Dark drama explores families in meltdown
Thu, 16 June 2011, 10:05 ammuswell1 post in thread
Dark drama explores families in meltdown
Thu, 16 June 2011, 10:05 amBlak Yak Theatre is taking a dark turn this June and July, exploring the psychology behind two families who are shaken by sudden violence.
Written by Pulitzer-prize winning American playwright Sam Shepard and directed by Matt Longman, A Lie of the Mind is set in the gritty American west and alternates between the families after a severe incident of spousal abuse.
Exploring family dysfunction and the nature of love, the play looks at the search for meaning after one of the characters suffers brain damage.
It won the 1986 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for best play and 1986 Drama Desk Award for outstanding play.
Longman said A Lie of the Mind looked at love between family and lovers in its true form, warts and all.
“As the story progresses, we see the relationships between the families in all their facets, wrong or right,” he said.
“Sam Shepard is a master playwright and incredible poet; the dialogue is vibrant and well-structured and every character has depth and is integral to the plot.
“The thought patterns and concerns of the characters themselves show a huge deal of empathy and understanding on the part of Shepard, who has written many family plays that are explorations of his own family.
“The play itself is enormously detailed, moving and thought-provoking.”
Involved with a variety of theatres since age 17, including Skipping Stone, BSX, Playlovers, Harbour, Old Mill, Deckchair, the WA Youth Theatre Company, Irish Theatre Players and the WA Academy of Performing Arts, Longman was nominated in the annual Finley Awards for directing The Pillowman last year.
He was also recently assistant director to Marisa Garreffa on Aesop and his Fables for Barking Gecko Theatre Company and will appear in Three Sisters at the Dolphin Theatre.
A Lie of the Mind plays at the Midland Junction Arts Centre at 8pm June 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, July 1 and 2, and the Old Mill Theatre at 8pm, July 6, 7, 8 and 9.
The cast features Alex Jones, Joy Northover, Julia Hern, Alan Kennedy, Ben Kotovski-Steele, David Bowyer, Marsha Holt and Michelle Berg.
Tickets are $20, $15 concession – book through https://blakyak.epicevent.com, blakyakbookings@gmail.com or call 0468 901 570.
The Midland Junction Arts Centre is on the corner of Cale Street and Great Eastern Highway, Midland. The Old Mill Theatre is on Mends Street, South Perth, opposite the Windsor Hotel.
muswellThu, 16 June 2011, 10:05 am
Blak Yak Theatre is taking a dark turn this June and July, exploring the psychology behind two families who are shaken by sudden violence.
Written by Pulitzer-prize winning American playwright Sam Shepard and directed by Matt Longman, A Lie of the Mind is set in the gritty American west and alternates between the families after a severe incident of spousal abuse.
Exploring family dysfunction and the nature of love, the play looks at the search for meaning after one of the characters suffers brain damage.
It won the 1986 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for best play and 1986 Drama Desk Award for outstanding play.
Longman said A Lie of the Mind looked at love between family and lovers in its true form, warts and all.
“As the story progresses, we see the relationships between the families in all their facets, wrong or right,” he said.
“Sam Shepard is a master playwright and incredible poet; the dialogue is vibrant and well-structured and every character has depth and is integral to the plot.
“The thought patterns and concerns of the characters themselves show a huge deal of empathy and understanding on the part of Shepard, who has written many family plays that are explorations of his own family.
“The play itself is enormously detailed, moving and thought-provoking.”
Involved with a variety of theatres since age 17, including Skipping Stone, BSX, Playlovers, Harbour, Old Mill, Deckchair, the WA Youth Theatre Company, Irish Theatre Players and the WA Academy of Performing Arts, Longman was nominated in the annual Finley Awards for directing The Pillowman last year.
He was also recently assistant director to Marisa Garreffa on Aesop and his Fables for Barking Gecko Theatre Company and will appear in Three Sisters at the Dolphin Theatre.
A Lie of the Mind plays at the Midland Junction Arts Centre at 8pm June 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, July 1 and 2, and the Old Mill Theatre at 8pm, July 6, 7, 8 and 9.
The cast features Alex Jones, Joy Northover, Julia Hern, Alan Kennedy, Ben Kotovski-Steele, David Bowyer, Marsha Holt and Michelle Berg.
Tickets are $20, $15 concession – book through https://blakyak.epicevent.com, blakyakbookings@gmail.com or call 0468 901 570.
The Midland Junction Arts Centre is on the corner of Cale Street and Great Eastern Highway, Midland. The Old Mill Theatre is on Mends Street, South Perth, opposite the Windsor Hotel.