Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands where this work was created and performed, the Turrbal, Yuggera and Yugambeh people. We pay respect to the Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Please be aware that this production contains:
Coarse language, simulated violence, the use of prop guns and cigarettes and adult themes including mentions of domestic violence, substance abuse, sexism, racism and misogyny.
ProfessorBernard Lanskey Director, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University
As Conservatorium Director, it is a particular pleasure to be able to bring this first-time opportunity for our students in the Kingston Butter Factory. I first visited last year and was so impressed, not only by the space (which is amazing) but also by the people involved and the story of the project's development With Griffith University having a campus nearby in Logan - such a beautiful place - it is ideal to be able to bring a project into the university neighbourhood
This year has also been the first with the Acting students in our main building on South Bank. I wanted to acknowledge their contributions to our community. In particular, I wanted to use this opportunity thank Jacqui Somerville and Claire Christian for all of their support across the year as we all adjust to our new contexts
Thank you for your support as audience in being here - we hope this will be the beginning of an important relationship for us all. Thank you, Kingston Butter Factory, for welcoming us so warmly.
Best wishes,
Professor Bernard Lanskey, Director, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.
Jacqui Somerville Program Director, QCGU Bachelor of Acting
As Program Director of the Bachelor of Acting it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to BUTTER an original piece of work created for and with the 2nd year Bachelor of acting students by David Burton and Claire Christian.
This project allows our students the opportunity to work closely with a living writer on the development of a new work for theatre. They experience the journey of the genesis of an idea and how that evolves into a fully-fledged production. Through contributing creatively to the material and the aesthetics of the production they learn what it means to be creative artists and thinkers.
This year our living writers were the award-winning Brisbane writer David Burton who initiated and harnessed the ideas in the first trimester and Claire Christian, a longtime writing partner of David’s and a Bachelor of acting staff member, who developed the ideas further, encouraging the students to think about what it is they want to say with this story, as well as flesh out the world of the play and characters.
Butter packs a punch. It is fun and wonderfully theatrical but asks some good questions and explores some challenging ideas. I am grateful to Claire for her creativity and guidance of the students to always think outside the box. She has unique skill in allowing our students to take up more space in the world, lean into what they see and find a voice for what they think.
Laura and the team at Kingston Butter Factory have been incredibly welcoming and helpful, it has been a joy to work in this building and I would welcome many more opportunities to do so. Thank you to Aaron Jeffery, and the QCGU technical team for their work on this production. I am constantly in awe of their ability to create and support what is needed and deeply appreciate the standards with which they all operate.
Buckle up and enjoy the ride that is Butter.
Jacqui Somerville Program Director Bachelor of Acting
Claire Christian Director’s Note
Welcome to Queenston, the fictional town that becomes the bedrock for Company 2025 to explore big questions around Australian identity in 2024
Butter is a big, delicious melting pot of wit, satire, heart, magical realism and bold commentary about our past and future It is a glorious reflection of the honesty, heart and passion of Company 2025. They are big thinkers who are committed to making art that speaks to the world that they truly hope to make better place, a commendable trait.
They have collaborated with both David and I to create these seventeen memorable characters and this absurdly brilliant little microcosm that reflects so much about Australia, and I want to celebrate their commitment and hard work
I would like to acknowledge and thank the brilliant Jacqui Somerville, Aaron Jeffrey, Keith Clark, Isaac Chapman, Michael Hibbard, the staff and team at Kingston Butter Factory who have helped us bring this world to life, your support has been greatly appreciated.
May you enjoy your time in Queenston and leave this place a little changed, because when you know better, you do butter
The team would like to acknowledge the following for helping bring this production to life: Fiona Brayshaw, Senior Sergeant: Ben Faint, Paul Fegan, The Kidd family, Ben Marshall, Kathy Van Gool, Simon Van Gool and the staff of ‘The Burrow’.
We would like to acknowledge and thank the staff from Kingston Butter Factory for their collaboration and support on this project.
Grace Faint, Darcy Jackson, Emma Kidd, Cecilia Varese SET & PROPS
Lachlan Brayshaw, Rory Fegan, Matthew Ianna
SOCIAL MEDIA, VIDEO & SOUND
Rhys Canham
POSTER CREATOR
Emma Kidd
STUDENTS’ PRODUCTION ROLES (CONT.)
MUSICAL COMPOSITION
Darcy Jackson
COMPOSITION
Ben Marshall
VOICE
Cameron Rixon and Rushad Katrak
MOVEMENT
Ari Banerjee, Angela Lal, Allegra Marino
DANCE
Ari Banerjee, Angela Lal, Allegra Marino
INTIMACY MANAGER
Jordana Wenke
STAGE MANAGEMENT
Rhys Canham, Jordana Wenke
RECOGNITION:
There is use of original copyrighted musical works throughout this play and the composed pieces take inspiration from already existing music
Photo Credit : Rhys Canham
Special thanks
Special thanks to Queensland Conservatorium supporters and donors.
Philanthropy plays a vital role at Queensland Conservatorium. Only through your support can our students experience valuable learning opportunities through productions such as this one. To invest in the future of music and performance in Queensland, contact us on +61 (0)7 5552 7218 or email giving@griffith.edu.au
Queensland Conservatorium thanks our generous donors and supporters. We would like to acknowledge our instrument bank donors supporting the students in tonight’s performance.
Make a donation
Conservatorium Staff
Director
Professor Bernard Lanskey
Deputy Director (Learning and Teaching)
Associate Professor
Donna Weston
Deputy Director (Research)
Dr Alexis Kallio
Head of Ensembles & Orchestral Conducting
Professor Peter Morris
Program Director, Bachelor of Acting
Jacqui Somerville
Lecturer in Acting
Claire Christian
Conservatorium Manager
Stuart Jones
Technical Team Leader
Cameron Hipwell
Front of House
Operations Manager
Michael Hibbard
Executive Officer (Engagement)
Dr Natalie Lewandowski-Cox
Program Coordinator (Ensembles) & Orchestra Manager
Daniel Fossi
Operations Administrator
Clare Wharton
Technical Officers
Keith Clark, Amy Hauser, Len McPherson, Dylan Smith, Tobias Trstenjak
