A Russian prisoner and his guard play chess in 1917, young love blossoms at the Melbourne Cup in the ‘30s, the Vietnam War creeps into a school play in the ‘60s, two Olympic athletes flirt at the L.A. airport, a girl in a wheelchair, a dedicated teacher, a court mediator, a love-weary girl and a young man in an old house. All are connected through time, travel, history and bloodline in FUTURE SEEKERS, a new play by local playwright Carol Dance.
FUTURE SEEKERS breaks the mould of conventional theatre by incorporating music, a soiree atmosphere and a mix of theatrical styles in telling an incredible story that moves from revolutionary Russia to present-day Sydney.
Dance has blended a collection of her award-winning short plays (previously produced in Sydney, India and Malaysia) into one continuous story that is fun while thoughtful, local yet universal and dramatic as well as charming.
With a cast of four actors and one musician, FUTURE SEEKERS is being performed in the acoustically magnificent, and spectacularly located, Sydney Philharmonia Hall, Hickson Road, on Sydney Harbour and right in the centre of the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, a venue well served by public transport and ample parking.
The production stars Neveen Hanna, Sana’a Shaik, Eli Saad (all seen recently in Beirut Adrenaline at Belvoir Street) and Michael Wood (Journey’s End, The Local).
Grand pianist extraordinaire Philip Eames – composer, ABC Young Performer of the Year finalist – interweaves piano interludes around and through the scenes, highlighting the moods and suggesting locations.
Director Mark Langham (Amanda, Terra Nova and the film Luvvie) says The Future Seekers describes the play as being about ‘how we are the sum of all those who came before us: their dreams, hopes and fears.
“No one group has the monopoly on either the present or the future and we are all just adding our own little story to the bigger picture.”
Writer Carol Dance, enjoyed a previous career as a mediator where she felt tremendous empathy for people in dispute and despair.
“There is seldom anything-anywhere that is simply black and white. Every difficult person has a lovable, agreeable person hiding inside: my plays wrinkle out that hidden person.”
FUTURE SEEKERS opened last Thursday evening and has already had several performances. The reviews have been very favourable –
Jamelle Wells writing for Weekend Notes described the show as, ‘moving and powerful! I loved the intensity! Minimalist theatre at its best.”
Matthew Macdonald writing for The Buzz From Sydney wrote, ‘The cast should be commended for their flexibility! Heartwarming and honest! The piano pieces are perfectly performed by Philip Eamesanda!
Paul Gilchrist writing for Theatre Red wrote, ‘It is a real pleasure in watching four skilled actors. Pianist Philip Eames’ performance is beautiful. This is big theatre, presented simply… creates the magic of its wide-eyed wonder and the appeal of its optimism.’
The remaining performances for FUTURE SEEKERS are this Friday April 28 at 7:30 pm, Saturday April 29 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday April 30 at 5:00 pm at the Sydney Philharmonia Hall, Wharf 4/5 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay.
All tickets: $40 Students $30. Bookings: www.trybooking.com/OSSH
Visit www.futureseekers.net.au orwww.facebook.com/sctheatrepro