Darren Yap in between rehearsals for his production of ‘Next To Normal’Costume design in the making for the production of ‘Orlando’ directed by Kate Gaul
NIDA’s Parade Theatre is reopening, withDarren Yap directing ‘Next to Normal’ as the headline production for the October Season of Student Productions.
The award-winning NIDA alumnus (Directing, 1997) directed sell out productions such as Belvoir’s ‘Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam’, Griffin’s ‘Diving for Pearls’ and ‘Miracle City’ at The Hayes. He is workingalongside Australia’s queen of choreography and dance iconKelley Abbey (Happy Feet, Sweet Charity, E-Street) to bring the show to life.
‘After eight months without any rehearsals, I am so excited about getting back to work!’ said Darren. ‘We are rolling our sleeves up and getting ready.This is a piece that says ‘don’t give up’ and surely that’s a good message to say, particularly at this uncertain time.’
Nathan Bennett from Belvoir, Sylvie Payne MTC, Mike Rodriguez Time Out, Stephanie Hui and Patrick Goodwin.
Emma Diaz, Tyler Hawkins and Felix Johnson.
Playwright Katherine Thomson and producer Gil Appleton.
Robert Love from Parramatta Riverside Theatres, Joanne Kee, Executive Producer of National Theatres Parramatta, and John and Patricia Azarias, sponsors of the Lysicrates Prize presented by the Griffin Theatre
Karen Rogers General Manager, Lee Lewis Artistic Director and Simon Wellington former GM.
Actors Emily Gruhl and Anthony Gooley
The inimitable composer Max Lambert.
Lucia Mastrantone (actor), Karen Rogers (GM Griffin), Gavin Robins (actor) and John Bashford (head of movement at NIDA).
Actors Ben Winspear, Catherine Davies, Faysal Bazzi and Olivia Rose.
All images by Ben Apfelbaum
Artistic Director Lee Lewis launched Season 2017 at a well attended industry function held on Monday night at the Cell Block Theatre within the National Art School in Darlinghurst.
Three new plays by Australian playwrights will have their premieres. Ross Mueller navigates the world of office politics in A Strategic Plan, Declan Greene takes farce to new extremes in The Homosexuals and Michele Lee explores the different relationships that migrants of different generations and backgrounds have with Australia in Rice.
The fourth Australian play will be a revival of one of the classics of the Australian theatre, Diving For Pearls, written by Katherine Thomson some twenty years ago with Darren Yap directing and Ursula Yovich in the lead role.
Griffin will also feature a number of independent productions around its main season. Legendary cabaret performer Robyn Archer will display her extraordinary talents bringing to life music from the classic cabaret repertoire.
Playwright David Williams will combine his talent for storytelling with his passion for football in Smurf in Wonderland which explores the worlds of sport and tribalism.
For more information about the season and to subscribe visit the Griffin Theatre online at http://www.griffintheatre.com.au or call 93613817.
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