Englishman, Irishman and American no joke in hostage play

Usually when you put an Englishman, Irishman and American together you expect a punchline – but the play Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me is far removed from a joke. Lawson Productions is bringing Frank McGuinness’ award-winning script to life in a professional show at the Old Mill Theatre this September, based on the true story of Irish writer Brian Keenan held captive in Lebanon for 4½ years. Director Peter Clark said the play focuses on the trials and tribulations of three men from different countries locked up in a room where truth and faith are a matter of perspective. “The three men strive for survival and attempt to maintain sanity under the watchful eye of their captors and supposed comrades,” he said. “If you remove rationality, do you rely on humour or insanity? The possibilities become endless. “It’s a timeless story showing the prevailing strength of the human spirit.” Originally produced on Broadway in 1992, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me scored a New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for best foreign play and Tony Award nominations for best play and best actor in play. Clark chose to direct the play at the suggestion of actor Kingsley Judd, who appears in the show. “After reading the play, I was convinced the play would have as much impact now for Perth audiences as it did when first performed 18 years ago,” he said. “It’s what I call real theatre for real people because the audience will laugh, cry, question and be provoked to react.” Joining Judd among the trio of actors in the cast are award-winning performers Stephen Lee and David Gregory. “It’s a small cast with very little movement, so the actors are absolutely everything,” Clark said. “Ensuring the characters are fully developed and making the relationships obvious are crucial to the play’s success. “Lighting will also be essential, to create a dingy effect without losing the actors.” Before coming to Perth in 2000, Clark trained as an actor in London and worked for several theatre companies, including one season with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Over the past 10 years, he has performed and directed shows with The Blue Room Theatre, Graduate Dramatic Society, Rechabites Hall, The Bakery, Playlovers and Class Act, Old Mill, Garrick and Marloo Theatres before establishing Lawson Productions two years ago. Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me plays at 8pm, September 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, October 1 and 2 with a 2pm matinee on September 25. Bookings on 9367 8719 or oldmilltheatre@iinet.net.au – tickets are $22.50, $17.50 concession. The heritage-listed Old Mill Theatre is on Mends Street, South Perth, opposite the Windsor Hotel.