Featured image – Warren Ekermans as Bill, Brian May as Tom, and Michael Curnick as Bert
During the rough and tumble of childhood, most of us can recall a responsible adult saying something along the lines of “It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.” Usually this ends in a scratch or two, or maybe a bruise. But in the Sutherland Theatre Company’s latest production, the consequences of an innocent rough and tumble between a married couple results in something a lot more serious – and hilarity ensues.
Tom and Annabel are a reasonably happy married couple. One evening they have an argument as to who loves the other most. A rough and tumble follows, and Tom discovers to his horror that Annabel is dead.
So starts a hectic evening of black farce which also involves Tom’s policeman friend and his literary agent. It seems no woman can enter the house without rapidly becoming deceased. Annabel’s mother and Tom’s appalling landlady follow and disposal of bodies becomes an acute problem. The arrival of a grim police inspector complicates matters until a further corpse involves him too. The hysterical ending finds the stage littered with female corpses, frantic males and a potential fifth victim banging on the door. Continue reading THE UNVARNISHED TRUTH : BLACK COMEDY AT ITS BEST→
Benjamin Franklin once wrote that nothing in life is certain except death and taxes. With death comes a funeral, and The Sutherland Theatre Company’s upcoming production of the entertaining play A GOOD MAN shows what can happen when an everyday funeral goes horribly, hilariously wrong.
Written by American playwright Frederick Stroppel, A GOOD MAN opens on a hot summer day at The Good Shepherd Funeral Parlour, where funeral director Martin Lamb (played by Tony Girdler) is presiding over the wake of the late Walter Porteus. His dream of the perfect wake is undermined by his son Jimmy (Nathan Steel), whose interests are more romantic than funereal, and by the scheming Porteus family members who are already clashing over the will.
To further complicate the situation, the air-conditioning breaks down and the wrong body turns up in the casket, then a mysterious mourner turns up and a valuable piece of jewellery disappears. When the air-conditioning repairman pulls a gun and decides to hold them all hostage, things start to get really interesting.
Director Colleen Boyle has a wealth of experience directing comedies, and was attracted to the wonderful brand of black humour which is prominent in this show.
“The cast have perfectly captured the mood and are creating a zany, manic atmosphere at every rehearsal. We are lucky to have many experienced actors who are well versed in this style of play and know how to handle a farce. It’s also exciting to work with the younger performers, who are learning from the old pros and bringing a fresh angle to the production.”
Boyle can’t wait for audiences to see this amusing production.
“Old and young will love this play and will enjoy the chance to relax, laugh and forget their worries. And you can’t help feeling good about yourself when you see the absolutely appalling ways in which these crazy characters behave. Sit back and enjoy the hilarity!”
A GOOD MAN features a cast of experienced local performers including Nathan Steel, Tony Girdler, Christiane Brawley, Brian May, Sean Bermingham, Pauline Gardner,Laura BaileySarah Loxley, and David Delaney.
The show will play the Sutherland Memorial School of Arts from July 28 till August 6.
Tickets can be booked online via Try Booking- http://bit.ly/stcagoodman or by calling 9150 7574.
DATES
Dates: Friday 28 July @ 8pm, Saturday 29 July @ 2pm, Sunday 30 July @ 2pm, Thursday 3 August @ 8pm, Friday 4 August @ 8pm, Saturday 5 August @ 8pm, Sunday 6 August @ 2pm
The Sutherland Theatre Company is proudly presenting Andrew Morton’s heart-warming play, Bloom, at the Sutherland Memorial School of Arts from March 3-12.
Following the death of his father, 15-year-old Daniel and his mother Lisa are forced to move to an unfamiliar town. After a violent outburst at his new school, Daniel’s social worker Michelle suggests that he spend a week working with her father, Bobby, an urban gardener of several abandoned lots in the middle in the city.
A week soon turns into a few months and, as the two men spend the summer tending the gardens, they begin planting some much-needed hope in a neighbourhood plagued by blight and help each other heal old wounds.
A finalist at the Write Now festival and a winner of the Aurand Harris Memorial Playwriting Award, Bloom is a coming-of-age story about grief, growth and gardening.
Director Christiane Brawley chose the play because of its simple and relatable story about the power of human connection.
“The media is so full of material telling us of our cruelty and indifference to each other, but this story is about the positive ways that human interaction can enrich and revitalise us. I don’t think we can ever have too many reminders about the importance of kindness and family and friendship.”
The heart-warming story at the centre of the show has broad appeal.
“It is gently humorous and reminds us why it is good to be alive. It has characters and situations that everyone will recognise and a story which will make the audience smile and feel good.”
The multi-generational cast of talented local performers includes Graham Yates, Ben Moss, Mel Day, Grace Fabris and Emma Dalton.
PERFORMANCE TIMES –
Friday 3rd March @ 8pm Saturday 4th March @ 2pm Sunday 5th March @ 2pm Thursday 9th March @ 8pm Friday 10th March @ 8pm Saturday 11th March @ 8pm Sunday 12th March @ 2pm
Tickets are available from http://www.thesutherlandtheatrecompany.com.au or by calling (02) 9150 7574.
