Performance Dates
9 Sept 2003 – 27 Sept 2003September 2003
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9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 September
Details
- Playwright
- Wayne Tunks
- Director
- Wayne Tunks
AddressSBW Stables Theatre, Kings Cross
After a sellout season at the Parramatta Riverside Theatres in February this year, “Go West” is going east, to the SBW Stables Theatre from September 10. If you believe the song, then apparently “life is peaceful there”, but after the return season of “Go West”, you will realise it is anything but!
Written and directed by Blacktown boy Wayne Tunks, this play puts the spotlight onto the urban landscape and takes a close look at the inner workings of a dysfunctional Westie family. The Burns family will never win family of the year. Mother Donna (Oriana Panozzo) became an alcoholic after the death of her husband and her five children donÂ’t seem to be fairing any better. This is best demonstrated by her twin seventeen-year-old sons, Kevin (Sam OÂ’Dell) and Daniel (Nick Beech). Kevin likes to get together with his mates and a baseball bat and beat up gay men. While Daniel, a straight A student and his familyÂ’s only real hope, has just fallen in love with the boy he works with at his local record store. As Daniel and BenÂ’s (Kieran Foster) relationship starts to become serious, discovery by his family seems inevitable, and the results will be devastating.
“Go West” is a gritty and raw drama that left audiences mesmerized after it’s premiere season. It features such social issues as homophobia, violence and alcoholism, which is fairly “in your face” entertainment. But through the drama, “Go West” still has many light and comedic moments. This is particularly demonstrated through the character of Nicki (Natalie Hankinson), who is Daniel’s best friend, a zany girl whose ambition is to become the next hostess of Sale of the Century.
Wayne Tunks is fast developing a reputation as one of Sydney’s best independent stage writer/directors. His previous work has included two seasons of “Beyond the Door”, one at Mad Monkey Studios starring Rebecca Smart and Rodger Corser; and the most recent season in August at the Parramatta Riverside Theatres; “Aaaahhhh!!!! on the Aqua Queen”, comedy and improvisation nights on Sydney Harbour; and his other venture at the Riverside Theatre, “Words like Freedom, Love & Betrayal”. “Go West” is Wayne’s most personal work to date. After the initial season he was approached by top literary agent Selwa Anthony, and is currently penning his first novel.
“So many gay and lesbian stories are told in safe gay havens, but young gay people don’t grow up in these areas, they are from places such as Blacktown, Liverpool and Campbelltown. These people face all kinds of prejudice and ridicule; they have to be strong to make it through. Therefore they deserve to have stories told about them,” says Tunks.
Producer Anthea J Dennis has a strong background in all facets of the industry and jumped at the opportunity to work on “Go West” with Wayne Tunks. Her company, Anthea J Productions has developed a reputation for successfully promoting, producing, developing, creating and nurturing young Australian talent.
“It doesn’t matter where you’ve grown up, people identify with this story on many levels. “Go West” is real life, and real life can be frightening,” says Dennis.
All of the main cast are returning for this season of “Go West”, they have featured prominently on Australian stage and screen. The cast have featured as regulars on some top Australian television shows, including Home and Away and Sons and Daughters. The cast also features some young performers who you will see a great deal of in the future.
Bookings: 9250 7799
Written and directed by Blacktown boy Wayne Tunks, this play puts the spotlight onto the urban landscape and takes a close look at the inner workings of a dysfunctional Westie family. The Burns family will never win family of the year. Mother Donna (Oriana Panozzo) became an alcoholic after the death of her husband and her five children donÂ’t seem to be fairing any better. This is best demonstrated by her twin seventeen-year-old sons, Kevin (Sam OÂ’Dell) and Daniel (Nick Beech). Kevin likes to get together with his mates and a baseball bat and beat up gay men. While Daniel, a straight A student and his familyÂ’s only real hope, has just fallen in love with the boy he works with at his local record store. As Daniel and BenÂ’s (Kieran Foster) relationship starts to become serious, discovery by his family seems inevitable, and the results will be devastating.
“Go West” is a gritty and raw drama that left audiences mesmerized after it’s premiere season. It features such social issues as homophobia, violence and alcoholism, which is fairly “in your face” entertainment. But through the drama, “Go West” still has many light and comedic moments. This is particularly demonstrated through the character of Nicki (Natalie Hankinson), who is Daniel’s best friend, a zany girl whose ambition is to become the next hostess of Sale of the Century.
Wayne Tunks is fast developing a reputation as one of Sydney’s best independent stage writer/directors. His previous work has included two seasons of “Beyond the Door”, one at Mad Monkey Studios starring Rebecca Smart and Rodger Corser; and the most recent season in August at the Parramatta Riverside Theatres; “Aaaahhhh!!!! on the Aqua Queen”, comedy and improvisation nights on Sydney Harbour; and his other venture at the Riverside Theatre, “Words like Freedom, Love & Betrayal”. “Go West” is Wayne’s most personal work to date. After the initial season he was approached by top literary agent Selwa Anthony, and is currently penning his first novel.
“So many gay and lesbian stories are told in safe gay havens, but young gay people don’t grow up in these areas, they are from places such as Blacktown, Liverpool and Campbelltown. These people face all kinds of prejudice and ridicule; they have to be strong to make it through. Therefore they deserve to have stories told about them,” says Tunks.
Producer Anthea J Dennis has a strong background in all facets of the industry and jumped at the opportunity to work on “Go West” with Wayne Tunks. Her company, Anthea J Productions has developed a reputation for successfully promoting, producing, developing, creating and nurturing young Australian talent.
“It doesn’t matter where you’ve grown up, people identify with this story on many levels. “Go West” is real life, and real life can be frightening,” says Dennis.
All of the main cast are returning for this season of “Go West”, they have featured prominently on Australian stage and screen. The cast have featured as regulars on some top Australian television shows, including Home and Away and Sons and Daughters. The cast also features some young performers who you will see a great deal of in the future.
Bookings: 9250 7799
Bookings
This production has concluded. Contact details are not available for past events.