For more information on our touring shows or productions, please visit queenslandtheatre.com.au
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QTC ON TOUR Following a sell-out season at the Sydney Festival in 2014, followed by another successful season at the Brisbane Festival, QTC is proud to take Black Diggers to major interstate venues and festivals in 2015 including Perth Festival, Adelaide Festival, Melbourne, Canberra, Newcastle and Bendigo. Black Diggers tells the story of the thousand or so Indigenous soldiers who fought for the British Commonwealth in World War I. It is the story of these men - story of honour and sacrifice that has been covered up and almost forgotten.
20 – 21 March: Newcastle Civic Theatre, Newcastle 25 – 28 March: Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra 22 – 26 April: Melbourne Arts Centre, Melbourne 1 – 2 May: Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo PRODUCTION PARTNERS This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Major Festivals Initiative, managed by the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals, Sydney Festival and Brisbane Festival.
TOURING PARTNERS
Queensland Theatre Company’s tour of Black Diggers is supported by the Australian Government’s Anzac Centenary Arts and Culture Fund and Sibelco Australia
By Matthew Ryan
10 March – 22 July The new Australian play, Kelly, written by Queensland Playwright Matthew Ryan, received critical acclaim during its world premiere season as part of QTC’s 2012 Mainstage program. QTC is excited to take Kelly on a 19 week tour to 39 venues across Australia in 2015. Ned Kelly’s final night in prison is interrupted by the arrival of his brother Dan, disguised as a priest. Supposedly killed at the siege of Glenrowan, Dan is intent on moving north to Queensland and forgetting his past. To do so, he needs Ned’s blessing and forgiveness. But the last time they saw each other, Dan tried to shoot Ned dead. Kelly is a brutal confrontation between brothers - two titans of Australian history. QTC’s touring production of Kelly has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding 22 and advisory body. And is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts.
Photography: Branco Gaica
Originally produced by Queensland Theatre Company and Sydney Festival
QTC’s touring production of Kelly has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. And is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts.
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L-R: Jason Klarwein, Chenoa Deemal
Acknowledgements
The 7 Stages of Grieving Rehearsal Photography: Justin Harrison
To ensure that patrons enjoy the performance, management asks you to note: • Cameras, tape recorders and paging devices should not be used inside the auditorium. • Switch off alarms and mobile phones prior to the performance. • A single cough measures approximately 65 decibels of sound. The use of a handkerchief helps greatly to soften the sound.
Kelly Rehearsal Photography: David D'Arcy
The management reserves the right to refuse admission, also to make any alterations to the cast which may be rendered necessary by illness or other unavoidable causes.
A special thank you to Aunty Shirley Costello for her language and cultural guidance.
Patrons are advised that Bille Brown Studio has EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES, a FIRE ALARM system and EXIT passageways. In case of an alert, patrons should remain calm, look for the closest EXIT sign in GREEN, listen to and comply with directions given by the inhouse trained attendants and move in an orderly fashion to the open spaces outside the Centre. 24
PATRON His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC Governor of Queensland MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Richard Fotheringham (Chair) Julieanne Alroe (Deputy Chair) Kirstin Ferguson Erin Feros Simon Gallaher Peter Hudson Elizabeth Jameson Nathan Jarro ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Wesley Enoch EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Sue Donnelly Executive Assistant: Tammy Sleeth Resident Dramaturg: Louise Gough Resident Directors: Jason Klarwein and Andrea Moor Programming Manager/ Senior Producer: Katherine Hoepper Producer (New Work and Development): Shari Irwin Artistic Coordinator: Samantha French Touring and Regional Program Coordinator: Christine Johnstone Producer (Education and Youth Programs): Heidi Irvine Programming Project Officer: Laurel Collins Indigenous Mentor: Janine Matthews Chief Financial Officer: Michael Cullinan Systems Accountant: Roxanne Eden Finance Officer: Robin Koski
Marketing Manager: Yvonne Whittington Marketing Coordinator: Amanda Solomons Marketing Officer: Tanya Leadbetter Marketing Assistant: Yuverina Shewpersad Digital Marketing Officer: David D’Arcy Database Trainer and Supervisor: Dale Ric-Hansen Publicist: Kath Rose and Associates Ticketing Coordinator: Maggie Holmes Ticketing Officer: Maneka Singh Receptionist and Ticketing Officer: Donna Fields-Brown Philanthropy Manager: Amanda Jolly Corporate Partnerships Manager: Nikki Porter Development Coordinator: Dee Morris Researcher and Grant Writer: Danielle Bentley Production Manager: Toni Glynn Technical Coordinator: Daniel Maddison Production Coordinator: Scott Klupfel Head of Workshop: Peter Sands Company Carpenter/ Head Mechanist: John Pierce Carpenter: Jamie Bowman Head of Wardrobe: Vicki Martin Costume Supervisor: Natalie Ryner
Front of House and Events Supervisor: Deirdree Wallace Venue and Operations Supervisor: Julian Messer
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Associate Artists: Rod Ainsworth Candy Bowers Carol Burns Katherine Lyall-Watson David Morton Gayle MacGregor Paula Nazarski Ngoc Phan Lucas Stibbard
The 7 Stages of Grieving Production Staff Head Electrician: Clark Corby Sound Electrician: Sam Maher
FOUNDING DIRECTOR Alan Edwards, AM, MBE (1925 – 2003)
Queensland Theatre Company is a member of Live Performance Australia.
Our Indigenous Program The Seven Stages of Grieving is part of QTC’s award-winning Indigenous Program, known for producing and presenting exciting new Indigenous work and bringing it to audiences across Australia.
Roxanne McDonald, Head Full of Love, 2012
It’s a demonstration of our commitment to sharing these stories and making sure the voices of Indigenous artists are heard. If you’re interested in actively supporting our Indigenous Program please contact our Philanthropy Manager on 07 3010 7621.
QTC’s Head Full of Love will be presented across Australia in 2015 in a tour produced by Performing Lines.
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Thank You To Our Current Donors $10,000+
$5,000-$9,999
We thank all our generous donors for their contribution to our work.
1 Anonymous Patricia Byrne Pamela M Marx Bruce & Sue Shepherd
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$2,000-$4,999
$1,000-$1,999
Your assistance makes it possible for us to enrich the cultural life of our community.
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5 Anonymous Anne & Peter Allen Julieanne Alroe William Ash & Margi Brown Ash Lisa & William Bruce Mathieu & Anastasia Ellerby Erin Feros William & Claire Glasson David & Katrina King
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TRUST & FOUNDATIONS
Kevin & Joanne Holyoak Asif Khan Fleur Kingham John & Janice Logan Sarah Ludwig Stephen & Hana Mackie Debra & Patrick Mullins Leanne O’Shea & Peter Gilroy Tina Previtera Jeff Rolls & Barbara Houlihan Walter Sofronoff Peter & Nerida van de Graaff Greg & Sally Vickery
Tempe Keune Ross & Sophia Lamont Susan Learmonth & Bernard Curran Fred & Margaret Leditschke Andrew & Kate Lister B Lloyd Brad Mammino Ian & Rhyl McLeod Rob & Barbara Murray Denise O'Boyle Greg & Wendy O’Meara Diane & Robert Parcell
Blayne & Helen Pitts Bruce Richardson & Taninnuch Stone John Richardson & Kirsty Taylor Geoffrey Rush Gary Sawyer Phoebe Stephens Flowers Sandy Vigar & Martin Pearson Margaret & Norman Wicks Gillian Wilton Ian Yeo & Sylvia Alexander Sharon York & Mark Smith
$250-$499 15 Anonymous Leanne Austin Phil Barker Melissa Bennett Emma Benson Ethna Brown Margaret Byrne Michael & Margaret Clancy Christine Comans
Anthony Costantini June Craw OAM Michael Cullinan Eve Dyer Judi Ewings William & Lenore Ferguson Kate Foy Peter & Gay Gibson Anita Green
Andrea & Malcolm Hall-Brown David Hardidge Albert & Carmen Hili Katherine Hoepper Marc James Olwyn M Kerr Tammy S Linde Sandra McCullagh Carolyn McIlvenny
Hon. Tom McVeigh Sandra McVeigh Elizabeth Mellish Dee Morris & Reny Philip & Fran Morrison Darryl Nisbet Pacstars Allan Pidgeon Catherine Quinn
People Resourcing Donald Robertson Lyn & Joanne Scott Bronwyn Springer Coralie Van Straaten-Peretz VERTEC RAIL Amy Walduck D & J Woodward
Donations over $250 are acknowledged for 12 months from the date of donation. We appreciate and honour all contributions to our work. Visit queenslandtheatre.com.au or phone our Philanthropy Manager on 07 3010 7621 to find out how you can support our work. 28
Thanks to our Sponsors Government Partners
Presenting Sponsors
Production Sponsors
Building Enhancement Program
solar
Regional Sponsors
WorkPac Group
Season Sponsors
Season Supporters
Media Supporters
78 Montague Rd, South Brisbane Queensland Theatre Company presents a Grin & Tonic Theatre Troupe production
PO Box 3310 South Brisbane BC QLD 4101 Tel 07 3010 7600 Fax 07 3010 7699 Ticketing 1800 355 528 queenslandtheatre.com.au mail@queenslandtheatre.com.au
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Š The State of Queensland (Queensland Theatre Company) 2015 Disclaimer: Every endeavour has been made to ensure that the contents of this brochure are correct at the time of printing. However, things can change. Queensland Theatre Company reserves the right to vary advertised programs and to add, withdraw or substitute artists as necessary.