Premiere for Stage Version of Cult Film

Adelaide based Growling Grin Productions stage the Australian premiere of the stage adaptation of Radha Bharadwaj’s 1991 cult-classic film Closet Land during November 2013. Lesley Reed reports.

Set in an unspecified place and time and based on Radha Bharadwaj’s 1991 cult-classic film of the same title, Growling Grin Productions’ staging of Closet Land uses multimedia alongside live performance to generate what promises to be a gripping psychological thriller that will appeal to modern audiences.

Says author and playwright, Radha Bharadwaj, “I undertook to adapt my screenplay to stage when I started to receive offers from stage groups all over the world who had seen my film and were moved by it, and who wanted to perform it on stage. The play version has now been performed almost everywhere in the world. On stage, the words have a lyrical force and sway.”

Olivia Jane Parker, co- founder of Growling Grin Productions and first-time director for this Australian stage premiere of Closet Land, says Radha Bharadwaj has been very supportive of Growling Grin’s production. “She has not restricted me in any way. She’s been incredibly generous.”

The play’s protagonist is an author of children’s books, but her latest work, Closet Land, has sparked government suspicion that it is a subversive allegory for the struggles of the resistance.

The author is interrogated by a mysterious government official, whereupon a gripping and suspenseful battle of wits takes place.

Radha Bharadwaj says the story is, quote, “…the same you would find in fairytales- the darker ones. Here, too, is a world that the author-dreamer finds herself in, like a princess snatched from sleep and trapped by a monster…”

The cast is multi-talented. Melissa Rayner is an actor and artist who has experience both in theatre as well as in numerous art exhibitions, projects and collaborations. In addition to acting, Benjamin Orchard is co-founder of Growling Grin Productions and a reviewer of theatre.

Creative artists involved in the production include Jan Burns, Heather Mill and Mel Rayner.

Subconscious Studios, a creative film and video production house, is responsible for the multimedia used in the production. Photographer, Lucie Bauer is also involved, especially in photographically enhancing and promoting the show.

Growling Grin Productions’ Australian premiere of Closet Land has received some fine endorsement from playwright, Radha Bharadwaj.

“Closet Land celebrates the power of imagination,” says Bharadwaj. “ …Olivia’s production has approached the material with the perfect asset: imagination. She has charted an ambitious multi-media course for the play. The results look most promising.… Some get my work so completely it’s uncanny. Olivia and Benjamin are of this ilk and their production has special value for me.”

Dates: Preview Wednesday, Nov 27, 8pm. Season Thurs-Sat, Nov 28-30, 8pm. Matinee Sat, Nov 30, 2pm.

Venue: Main theatre, Bakehouse, Adelaide.

Bookings: www.bakehousetheatre.com

Tickets: Adults $28; Concession $24; Fringe Benefits $20; Groups (6+) $20; Students $15; Preview $20.