Red Stitch Season 2016

Red Stitch celebrates 15 years in 2016 with a season of eight plays never seen before in Australia, plus a new relationship with Geelong Performing Arts Centre

Red Stitch Actors Theatre started life in 2002 as an ensemble, artist driven organisation playing to a seating capacity of 30 people per night, and 15 years later has become a Melbourne institution, known for new plays from Australia and overseas, touring.

Artistic Director, Ella Caldwell has announced its 2016 season and, as with seasons past, the Company will introduce brand new works to local audiences. The selection of eight works includes six Australian premieres and two world premieres, plus two special events.

The two world premiere productions are testament to the Ensemble’s increased collaboration with local playwrights. A continuing relationship with playwright Tom Holloway sees the premiere of his new play, Sunshine, set in Melbourne. And Caleb Lewis’ The Honey Bees was developed through the Company’s INK program, following on from 2015’s Jurassica by Dan Giovanonni.

The six Australian premieres include: The Village Bike by British playwright Penelope Skinner (directed by ensemble member Ngaire Dawn Fair); Splendour by British writer Abi Morgan, screenwriter of The Iron Lady (directed by Jenny Kemp); Trevor by American writer Nick Jones (writer and co-producer of Orange is the New Black); The River by British screenwriter and playwright Jez Butterworth (who co-wrote 2015 films Spectre and Black Mass); You Got Older by American playwright and actor Clare Barron (directed by ensemble member Brett Cousins) and Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov - a new version by Annie Baker, who wrote the Pulitzer Prize winning The Flick that enjoyed sold out seasons at Red Stitch in 2014 & 2015. Nadia Tass joins the company again to direct Bakers’ work.

Each production features a cast of core ensemble members in collaboration with directors, designers, playwrights and guest actors.

In a special event, Red Stitch is collaborating with Geelong Performing Arts Centre to co-present the Victorian premiere of Australian playwright Hannie Rayson’s Extinction, directed by Nadia Tass and featuring ensemble members Ngaire Dawn Fair and Brett Cousins. Extinction will have a season at GPAC followed by seasons at Canberra Theatre and Arts Centre Melbourne.

The partnership with GPAC will also include rehearsed readings in Geelong.

In 2016 Red Stitch’s annual site-specifc one day only event, PLAYlist is to be held at Melbourne’s iconic Bakehouse. Themed DREAM, PLAYllist will see the Red Stitch ensemble joined by guest artists and musicians for a spectacular immersive theatre experience, roaming throughout this extraordinary historical arts venue. PLAYlist is Red Stitch’s major annual fundraising event.

In 2015 Red Stitch presented two shows in Sydney - Grounded and Dead Centre/Sea Wall (which also saw the Company touring to Darwin Festival and Brisbane Festival for the first time).

Red Stitch’s creative approach to fundraising - Kindred - has had a significant impact in the last two years, and continues to play a vital role in its growth and ability to nurture artists and develop boldly and sustainably.

Artistic Director Ella Caldwell said: "Since 2002 Red Stitch has nurtured artists, providing a creative hub and creating work that demands to be seen. We have shared with you some extraordinary nights in our intimate theatre.

“2016 at Red Stitch is daring and asks big questions. We offer another year of exceptional new plays, two of which I'm delighted to say are premieres of new Australian work, and we embark on the next 15 years of Red Stitch."

RED STITCH 2016 SEASON

The Village Bike

By Penelope Skinner

Directed by Ngaire Dawn Fair

2 February – 5 March

Australian Premiere

"So yes see this is what I'm saying it's like this whole part of you gets squashed orhidden or not allowed... What if we could have both?"

John is preparing the nest for parenthood and not in the mood to be seduced. Deeply craving adventure, pregnant Becky purchases a bicycle to explore the village... Fiercely erotic, The Village Bike is a hilarious upending of presumptions about sexuality and pornography.

Splendour

By Abi Morgan

Directed by Jenny Kemp

15 March – 16 April

Australian Premiere

“I am shaking. I am frightened. I had not planned for this. What happens next?”

In an opulent drawing room, Kathryn, a photographer, waits to take a portrait. A wife, a friend and an interpreter wait with her. Prada shoes, vodka and light fingers tap out the time. Splendour is a striking tale of power and secrets.

The River

By Jez Butterworth

26 April – 28 May Australian Premiere

“And the next day I went back to the river, and I took off my clothes and I dived in the water...”

On a moonless night, a man brings a woman to the remote family cabin where he has been fly-fishing since he was a boy. The sea trout are ready to run and mystery lingers in the air. The River is bewitching and intimate evening to remember.

The Honey Bees

By Caleb Lewis

14 June – 16 July

World Premiere **Developed through the INK program

“She was floating in this cloud of gold. Like the centre of a universe. And the beesall hanging like stars. This bright, glittering sphere...”

As the world’s honeybee population dwindles, a family-owned apiary struggles to keep up with demand. Driven by matriarch Joan's iron will, the business continues to grow. And then Melissa arrives out of the blue. The Honey Bees is a tale of Family and Empire; Action and Consequences; and what happens when the bee finally stings.

Trevor

By Nick Jones

26 July – 26 August

Australian Premiere

“Then just sit still and bear your gums so it looks like you're smiling. Believe me, if you can just do that - if you can just behave - the world will open for you.”

He used to be a star. He wants to be understood.
And he’s everything to Sandra.
Hilarious and poignant, Trevor is a comedy on fame, flawed communication and the dangers of unconditional love.

You Got Older

By Clare Barron

Directed by Brett Cousins

31 August – 1 October Australian Premiere

“I’m always itching to go do something else even when I’m in the middle ofhaving a nice moment, it makes me feel guilty.”

In this bold dark comedy, Mae returns to her childhood home to confront herfamily, her history, and her wild fantasies involving a mysterious cowboy.

You Got Older is a tender comedy about how you remain standing wheneverything you know comes crashing down around you.

Sunshine

By Tom Holloway

Directed by Kirsten von Bibra

11 October – 5 November

World Premiere

"Somewhere along the way I’ll pick her a flower from the front garden of a house like I used to do when we first met."

The night creeps in and rain buckets down on the streets of Melbourne. Billy Joel blasts ironically from hotted-up hatchbacks full of youths. Four people have a night they will never forget as two strangers are thrown together through one shocking event. Sunshine is a funny, full-hearted and devastating piece of choral theatre.

Uncle Vanya

By Anton Chekhov
. A new version by Annie Baker

Directed by Nadia Tass


15 November – 17 December

Australian Premiere

“I’m the same as always. Actually, I’m worse. I’m lazy and I don’t do anything and I’m whiny and bitter. Like a piece of horseradish.”

The countryside and love affairs. Written with the goal of sounding to our contemporary ears the way the play sounded during its first productions, Baker's new version of Uncle Vanya shares Chekhov's enduring wit, insight and emotional depth.

Special events:

PLAYLIST at BAKEHOUSE

“DREAM”

The Red Stitch ensemble is joined by some of the Company’s favorite guest artists and musicians for a spectacular immersive theatre experience at the iconic Melbourne Bakehouse.

Saturday 23 April
 One day only. Tickets limited.

Geelong Performing Arts Centre and Red Stitch Actors Theatre present

Extinction

By Hannie Rayson
Directed by Nadia Tass

Geelong Performing Arts Centre 12 -16 July

Canberra Theatre 20 - 23 July

Melbourne Arts Centre 9 - 13 August

A wild, rainy night, a twist of fate and an endangered tiger quoll bring together a passionate environmentalist and an unlikely good samaritan. Both are hell-bent on saving the species, but what will be compromised in the quest to save the quoll? Nothing is black and white. Extinction is an intriguing story about love, money, sex and power played out under the shadow of global warming.

Rehearsed Readings presented by Geelong Performing Arts Centre

In 2016, Red Stitch partners with the Geelong Performing Arts Centre to present rehearsed readings in Geelong. A crucial part of script development, the readings give audiences a rare glimpse into these extraordinary new Australian works in progress before they hit the Red Stitch stage.

The Honey Bees rehearsed reading with Q&A Saturday 19 March Sunshine rehearsed reading with Q&A Saturday 11 June

Red Stitch continues its successful Ink new writing program, having received a record 92 applications for Ink 2016. The Graduate Program has also been extended to include graduating designers as well as actors, directors and stage managers.

redstitch.net

Images: (top) Sunshine and (lower) Splendour.

Click here for links to other 2016 Seasons