May 25, 2017 - Shoe Shuffle (April), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), Taming of the Shrew (Bianca) and Randomania with H
SWALLOW BY STEF SMITH
CO-PRESENTED WITH E.G. & METRO ARTS
25 MAY - 3 JUNE 2017 “… utterly compelling … about finding a way to cling on for dear life, muddle through and survive - but survive better.” The Guardian
NOTE FROM THE PRODUCER The moment I read this play I wanted to bring it to Brisbane audiences. It’s challenging and raw, but offers a message of hope, connection and regeneration. Strangers overcome their isolation to reach out, connect and ultimately help each other. I love Stef Smith’s writing – so poetic, playful at times, incisive and such spirit. Her characters are complex, contradictory and unconventional. This is the inaugural production for E.G., an independent company that provides a place for excellent artists to collaborate and make work with heart. Stace Callaghan joined us as Sam for the early stages of rehearsal and we were all very sad to see her withdraw due to complications from a recent medical procedure. She is making a slow and steady recovery and we look forward to sharing this work with her. Our trusted colleague, dear friend and excellent artist, Helen O’Leary stepped in late in the piece to create the role of Sam and we are forever grateful. It’s always a joy to work with Julie Cotterell and I love what she brings to Rebecca. Kate and I worked together many moons ago as part of On Giants’ Shoulders and it’s terrific to be working together again for this project. We’ve been joined by a number of Griffith grads who not only bring their skills, but also their contagious youthful energy, a thirst for knowledge and a desire to learn. Josh Macintosh and Penny Challen have provided mentoring for the Griffith grads and this has been a practical and effective way to scaffold their contribution.
Swallow is in many ways a study of survival, a play about choosing life. As we watch three strangers surviving the bruises dished out by daily life the play asks us to reflect – barely alive, but we are alive. Watching the evening news can lead us to think that we’re less than barely alive most of the time, but Swallow reminds us we are and provides a moment for us to reflect on how we might find ways to continue.
NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR Stef Smith, Associate Artist at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, is a powerful new voice in contemporary British Theatre. It’s been a joy to work on her play, Swallow, as she boldly blends literary devices, such as narrative and poetry, with the every day vernacular. Her writing is very technical, compositional – like a layered piece of music. As a director, I’ve enjoyed playing with its theatricality with an intelligent team of actors - Elise Greig, Julie Cotterell, Helen O’Leary and delicate sound designer, Tony Byrne supported by the next generation of technicians & makers, Jenna Ward, Lachlan Davis, Keane Latcham-Small and Jamie Tomic. My deep gratitude to producer, Elise Greig for faith in my work, to Metro for championing us and to our first Sam, Stace Callaghan, withdrawn for health reasons, whose mark on the play lingers. Recently I listened to an Australian writer speak about a series of terrible events in her youth, and how it was the kindness of ordinary people that helped her move forward. Everyday, simple kindnesses. This touched a nerve in me and spoke to the heart of Swallow. We all have private flaws, regrets, fears and longings. We’re all vulnerable to social approval. We play these over in our minds, in isolation. Social media can amplify this. But playwright Stef Smith, calls us out of our isolation and reminds us that human connection is important. May someone hold a safe space for you to just be, as you are.
STEF SMITH Stef Smith studied Drama and Theatre Arts at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. Since graduating in 2009 she has worked professionally as a writer. Stef has had one play written and produced every year since her graduation, receiving numerous awards and prizes for her quality of work. In 2011 Stef was awarded the New Playrights’ Award by the Playwrights’ Studio. Stef is working as a mentor on Graeae’s Write To Play programme, and running workshops for the West Yorkshire Playhouse in support of the NT New Views programme for writers aged 5-19. Stef is under commission to Playwrights’ Studio Scotland/Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Cardboard Citizens and the National Theatre.
ELISE GREIG Elise is a Matilda Award-winning actor, having been recognised for her outstanding contribution to Queensland Theatre. Elise is an acting graduate from USQ and an Honours and Masters graduate from QUT, where she was awarded the University Medal for Academic Achievement. Elise also trained as an actor with Shakespeare & Company in Boston, USA. Her theatre credits include the box office smash hit Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls (La Boite/QBFM), The Spirit of The Land (La Boite), the award-winning and box office smash Secret Bridesmaids’ Business (La Boite/QPAC), The Mayne Inheritance (La Boite), Summer Rain (QTC), Explosions (QTC), Sweet Phoebe, Two, Clark In Sarajevo (La Boite), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Harvest Rain), Modd Madame Butterfly (QTC). Elise recently won the CentreScreen Award for her performance in the short film, Good Girls, which was then screened at the Short Film Corner at Cannes Film Festival. As a writer, Arts Queensland and the Australia Council supported the development of Elise’s first play, a one-woman work, The Romany Project. Her first full-length play, Crèche and Burn, was written under commission and was a box office and critical success as part of La Boite Theatre’s 2005 mainhouse season. Her next play, The weet Science of Bruising, was shortlisted for the 2010 Playwriting Australia Festival. Elise received the Best Director Award at Short+Sweet for her direction of the Julia Rose Lewis’ play, Shooting Hoops. She has served on several arts committees and boards, including the La Boite Board and The Play Advisory Committee at La Boite. Elise is currently a member of the Matilda Awards committee.
KATE SHEARER Kate has worked as an actor, teacher, arts manager and director for over twenty years for a wide range of arts and educational organisations with a strong focus on interdisciplinary connections and site responsiveness. From 2010-2012, she was Artistic Director/CEO of the Big West Festival (a multicultural, multi-artform festival that expands a contemporary view of Melbourne’s inner west). The 2011 Festival comprised 67 projects, 815 artists, 2000+ community participants across 26 locations over 12 days. From 2006-2010, Kate was Artistic Director of Jigsaw Theatre Company, a professional touring theatre company for young audiences. At Jigsaw, she commissioned and created seven new theatre works, wrote three scripts and directed three other existing works for the company. These productions undertook 13 tours across Australia including to: the Come Out Festival, Castlemaine State Festival, the Adelaide Festival Centre, the Victorian Arts Centre, Kings Street Arts Centre Perth, the Canberra Theatre Centre and into schools in regional and remote NSW, VIC and the ACT, winning two Canberra Critic’s Circle Awards for Theatre and a nomination for a 2008 Australian Writers Guild (AWGIE) Award. In 2013, Kate established a new company on the Gold Coast, Seeing Place Productions committed to cross-artform, site specific contemporary arts practice.
JULIE COTTERELL Julie is a Brisbane-based actor. She has been performing in theatre productions, films, short films and commercials for the past 20 years. Some past theatre credits include: Long Gone Lonesome Cowgirls (Vicki) with La Boîte Theatre Company; Blood Brothers (Mrs Lyons), Jesus Christ Superstar (Priest), Divas, Cinderella, Hot Shoe Shuffle (April), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), Taming of the Shrew (Bianca) and Randomania with Harvest Rain Theatre Company; The 25 Project with Joymas Creative; Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Madame de Volanges) with THAT Production Company; Witches of Eastwick (Felicia Gabriel) with Turkish Delight Theatre Box; Rent (Joanne) with Schonell-Starlight Productions; Wit with Bunbury Theatre Company; Five Women Wearing the Same Dress (Frances), Stepping Out (Andy) and The Women (Peggy Day) with Mixed Company; and Singin’ in the Rain (Lina Lamont) and Assassins (Lynette Fromme) with Ocean Theatre Company. Julie had supporting roles in Hot Valley Nights (web series), Schapelle (TV movie) and A Guide to Dating at the End of the World (feature film), as well as appearing in many short films and TV commercials. In 2012, she attended the Summer Acting Intensive at Atlantic Theater Company in New York City.
HELEN O’LEARY Born in Brisbane and a graduate of USQ with a Diploma in Arts specialising in Theatre. Helen’s professional theatre credits include; Julius Caesar, QTC Oz Shorts,The School for Scandal, Christmas at Turkey Beach and Brolgas (Queensland Theatre Company), The Threepenny Opera, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest, Horizons and Shock of the New (La Boite Theatre), The Popular Mechanicals, TN!2 Deckchair Canopy (TN! Theatre Company), The Adman (Metaluna Theatre. Co), The Golden Ass (Belvoir BSharp), A View From Moving Windows (Parramatta Riverside Theatre ) and 7 ON Play writes (NIDA PARADE Theatre). Helen’s one woman show My Paris premiered at the 2011 Sydney Fringe Festival and was awarded a Fringe Award for Excellence. MORGUE at Downstairs Belvoir was her first foray into self-devised work and has been the inspiration to continue directing/ devising. Most recently Helen filmed the role of Jill Summers in comedy series The Jesters for The Movie Newwork. Helen was part of the regular main cast in ABC’s series Fireflies. Other TV credits include; Packed to the Rafters, Home and Away, Love My Way, All Saints, The Strip, Water Rats, Murder Call, Life Support, Backberner, Breakers, Fire series 1 & 2, Medivac and Pacific Drive. She has performed extensively with Theatre for Young People across Australia in festivals such as Out of the Box and Come Out.
TONY BYRNE Tony has arrived at Sound Design for theatre, through the back door … (that leads into an alley, somewhere in the suburb of a city far, far away). Tony is more often seen tinkering with pots and pans in the sound studios of the advertising world. Theatre Credits include: Hopelessly Devoted (Arts Centre Gold Coast & Glen Street Theatre): All Aboard (Bleach Festival); & Time Capsule (Seeing Place). Tony studied Contemporary Music at Southern Cross University and was awarded the Mike Perjanik Scholarship for Songwriting. He then put his creative talents to good use as Creative Director at Triple M 104.5 & Nova 106.9. Tony was awarded a London International Advertising Award and a number of other industry accolades including the ACRA’s, Golden Stylus, Goldie and Sunnie Awards. Tony is also a Goldie Awardwinning voiceover artist whose voice can be heard on TV, Radio, Cinema and Internet campaigns all over the country. His is the voice of Lucky Cat Lotteries, CBA’s - Platy Platypus and has voiced campaigns for Subway, McDonald’s, Flight Centre, Telstra and many more through his wonderful Sydney agent Kathy Evans Voice Management. He is also the voice of Mr Kangaroo in the new Peppa Pig – now showing in Cinemas across the globe.
CREATIVES E.G Producer Kate Shearer Director and Set Design Concept
Lachlan Davis with mentoring from Josh Macintosh & Penny Challen Door realisation Jo Greig & Michael Jones Nest realisation
Stef Smith Playwright
Tony Byrne Sound Design
Helen O’Leary Sam
Jenna Ward, Kate Shearer, Buck Buckingham & Jamie Tomic Lighting
Julie Cotterell Rebecca Elise Greig Anna
Jenna Ward Stage Manager Keane Latcham-Small Assistant
The production is performed by professional actors/performers. For this season, the performers are unwaged.
THANK YOU We would like to extend a huge thanks to Jo Thomas for her support, energy and commitment to local artists. The decision to create the LCL program has meant we are able to not only share this play with Brisbane audiences, but to also create opportunities for local artists to work. Thanks also to Kate, Emmaly, Shani, Nicola and everyone at Metro, to Ian and Playlab for their assistance with rehearsal venue and to QT for their assistance also. Creative Brisbane for their prompt and thorough work, Rosemary Walker for being a dynamo and to Josh Macintosh and Penny Challen for their design mentoring. Jo Greig and Michael Jones have been invaluable in terms of practical nesting support, good humour and a fine eye. Thanks also to Buck Buckingham, and to Gayle Macgregor and Opera Queensland for assistance with the wig. Michael Hubbard from Con for his flexibility and understanding. Last, but never least, we’d all like to thank our families for their love, support and child care.
SUPPORT SERVICES If you or someone you know needs support, please contact: The Gender Centre: (02) 9569 2366 | www.gendercentre.org.au Lifeline: 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au/ Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 | www.beyondblue.org.au
Jo Thomas Creative Director Jess Murphy Business Director Kate Usher Associate Producer Penny Challen Communications Manager Shani Gould Programming and Marketing Coordinator metroarts.com.au
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Metro Arts acknowledges the traditional custodians of Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people and their unique relationship with their ancestral country. We pay respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, and recognise their strength, wisdom and creativity. Cover image by Andrea Miller
Swallow by Stef Smith is a part of Metro Arts’ LCL Program, a platform for local artists to present contemporary theatre. Metro Arts is supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. Metro Arts is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Metro Arts is proudly supported by Brisbane City Council. This project was supported by Queensland Theatre through the provision of in-kind venues. This project was also supported by Playlab through the provision of in-kind rehearsal space.
