"If it's a party, why's there so much blood".

Joan

 

We are producing the Melbourne premiere of Caryl Churchill's extraordinary play FAR AWAY. 

Written in 2000, this unnerving fairytale has proven prophetic in its surmise of the events of the past decade. Set in an unknown "far away" the play is as much the journey of a society as it is of the main character Joan, who grows from questioning youth to apathetic adult. 

Australia is as much a "far away" for a British playwright as any fairytale and the play's observation of the progression of moral slippage and human apathy are as potent now as ever before.

The play is directed by Justin Martin and choreographed by Tom Hodgson for Holly Shanahan's SaySIX Theatre. The production will run from April 24th - May 13th, 2012 at fortyfivedownstairs, one of Melbourne's best contemporary theatres.

WHO WE ARE

Tom Hodgson and Justin Martin met in 2007 while working together as the resident team on "Billy Elliot the Musical" in Melbourne, Australia. 

Tom is from a classical and contemporary dance background, working with some of Europe and Australia's top companies including DV8 Physical Theatre, Scapino Ballet Rotterdam and Kate Champions Force Majeure.

Justin's background had been completely in non-musical theatre, assisting  for some of Australia's top companies including Company B Belvoir, Sydney Theatre Company and Bell Shakespeare, as well as directing fringe work in Sydney, Melbourne and London. 

Following hugely successful seasons of Billy Elliot in Melbourne and Sydney, both Tom and Justin were asked to work on Korean and US productions of the show.

Justin, Tom and Holly's collaboration began when a script was slipped under the Stage Door at Billy in October 2009. This culminated in the critically successful "Skin Tight" at fortyfivedownstairs in early 2011, while both Tom and Justin were on hiatus from Billy.

Holly is the kiwi of the trio, a passionate theatre maker, long time professional actress and producer, she is passionate about the collaboration of Australian and New Zealand theatre makers. For Holly, FAR AWAY is as much a story of NZ as it is Australia as it is the world.

FAR AWAY marks the first production together for Tom, Justin and Holly post Billy Elliot. It is an opportunity for them to create a first class production of a widely successful play that is yet to have its official premiere in Melbourne.  

It is also an opportunity to work with a fantastic group of people who have all volunteered their time to help make this project possible.

 

WHAT WE'RE ASKING

The Far Away production team are currently searching for supporters and welcoming donations from anyone wishing to contribute to the production of this play.

Theatre is an ever expensive medium to produce. We seek to raise $6500 dollars to help cover the extensive costs of putting this production together. $1500 will help subsidise a publicist to promote the show. $1000 will pay for post cards, posters and programs. $1500 will go towards building our set and costumes. $2500 will go towards venue hire and paying for rehearsal and workshop space. Anything additional will be given directly to our hugely talented actors and production team who are currently giving their time for nothing.

 

Please support us make our dream pozible! Many thanks.

CAST and CREW 

Featuring:

Caroline Lee

Paul Ashcroft

Suzannah McDonald

 

and introducing:

Skylah Cox

Savannah Vote

 

Writer: Caryl Churchill

Director: Justin Martin

Choreographer: Tom Hodgson

Assistant Director/Choreographer: Claire Healy

Producer: Holly Shanahan for saySIX, Justin Martin for lil artistes

Lighting Design: Luke Hails

Sound Design: James Gavin Henderson 

Set and Costume Design: Tom Hodgson, Justin Martin and Holly Shanahan

Stage Manager: Katrina Chandra

Assistant Stage Manager; Jess Maguire

 

DATES and TIMES

Previews: April 24th, 2012

Season: Weds, April 24th - Sun, May 13th, 2012

Times: Tuesday - Saturday 8pm, Sunday matinee at 6.

 

OUR FUNDRAISING RAFFLE:

Prizes to be announced.

 

FOR UPDATES PLEASE  FOLLOW OUR PROGRESS ON TWITTER: "faraway(@lilartistes)", OR ON FACEBOOK: "Far Away by Caryl Churchill".