Spring & EXPLORATIONS Programme 2011

Liz JonesC.E.O. & Artistic Director

And on behalf of Pippa Bainbridge (Company Manager), Maureen Hartley (Publicist/Education Coordinator), Lisa Höbartner & Bec Etchell (House Managers), Louise Jones (Marketing Coordinator), Mary Helen Sassman & Caitlin Dullard (Community Producers), Fiona Wiseman & Nedd Jones (Administration) and the Committee of Management: Catherine Hill, Dur-É Dara, Mark Rubbo, Caroline Lee, Tim Stitz, Rhonda Day, Emily Harms and Liz Jones

SPRING 2011Newsletter 119

Hello and welcome to our Spring Season,

And with Spring comes our exciting EXPLORATIONS SEASON, 20 new innovative and exciting ideas all taking place over three nights. What a feast!

The season will also bring you the chance to see two fully realised productions that you may have glimpsed as previous EXPLORATIONS, Peta Brady’s Strands (previoulsy titled Entanglement, 2009) as well as Suzi and Rebecca Mezei’s Snake Skin Fence (2010). November will see the verbatim theatre production Coranderrk: We Will Show The Country, previously seen as a work-in-progress (2010), in full fl ight. This is an Ilbijerri & La Mama co-production and will tour to communities in 2012.

The year will conclude with an Eagle’s Nest & La Mama collaboration; Michael Healy’s Flight at La Mama Courthouse. So come and make 2011 another record breaking year for audience attendance. Applause, applause we love it!

CoranderrkFlightStrandsSnake Skine FenceLa Mama for KidsTango TangetsA Puppet in the Drawers MelbornPlayreadingsLa Mama PoeticaShrimp Shells in My Cleavage La Mama Musica Ticket Information

579

11343535363738383940

Cover Image: Carole PatulloImage Design: Robin Griffi ths dazzlecreative.com.auCourtesy: Button

EXPLORATIONSLeering@Lear

Walking Mark RothkoHow to BirdsThe Waiting

CycloDe Stroyed

Morbid PornHello my name is

What is the Question? Project ‘X’

Button The Other

Dingo’s Baby ?!Sankofa

A Reading List for the Outback HousewifeThe Unconditioned Heart

String ThingLetters To Evie

Round the CornerKid Stuff

121415161718192021222324252627282930313233

Walking Mark Rothko

Produced by ILBIJERRI THEATRE COMPANY and the Minutes of Evidence Project November 16 - November 27

Concept by Giordano NanniDirected by Isaac Drandich

Dramaturgy by Rachael Maza LongAdapted by Andrea James & Giordano Nanni

Performed by Syd Brisbane, Jack Charles, Jim Daly, Peter Finlay, Greg Fryer, Liz Jones, Tom Long, Melodie Reynolds, & Glenn Shea

VICTORIA, 1881: the men and women of the ‘Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve’ take on the Board for the Protection of Aborigines in a fight for justice, dignity and self-determination.

For the first time, we bring back to life Coranderrk’s voices - both black and white - through a re-enactment of their official testimonies before the 1881 Government Inquiry into Coranderrk.

5

Wed, Sun 6.30pm | Thu, Fri, Sat 8pm Matinee Sat 4pm | La Mama Courthouse

CORANDERRK

In association with La Mama Theatre, The University of Melbourne, The Koorie Heritage Trust, VicHealth, The Department of Education, Arts Victoria, Regional Arts Victoria, The State Library of Victoria, VAEAI - supported by the Australian Research Council

WE WILL SHOW THE COUNTRY

7

Wed, Sun 6.30pm | Thu, Fri, Sat 8pmLa Mama Courthouse

F L I G H TNovember 30 - December 18

Written by Michael HealyDirected by Skye Staude

Produced by Nicole Peters & Eagle’s Nest Theatre Company

Tilman Hessel is living the life he always wanted. An environmental activist, his enthusiasm and drive were the

roots of what has grown to be an impressive organisation.

Fight the good fight, never give up and cripple the insurmountable… but what happens if you’re lost when you’ve achieved all you desire?

Wed & Sun 6.30pm | Thu, Fri, Sat 8pm | La Mama Theatre

STRANDS

December 1 - December 18Written & performed by Peta Brady

Directed by Sue JonesDramaturg: Catherine Hill

Designer: Belinda WiltshireStage Manager: Bec Etchell

Two sisters struggle with their inheritance.Hope wants to remember

Destiny wants to forget.

Strands was originally conceived during La Mama’s EXPLORATIONS Season in 2009 and received an R.E. Ross Trust Development Award in 2011.

Strands is the second offering from this team of collaborators after a successful season of Status Update at La Mama, having been nominated for two Green Room Awards.

9Image courtesy of artist Roz Avent (acrylic painting)

Wed, Sun 8.30pm | Thu, Fri, Sat 6pmLa Mama Theatre

11

SNAKE SKIN FENCE December 7 - December 18

Written by Suzi Mezei

Directed by Laurence Strangio Performed by Rebecca Mezei

Music by Scott DunbabinLighting Design by Bec Etchell

Set against a backdrop of social violence, two women buckle under the weight of suburban fracture.

A poetic exploration of contemporary Australia in transition.

EXPLORATIONS 2011

October 3 - December 6

This annual event is a unique opportunity for artists to explore, create and present new work in a supportive environment.

Be part of the journey when theatre-makers are let loose for three nights in the space to explore ideas, challenge boundaries and experiment with process.

Stay after the show, buy a drink, meet the artists and discuss their work in an environment where your feedback will be most welcome.

Tickets to all performances are at the concession price of $15 or head to the website and book for any 4 of the 20 new works in the Explorations Season for just $40.

“Short, surprising experiments by accomplished theatre-makers and complete newcomers…”John Bailey, The Sunday Age

7.30pm | La Mama Theatre

LEERING@LEAROctober 3, 4 & 5

Devised & performed by Elnaz Sheshgelani with Brian LoweDirected by Lloyd Jones

A newly interpreted and very true account of the life of King Lear especially as it pertains to the folly of attempting to decide which daughter loves him best.

7.30pm | La Mama Theatre15

Written & performed by Adam J. A. CassDesigned by Jennifer Tran

He has the stupid name Orange, his mum says his dad’s Jay Leno but he feels like he’s a walking Mark Rothko painting, all block colours, nothing but surface, but beautiful,

and he makes you do and say and be things that you never thought possible.

October 6, 7 & 8

how to Birds.October 9, 10 & 11

Written & directed by Kevin CK LoPerformed by Kevin Lo, Meri Hietala and Finn MulhallDesign by Meri Hietala and Hayley AmosLive sound mostly by Troy NaumoffRC car by TOYABI

The fi rst of a multi-part play, involving a remote controlled courier car, an extended ode to the orange juice, and a comatose demonelle from Finland who may just wake up.

7.30pm | Tickets $15Book & prepay online: www.lamama.com.au Booking line: 03 9347 6142La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday Street Carlton

7.30pm | La Mama Theatre

17

October 12, 13 & 14

Just under my skin is the feeling of yours.... i try to fi nd the edges, but it is just one great

expanse; never ending, never beginning.

Time passes in fancy dress.

We let it pass.... as if we had a choice.

Edwina Wren and Brigid Jackson share the fi rst development of a new work about what it is to wait....

Winding itself through the magic of Carnival, the anticipation of promotion, the magic and glamour of show and the muddy bog and torn faded fl yers left behind.An exploration through dance of the cyclic experience of life and being; through struggles, joys, distractions, delusions, dreams, connections and separations. See it, learn it, live it, break it, mourn it or ignore it, repeat, until self realised.

October 15, 16 & 17

Devised & performed by Amanda Arnott and Alicia Benn-LawlerSound Design by Zach Benn-Lawler Produced by Barefooted Productions

7.30pmLa Mama Theatre

A theatrical monologue about being a certain age and being inessential

7.30pm | La Mama Theatre

19

DE STROYEDOctober 18, 19 & 20

Created by Suzanne Chaundy and Jillian Murray from the work of Simone de Beauvoir

Directed by Suzanne ChaundyPerformed by Jillian Murray

Lighting by Katie SfetkidisA Perilous Production

A theatrical monologue about being a certain age and being inessential

MORBID PORNOctober 21, 22 & 23

Written by Tamara RewsePerformed by Kelly Ryall & Tamara Rewse

Outside eye: Nancy Black

One lonely womanOne dog

One big fantasy

Morbid Porn is a story of intimacy. Teetering between reality and fantasy, Morbid Porn examines how we see ourselves in our

dreams, when we are alone and when there is no one but a dog to refl ect the image of ourselves. A hard working shift nurse lives

alone with her spoilt dog. Together they feed a fl ight of fancy where thoughts transform reality, and fantasies are enduring.

Part concert, part voyeurism with a puppet and live music by Kelly Ryall.

7.30pm | La Mama Theatre

Hello my name is is a theatre event that combines a live performance with a companion online documentation project. It is a collaboration between a performance artist/theatremaker,

dancer/choreographer, sound designer, visual artist, videographer and lighting designer. Set in a space we build and call a Community Centre, the work is inherently a

conversation between strangers. Please visit www.hellomynameisshow.wordpress.com7.30pm | La Mama Theatre 21

Hello my name isOctober 24, 25 & 26

conceived and directed by Nicola Gunn created and performed by Carlee Mellow and Nicola Gunn | designed by Sans Hotel

The development of this project was previously supported by Australia Council, Besen Foundation, Chunky Move, Dancehouse, Theatre Works and Belvoir. Hello my name is is under development and supported by the City of Port Phillip.

Nov 4, 5 & 6

Deviser/performers - Carole Patullo and Jane BaylyConsultant dramaturg/director - Melanie BeddieWhat holds us together?I imagined being here. Funny where you end up. Big things, little things... an ingrown hair, the famine, favourite pen, no evidence of a cohesive plan, mangoes, x-rays, dinner on the table, a noisethrough the wall. To push or not to push.

7.30pm | La Mama Theatre

7.30pm | La Mama Theatre25

Nov 7, 8 & 9Spontaneously Performed Interactive Composition

by David Tolley’s ReUNION Retreat and Performance ProjectSpecial guest Phil Treloar will be travelling from Japan to share in this event

9 astonishing cross-generational improvisers, interacting in real-time as both composer and performer

“...we fl oated in and out of expressive phrases; arcs of sonic unfolding, strange rhythmic diversities; surprising points of coincidence; picking up on to develop, to explore or ignore,

each others utterances; slipping, sliding, skating, falling, laughing...” - Phil Treloar on Reunion with Tolley

With Carolyn Connors (voice), Dur-é Dara (percussion), Tom Fryer (guitars), Tony Hicks (wind instruments), Anita Hustas (bass violin), Adrian Sherriff (trombone, shakuhachi, percussion)

David Tolley (laptop electronics), Phil Treloar (marimba, drums) & Ren Walters (guitars)

La Mama MUSICA presents

The Other

7.30pm | La Mama Theatre

Nov 10, 11 & 12

Directed & produced by Ella FilarArrangements by Tanya Heine and Ella FilarLyrics by Neil Ryan, Sarah Berry and Ella FilarMonologue Text by Neil RyanPerformed by Justin Grant, Neil Ryan, Tanya Heine, Mary Gentile, Jody Beeton, Robbie Thorpe, Linda Cookson, Sarah Berry, and Carlos AndresKeyboard: Ella Filar Dingoʼs Baby asks: what if we all were stolen? When we sing “We Are Australian” who are we and what does Australian mean? Through song and story you will meet Aussie – a Bogan Indigenous man who doesn’t remember he was stolen – and a bus load of second and third generation Dinky Di Aussies anxiously scrambling to fi nd out where they really came from.

7.30pm | La Mama Courthouse 27

Written by Christopher Bryant | Directed by Christopher Bryant and Emma PalackicPerformed by Lili Andrews, Kristina Benton, Kaitlyn Clare and Christian HoeghProduced by Theatre on a Horse

“If I have to stay in this prison for a moment longer I will snap, and it wonʼt be a clean break.”

The Marquis de Sade. The Bible. D. H. Lawrence & Victor Hugo. During the height of WW2, three women waste away in a club ruled by austerity. As tensions mount, the play skates between comedy and confrontation as it comes to a shocking end.

A Reading List for the Outback HousewifeAugust 4 - Augus

7.30pm | La Mama Theatre

Nov 13, 14 & 15

November 16, 17 & 18

Devised & directed by Suze SmithDevised & performed by Melanie Hamilton and NIkki-Fay Baxter

Video Design by Michael CarmondyProduced by backyard theatre

A devised physical theatre piece about intimacy

Intimacy is closeness, an exquisite touch, a special moment. Intimacy is separate togetherness.

Intimacy is snuggling into a body that you know well, that knows you. Intimacy is We. Us. Here. Now.

Intimacy isnʼt always easy.

7.30pm | La Mama Theatre 29

7.30pm | La Mama Theatre

November 19, 20 & 21

Devised by Christy Flaws and Luke O’Connor | Performed by Christy FlawsDirected by Anni Davey | Produced by Asking for TroubleSpinning wheels, hooks and needles, spider webs, and old ladies.Ropes for skipping, for climbing, tying knotting wrapping, ropes that have been at sea, knots and tangles.

A physical exploration of string by a circus artist Image by Devika Bilimoria

7.30pm | La Mama Theatre 31

Letters to EvieNovember 22, 23 & 24

By Penny Gutteridge

“This is called ANZAC after the fi rst initials of “Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, quite cute isnʼt it?”World War One as seen through the letters written to my grandmother Evie, during the period 1914 to 1918.

“I hear my name appeared in a ʼseriously illʼ list, it ought to appear now in a ʼdamned annoyedʼ list”

Eric Gutteridge and Evie Percy at Broadmeadows camp 1914

7.30pm | La Mama Theatre

Round the CornerNovember 25, 26 & 27

Written by Ruth Baird Directed by Kate KantorAdditional script development with Bronwen KamaszPerformed by Ruth Baird and Bronwen Kamasz

Riding always riding, letter boxes with attitude, troublesome dogs and a bicycle with plans of its own - such are the challenges and mysteries of Robert the Bicycle Postie’s every day life. Then one day something unexpected happens, colleague Edwina is confounded, and Robert’s life may never be the same again...

Times to be announcedLa Mama Courthouse 33

December 5 & 6

Written and performed by the kids at Yarraville West Primary School

Remember that feeling of sand in your bathers? Remember when you didn’t care? Remember chasey? Or did you prefer to build amazing cubbies that you wished you could live in?

Reminisce…. celebrate…. cherish… childhood.

Arlecchino and La Principessaby Make A SceneArlecchino has been fired by his padrone (master), Pantalone. La Principessa Fiorella has escaped from the evil clutches of her uncle, Tartaglia. With Arlecchino in tow, La Principessa is on the run and on a mission! Will they find romance… or just some really good pasta?

December 10 | 11am & 2pm (60 mins) | Tickets $12 Suitable for ages 5+ | La Mama Courthouse

Quest For The Ultimate Rhythm with The Bongo BrothersWhat do you get when you cross a musician, an actor and a cartoonist? The Bongo Brothers! Join Bongo, Mongo and Drongo on their hilarious journey around the world in their quest to find ‘the ultimate rhythm’.

November 6 | 11am and 2pm (60 mins) | Tickets $12Suitable for ages 4+ | La Mama Courthouse

for kids

Company Chemins de Terre (Belgium) Performed by Stephane GeorisProfessor Olaf Stevenson opens a chest of drawers to reveal ordinary objects….or are they? With a skilful mix of puppetry and clowning he brings them to life, delighting us with their games and hilarious tales. Recommended for ages 7 – 12. Duration: 55 minutesPresented by Black Hole Theatre in association with Spare Parts Puppet Theatre and ImaginArta. Supported by UNIMA, Australia.2pm on November 13 in the Courtyard at La Mama$15 Full $10 Children

Tango TangentsBy The Sunset Sisters with special guests Tango Mundo.Tango songs and stories from a woman’s point of view. A lively mix of original songs by Faye Bendrups, Alison Richards and Ella Filar, some classic ‘Euro Tango’, the work of Argentinian writer Luisa Valenzuela and the voice play Last Tango in Brunswick by Alison Richards and Jackie Kerin. Artists: Alison Richards, Faye Bendrups, Jackie Kerin, Guillermo Anad, Dave Evans. Image: Ponch Hawkes. December 14 & 18 @ 2pm | La Mama Courthouse

35

A Puppet in the Drawers (Le Polichineur de Tiroirs)

SEASON ONE: October 5 - October16One act plays by Bruce Shearer, Christine Croyden, David Astle, Frank Otis, Carmen Saarelaht, James May and Therese Cloonan. Wed - Sat 8pm | Sun 6.30pm. Bookings: www.trybooking.com/12311SEASON TWO: October 20 - October 30The Woman in his Mind by Christine Lambrianidis. Directed by Mark Pritchard. Bookings: www.trybooking.com/WRSSEASON THREE: November 1 - November 12Times Arrow by Mark Andrew Directed by Shannon WoollardBookings: 0450 327 309

La Mama Courthousewww.melbwriters.org.au

An afternoon recounting

Miss Hewett’s Shenanigans(in the style of a rehearsed reading)Written by Dorothy HewettDirected by Suzanne ChaundyPerformed by Perilous Productions Miss Hewett’s Shenanigans is Dorothy Hewett’s virtually unknown and once only previously performed cabaret of her life and work. A must see for all Hewett fans. 2pm on December 10 @ La Mama Theatre

Patient Twelve (out the back)Written & Directed by Kevin SummersFeaturing Chris Bunworth, Jenny Seedsman, Ian Rooney, Tim Potter, Peter StratfordEarly 1919. An unknown Victorian soldier lies in a bed in a vegetative state.2pm on December 3 @ La Mama Theatre

PLAYREADINGS The LineWritten by Kieran Carroll

Read by Kathy Lepan-Walker, Mark E Lawrence, Dom Phelan, Lee McClenaghan, Graham Murray, Stephanie Lee, Carly Jacobs, Lex Ross and Glenda May

A contemporary social portrait of a line with the second highest crime rate on the network by a playwright who has witnessed it at all hours

2pm on October 8 @ La Mama Courthouse

bOOZe cITyby Malcolm Hill

When a new Mega Tavern is put on hold in Booze City due to public concern about street violence,

a clueless alcoholic Premier is placed in the top job.A comic tragic political thriller about alcohol and violence

2pm on December 17 @ La Mama Theatre

37

La Mama Theatre205 Faraday Street Carlton

Melway Map 2B Ref G7

La Mama Courthouse349 Drummond Street Carlton

Melway Map 2B Ref G7

Please note that Carlton parking can be scarce(Try parking stations on Drummond Street

or on Elgin Street near Lygon Street)

Both venues are just a short walk from Melbourne University tram stop at Faraday & Swanston Street

La Mama is on Wurundjeri land, part of the Kulin nation, and the Commitee of Management,

staff, and wider theatrical community acknowledge its traditional custodians

La Mama Theatre is registered by the Heritage Council Victoria and has received National Trust status

La Mama Theatre205 Faraday Street Carlton

Melway Map 2B Ref G7

La Mama Courthouse349 Drummond Street Carlton

Melway Map 2B Ref G7

Please note that Carlton parking can be scarce(Try parking stations on Drummond Street

or on Elgin Street near Lygon Street)

Both venues are just a short walk from Melbourne University tram stop at Faraday & Swanston Street

La Mama is on Wurundjeri land, part of the

TicketsFull $25Concession $15Explorations $15

Online Bookings www.lamama.com.au

Phone Reservations(03) 9347 6142

Phone Reservations12pm - 4pm (weekdays) 12pm - 2pm (weekends) Please pick up your tickets 15 minutes prior to the performance

Information(03) 9347 6948

Offi ce Hours: Monday - Friday 10.30am - 5.30pm

www.lamama.com.au