GREAT love in the face of isolation, brutality and fear and are the contradictory emotions played out in The Possum, a Tasmanian play to premiere in Launceston on Thursday.
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Written by Sean Munro, The Possum centres around three characters, played by a Launceston talent trifecta and University of Tasmania theatre alumni – Cheyne Mitchell, Travis Hennessy and Brooke Newall, who graduated in 2003 and has recently returned to the state.
Described by director Robert Lewis as ‘‘Tasmanian Gothic’’ in genre, the play explores the snowball effect of isolation, where individuals create their own reality.
‘‘The struggle with this work has been in balancing the psychological complexity of each character as well as bringing physicality to the stage,’’ said Lewis, who has sought inspiration from Savages, a site-specific work he directed for Persona Collective as part of Junction Arts Festival last year that was experimental and powerful on so many levels.
‘‘We’ve continued the vocal training and aesthetic of Savages, Chris Jackson has written music to transition scenes.
‘‘Like Savages it’s poetic and at the same time conflicting, the text is raw and punchy.
‘‘Along with Darren Wilmott, our artistic co-ordinator, we’re working to creating a dreamscape, a balance between reality and fantasy through the characters’ subconscious.
‘‘It’s working out what drives these people to do what they do, and audiences should be warned there are some gruesome moments in the play.’’
Lewis said it was a timely production given its undercurrent of domestic violence.
‘‘But this play is very much about love, the couple – Henry and Lucy – are very much in love, and then the Possum arrives.
‘‘It’s more about game play and transitioning between emotions.’’
This is the second time Theatre North at the Princess has worked in partnership with Mudlark Theatre to develop and produce a new Tasmanian work.
The Possum follows on from Hannah Malarski’s remarkable play The Midlands.
Not only did TNAP support the script’s development through its play-reading series as part of Prologue for Potentials in 2012, it also presented a full production in its 2013 subscription season.
The Possum has wrought the same collaboration, with Monro’s script undergoing development when it featured in the New Writing for Tasmanian Theatre program last year.
THE FACTS
WHAT: The Possum, presented by Mudlark Theatre Company.
WHERE: Earl Arts Centre, Launceston.
WHEN: Thursday, August 6 and Friday, August 7, at 8pm; to Saturday, August 8, at 2pm and 8pm.
TICKETS: $38 for adults, $26.50 for Theatre North Friends.
BOOKINGS: 6323 3666, the Princess Theatre box office or visit www.theatrenorth.com.au
