The Blue Room Theatre - 2012 Season Two

Proudly supported by the City of Perth

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Welcome to The Blue Room Theatre Season TWO, 2012

DEC JUL–

Welcome to Season Two of 2012 – with nine productions to sink your teeth into there is plenty going on at The Blue Room Theatre right through to December.

We have had tremendous success already in 2012 with Summer Nights scooping up four Fringe World Awards including Best Independent Venue. Hope is the saddest won Best Theatre and has been accepted into the curated Fringe NYC as part of our ongoing partnership with The Present Company – we wish them well.

The artist is at the core of all our endeavours and with that in mind I would like to share part of a message about The Blue Room Theatre that Season artist Joe Lui posted on Facebook: …You guys enable everything that is beautiful in my increasingly beautiful adopted home.

If I said I would be nothing without your tireless endeavour, I would not be exaggerating. And I know many of us feel the same. So Thank you. If you aren’t yet a member. Or haven’t seen something here yet, you owe it to yourself. Remember that when you see a piece of theatre, or any work of art, you aren’t “supporting your friends” or doing anybody a favour. You’re doing YOU a favour.

I think that says it all. Come and see for yourself…

Kerry O’Sullivan, Executive Director

The Blue Room Bar Opening an hour before show time and well into the night, The Blue Room Bar is a relaxed and unpretentious place to unwind with friends before and after our shows.

Toasted sandwiches and snacks are available, with beers from Coopers Brewery and wines by Jane Brook Estate, plus a range of premium spirits, soft drinks and juices.

The bar is open to all ticketholders and you’re welcome to take drinks into the theatre space.

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All are welcome, and members can bring a friend at members’ price, enjoy beverage specials and complimentary catering – and see a great show.

The Blue Room Theatre is growing and changing – be a part of it on Members’ Night.

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Get all nine shows for just $135 – save $45.

If you aren’t able to attend a show, don’t stress…move to another night or transfer it to a friend!

Available online, by phone, or visit the Box Office.

Image: Vivienne Glance

The Cat in the Box 31 July – 18 Aug

Follow That Cat Productions present

The Cat in the Box

An artist, a scientist and a hippy are in a room. The door is locked. They don’t know how they got there or how to get out. Add a cockroach, a pile of junk and Schrodinger’s Cat; then sit back and watch the sparks fly.

When a millionaire joins them, the thin veneer of civil society is peeled back and the atmosphere becomes even more explosive!

This absurdist comedy is a darkly humorous clash between science and art; big business and spirituality. Can they get out of the room? Can they work out what is real?

Where’s that cat – is it alive or dead? And can anyone tell the difference?

“It’s only when you have certainty, that you’ll realise you never needed it in the first place.”

31~JUL G 18 AU

Preview Tue 31 July Members’ Night Wed 1 Aug Season Thu 2 – Sat 4 Aug Tue 7 – Sat 11 Aug Tue14 – Sat 18 Aug Meet the Artists Wed 8 Aug Time All shows 7pm Tickets Preview $15 Full $25 / Conc. $20 Blue Room Theatre Members: $20 / $15 Groups 6+ $20

Featuring James Helm, Summer Williams, Anna Brockway & Kingsley Judd | Directed by Mark Barford Produced & written by Vivienne Glance | Dramaturgy by John Aitken

Image: Shawn Tan

The Book Of Death 7 – 25 Aug

Renegade Productions present

The Book of Death

(A Story of Life)

Faced with the certainty of death, what hope can be found? What counts for a ‘life worth living’ when we know the end is inevitable?

Preview Tue 7 Aug

The Book of Death (A Story of Life) is a performative song cycle about finding what is affirming about existence when faced with life’s only absolute.

Members’ Night Wed 8 Aug

This new work by Renegade Productions – the acclaimed creators of Laryngectomy and Luminaire – weaves together performance, original live music, and the simple tale of a couple caught in a loveless relationship to create a cloth that is at once experimental and intimate, vulgar and beautiful.

This dreamlike show is designed to engage and enthral; to stimulate the senses while questioning life, death, and everything in between.

At the very end… is there any hope?

7~25 AUG

Season Thu 9 – Sat 11 Aug Tue 14 – Sat 18 Aug Tue 21 – Sat 25 Aug Meet the Artists Wed 15 Aug Time All shows 8:30pm Tickets Preview $15 Full $25 / Conc. $20 Blue Room Theatre Members: $20 / $15 Groups 6+ $20

Featuring Paul Grabovac, Ella Hetherington & Moana Lutton | Directed, written, sound & lighting design by Joe Lui Produced and stage managed by Matthew Marino | Music composed by Joe Lui and Moana Lutton as The Witch Hunt Set & props designed by Sara Chirichilli | Dramaturgy by Katya Shevtsov & Alexa Taylor

28 Aug – 15 Sept

Home

Image: Libby Edwards

The Broken Image Ensemble present

Home

“They think nothing will happen because they have shut the door...”

How do we find refuge when home is lost? Three young people come together to face an unexpected event and all its repercussions.

Working from Maurice Maeterlinck’s one-act play of the same name, The Broken Image Ensemble has devised a new work of exquisite beauty and hope.

The Broken Image Ensemble is a group of committed young emerging writer/performers who draw on eclectic influences and work with forwardthinking artists. They create theatre that embodies youthful spirit and bravery.

G~ 28 AU PT 15 SE

Preview Tue 28 Aug Members’ Night Wed 29 Aug Season Thu 30 – Sat 1 Sept Tue 4 – Sat 8 Sept Tue 11 – Sat 15 Sept Meet the Artists Wed 5 Sept Time All shows 7pm Tickets Preview $15 Full $25 / Conc. $20 Blue Room Theatre Members: $20 / $15 Groups 6+ $20

Directed by Sarah McKellar | TEXT by Michael Collins | Performed & devised by Holly Garvey, Caris Eves & Josh Magee Sound design by Will Slade | Lighting design by Chris Donnelly | Dramaturgy by Katya Shevtsov

Image: Brian Woltjen

The Polite Gentleman 4 – 22 Sept

theMOXYcollective present

The Polite Gentleman

Mouse sat on the bench across from his house. It had just gone dark.

He’d woken up that morning to find an address tattooed on his chest.

The reach of this man, this thing, was real.

How long had he been there?

Maybe all day. He just knew he wanted it…

He wanted more.

Infused with the blues, The Polite Gentleman is a magical tale about a man at the crossroads.

Absurd, surreal, enthralling.

Careful what you wish for, when the Devil comes a callin’ he may be in the oddest disguise…

Preview Tue 4 Sept

2 4~2 SEPT

Members’ Night Wed 5 Sept

Season Thu 6 – Sat 8 Sept Tue 11 – Sat 15 Sept Tue 18 – Sat 22 Sept Meet the Artists Wed 12 Sept Auslan interpreted Thurs 13 Sept Time All shows 8:30pm Tickets Preview $15 Full $25 / Conc. $20 Blue Room Theatre Members: $20 / $15 Groups 6+ $20

Written & performed by Mark Storen | Directed by Adam Mitchell | Design by Fiona Bruce Lighting design by Chris Donnelly | Production by Lisa McCready | Publicity by Marie Bout

25 Sept – 13 Oct

Tinkertown

Image Copyright: Sophia Muoio

The Comedians present

Tinkertown

Tammy’s father, Chester, is back after fifteen years. He’s kidnapped her at gunpoint and murdered her aunt and her mother. He thieves, kills, womanises and drinks.

But worst of all, he wants to bond.

PT~ 25 SE 13 OCT

Preview Tue 25 Sept Members’ Night Wed 26 Sept

Fresh from its Melbourne debut, Perth playwright Nathaniel Moncrieff’s “wonderful” (Sometimes Melbourne) and “witty” (The Age) black comedy follows hot on the heels of the Fringe World smash Sleepyhead –winner of a Writers’ Fellowship award.

Season Thu 27 – Sat 29 Sept Tue 2 – Sat 6 Oct Tue 9 – Sat 13 Oct Meet the Artists Wed 3 Oct

A heart-warming tale of murder, car chases, alcoholism, bad parenting and yaks – prepare yourself for the sad, funny and tragic ride to Tinkertown.

Time All shows 7pm Tickets Preview $15 Full $25 / Conc. $20 Blue Room Theatre Members: $20 / $15 Groups 6+ $20

Co-directed & written by Nathaniel Moncrieff | Co-directed & produced by Sam Farringdon | Production by Violette Ayad Lighting design by Joe Lui | Set & costume design by Sara Chirichilli | Visual & graphic design by Paul Dubczuk Make-up by Elizabeth Baladova

2 – 20 Oct

The Warrior and the Princess

Image: Shirley Van Sanden; Graphic design: Alex Manfrin

Blue Moose present

The Warrior and the Princess

“Even a hunter cannot kill a bird which flies to him for refuge.”

Europe 1939, World War II begins. Jewish refugees flee when Poland falls to Germany. As the war progresses and the Allied forces strike back, the Soviet Union and Germany threaten to invade the refugees’ fragile safe haven in Lithuania. With borders closing, the refugees are desperate; their future looks dire whichever force may invade.

But in times of injustice, help sometimes comes from unexpected sources…

The Warrior and the Princess is a story of courage and the sacrifice of one for the lives of many. This unique reimagining of true events blends performance with shadow play, puppetry, and live piano accompaniment to recreate this little-known story of hope amidst the devastation of World War II. “…each person must be judged on their character and nothing else.”

Preview Tue 2 Oct

2~20 OCT

Members’ Night Wed 3 Oct

Season Thu 4 – Sat 6 Oct Tue 9 – Sat 13 Oct Tue 16 – Sat 20 Oct Meet the Artists Wed 10 Oct Auslan interpreted Tues 9 Oct Time All shows 8:30pm Tickets Preview $15 Full $25 / Conc. $20 Blue Room Theatre Members: $20 / $15 Groups 6+ $20

Featuring Brian Liau, Rhoda Lopez, Monica Main & Ian Toyne | Written, produced & designed by Shirley Van Sanden Directed & designed by Monica Main | Live piano by Marty Laing | Production by Lisa McCready | Lighting design by Mike Nanning Puppet consultanT Sandy McKendrick

Photo: Bev Jensen

Eve 23 Oct – 10 Nov

The nest ensemble present

Eve

“If I were alive today, would you consider me mad?”

From the team behind the multi award-winning The Knowing of Mary Poppins, the nest ensemble bring the critically-acclaimed Eve to Perth, fresh from their hit Brisbane season.

Margi Brown Ash crawls beneath the skin of Australia’s Virginia Woolf: the enigmatic Eve Langley. This is the story of a writer caught somewhere between the domestic and the artistic; a story of a reluctant mother and passionate artist; a story for anyone who’s ever felt as if they never belonged. “…one of the finest examples of independent theatre you’d be likely to see anywhere in Australia this year” - Australian Stage “…a tour de force …a show not to be missed” - XS Entertainment “…this production is an absolute gem” - actorsgreenroom.net

~ 23 OCT 10 NOV

Preview Tue 23 Oct

Members’ Night Wed 24 Oct

Season Thu 25 – Sat 27 Oct Tue 30 Oct – Sat 3 Nov Tue 6 – Sat 10 Nov Meet the Artists Wed 31 Oct Auslan interpreted Thurs 1 Nov Time All shows 7pm Tickets Preview $15 Full $25 / Conc. $20 Blue Room Theatre Members: $20 / $15 Groups 6+ $20

“a sublime, evocative, rich, disturbing and tightly woven piece that will leave you intellectually reeling and profoundly inspired…” - Australian Stage Performed, written & co-devised by Margi Brown Ash | Directed & co-devised by Leah Mercer | Co-devised by Daniel Evans Designed by Tessa Darcey | Original design by Backwoods | Original Sound design by Travis Ash Produced by Alice Hatton | Musician: Roland Adeney

Photo: Lawrie Cullen-Tait

Picasso’s Goldfinch 30 Oct – 17 Nov

Tom Jeffcote presents

Picasso’s Goldfinch

“They ought to put out the eyes of painters as they do goldfinches in order that they can sing better” Pablo Picasso.

Wilson Stryker is a once-famous Australian painter who has lost the desire to paint. Reclusive and frustrated, he searches for the spark that defined his work.

Therese Wilson is an ambitious young journalist who arrives seeking a scoop interview. Their explosive encounter leads to an extraordinary meeting of minds, and takes them on a journey that questions notions of creativity and intimacy. This chance meeting sets Wilson and Therese on a path that will change them forever.

Finalist in the inaugural Richard Burton Playwriting Award.

Picasso’s Goldfinch will also feature as part of the Art Gallery of Western Australia’s Picasso to Warhol: Fourteen Modern Masters exhibition from New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

Preview Tue 30 Oct

~ 30 OCT 17 NOV

Members’ Night Wed 31 Oct

Season Thu 1 – Sat 3 Nov Tue 6 – Sat 10 Nov Tue 13 – Sat 17 Nov Meet the Artists Wed 7 Nov Auslan interpreted Tues 6 Nov Time All shows 8:30pm Tickets Preview $15 Full $25 / Conc. $20 Blue Room Theatre Members: $20 / $15 Groups 6+ $20

Exclusive pre-season performance: October 25. Tickets for this one-off performance available through Ticketek.

Written & produced by Tom Jeffcote | Directed & designed by Lawrie Cullen-Tait

Photo: Stevie Cruz-Martin

Glengarry Glen Ross 20 Nov – 8 Dec

Little y Theatre Company present David Mamet’s

Glengarry Glen Ross

From the acclaimed team behind Scent Tales and Slut, Little y Theatre, comes this Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, presented for the first time in Western Australia with an all-female cast.

When lying and cheating are all in a day’s work, things can get desperate in the cutthroat world of real estate … especially when nobody’s buying.

Directed by Mark Storen, this ferocious comedy and drama explores ideas of power, greed, and survival . . . delivered in a most unexpected fashion!

ALWAYS BE CLOSING Practical sales maxim

BY ARRANGEMENT WITH ORiGiN TM THEATRICAL, ON BEHALF OF SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD

20 NOV EC ~8D

Preview Tue 20 Nov Members’ Night Wed 21 Nov Season Thu 22 – Sat 24 Nov Tue 27 Nov – Sat 1 Dec Tue 4 – Sat 8 Dec Meet the Artists Wed 28 Nov Time All shows 7pm Tickets Preview $15 Full $25 / Conc. $20 Blue Room Theatre Members: $20 / $15 Groups 6+ $20

Featuring Georgia King, Leanne Curran, Ella Hetherington, Alexandra Nell, Sarah McKellar, Verity Softly & Caris Eves Directed by Mark Storen | Costume & set design by Fiona Bruce | Sound design by Ben Collins & Andrew Weir Lighting design by Joe Lui | Stage management by Donelle Gardiner

Engage. Challenge. Excite. Surprise. Reflect.

City of Perth proud partners of The Blue Room Theatre

Photo: Neil Wallace

We help it happen

Blue How-To tickets Standard $25 Member $20 Concession $20 Backpacker $15 Groups 6+ $20 School groups $15 Student Rushtix $10 (available 10 mins before show with valid student card – seats permitting) BOOK www.blueroom.org.au Phone 08 9227 7005 or in person at our Box Office Memberships, The Complete Works subscriptions, donations and gift vouchers are also available online, by phone and in person.

School bookings We offer reduced price tickets to school groups, with one free teacher ticket per 10 students booked. Contact our Box Office for more info.

Show Time The Box Office opens an hour before show time. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to show time to collect your tickets.

All seating is unreserved. If you’re running late, give us a call. Many shows have a ‘no latecomers’ policy, and we cannot offer refunds or exchanges.

Access The Blue Room Theatre is a fully accessible venue, with street level access to our Box Office and lift access to our theatres and bar. We provide AUSLAN interpreted performances, honour

Companion Cards, and Guide Dogs are welcome. Please contact our Box Office to discuss your access needs.

Warnings If you have any concerns about content such as smoke, strobe or other lighting effects and adult material, please ask when booking. Warnings are displayed on our website and in the venue.

THE ULTIMATE (FREE) LIFESTYLE GUIDE FOR URBAN EXPLORERS Pick up your free copies at The Blue Room Theatre and all featured businesses in each area

PERTH CITY • MT LAWLEY/HIGHGATE/NORTHBRIDGE • LEEDERVILLE/SUBIACO/MT HAWTHORN • CLAREMONT/COTTESLOE/WESTERN SUBURBS • FREMANTLE

B l u e R o o m_ L U N A _ 2 0 1 2 . p d f

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Luna Palace Cinemas presenting the best in Australian and Contemporary cinema PERTH’S HOME OF FILM CULTURE including MONDAY DOUBLES, TALKING PICTURES filmmaker events, and Live in HD productions from the MET OPERA, NATIONAL THEATRE LONDON, and international ballet direct from THE BOLSHOI THEATRE OF RUSSIA and L’OPERA NATIONAL DE PARIS. Contact us for group functions and screenings.

Luna Cinemas and Cinema Paradiso are licensed venues offering a selection of boutique wines and beers for a perfect night out.

Go to www.lunapalace.com.au for further details

The Blue Room Theatre Wants You! Applications for our seasons are open to all, providing a unique opportunity to produce and perform innovative new work in a responsive and supportive environment.

A licensed canteen to rest and recuperate.

Share locally sourced food with a greater Mediterranean bent and drinks with a story.

Each season our shows are chosen by a panel of industry experts to receive a three-week run with technical, production and marketing support; a development and professional mentorship fund; and a significant split of box office sales.

Enjoy Bivouac’s own coffee blends while taking in the revolving showcase of emerging artists.

Become a member, join our mailing list, and like us on Facebook to keep in the loop.

For more info contact our Producer.

198 William Street, Northbridge www.bivouac.com.au

Susannah Day susannah@blueroom.org.au or 08 9227 7005

Become a Member Show your support and take out an annual membership. We’ve got several membership options, all of which can be topped up with a tax deductible donation.

You can become a member of The Blue Room Theatre from as little as $35 per year for a range of benefits including: Exclusive invitations, news and special offers – including Members’ Nights and The Complete Works subscriptions; Discounted tickets and drinks at The Blue Room Theatre year round; Discounted tickets to other live performance and film venues around town, including Perth Theatre Company, Black Swan State Theatre Company, Luna Palace Cinemas, Deckchair Theatre and PICA; Advice; advocacy; access to workshop/rehearsal spaces; voting rights at our AGM; and free access to Seasons, Summer Nights and auspice applications.

Memberships available: blueroom.org.au, at the Box Office, or on 08 9227 7005

Room Hire

Meet The Artists

The Blue Room Theatre offers some of the cheapest rehearsal space in Perth, and can rent rooms for workshops, auditions, seminars and more.

Ever wanted to know what it takes to stage a professional independent theatre show?

Members get even cheaper prices, and rehearsal space is provided free of charge for Season shows.

Talk to our Office Manager for more info: sally@blueroom.org.au or 08 9227 7005.

Our ‘Meet The Artists’ nights give you the opportunity to get up close with the cast and crew and find out how it’s all done.

These relaxed Q & A sessions happen on the 2nd Wednesday of each show (check the show pages for exact dates).

Capacity is strictly limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Blue Who’s Who STAFF (ABOVE L-R) Executive Director: Kerry O’Sullivan Venue and Operations Manager: Roger Miller Producer: Susannah Day Marketing Manager: Thom Smyth Office and Front of House Manager: Sally Martin Finance Officer: Karen Connolly

Board Chair:Natalie Jenkins Deputy Chair: Louanne Munz Treasurer: Tanya Payne Secretary: Libby Klysz Damon Lockwood Philippa Maughan Lisa McCready Helen Munt Mark Storen Thank you to our outgoing Board members David Hall and Chris Isaacs

Sponsors The Blue Room Theatre board and staff acknowledge the generous support of the Australia Council for the Arts; the Department of Culture and the Arts; our civic partner City of Perth; Jane Brook Estate Wines; Coopers; our design partner Non-Drowsy Design and print partner Scott Print.

Season TWO 2012 Selection Panel Renae Coles, Sean Walsh and Michelle Trainer Casual Staff The Blue Room Theatre employs a host of talented artists as our front of house, bar and ushering staff – we couldn’t do it without them.

Volunteers Thanks to our members, interns and the public who donate their time and energy graciously throughout the year, as well as the Arts Angels who help get these brochures out to you.

Graphics and layout by Non-Drowsy Design.

Printed by Scott Print.

The Blue Room is a trading name of the Performing Arts Centre Society Inc.

The Blue Room Theatre Giving Program The Blue Room Theatre is a not-for-profit organisation that exists to support our members and the thriving independent Perth performance scene – and we’ve been doing it for over 20 years!

Any donation over $2 is fully tax deductible. We rely on your donations to continue to develop our programs and foster local talent, fund creative development workshops, provide training opportunities for staff and help our artists take the next step in their careers.

We accept donations of any size – every bit helps – and can also tailor personal or corporate sponsorship packages. Head to our website or contact Thom, our Marketing Manager (thom@blueroom.org.au // 08 9227 7005) for any donation enquiries.

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2013

Our award-winning summer performance season returns in 2013, featuring an incredible program of premium theatre, dance, storytelling and more at Fringe World Festival.

Join our mailing list, like us on Facebook, and keep up-to-date as we reveal the line-up of the choicest cuts Fringe has to offer.

Info / tickets / subscriptions / gifts:

www.blueroom.org.au 53 James Street Northbridge WA

Image Copyright: Sophia Muoio