Eclectic 2012 Lawler Studio Season is launched by MTC
In 2009, Adian Fennessy – MTC’s Associate Director – was given the honour of programming the inaugural MTC Lawler Studio Season.
The Lawler Studio, named for renowned Australian playwright Ray Lawler, whose play Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll was a turning point in the history of the MTC, represents the consolidation of MTC’s long-held ambitions to broaden its artistic palette.
Today, Aidan Fennessy announced the 2012 Lawler Studio Season, which will commence in April this year.
‘I am very excited to be presenting five brilliantly eclectic works from these highly talented local, national and international artists as part of our 2012 Lawler Studio Season” Fennessy said.
Playwrights Angela Betzien, Melissa Reeves, Matthew Ryan, Lucas Stibbard and Roland Schimmelpfennig, who have all received prestigious awards in recognition of their work, will be joining MTC for the first time in this fourth Lawler Studio Season. Susie Dee and Clare Watson, also beginning their association with Melbourne’s flagship theatre company, have directed some of Australia’s most innovative productions.
“Provocative, smart, theatricall daring and blisteringly funny” are all terms used to describe this year’s fare by Aidan Fennessey.
“These plays… provide a fascinating departure from our mainstage fare. Most importantly they are presented in the beautifully intimate confines of the Lawler Studio. This is theatre ‘up close and personal’ and this season is not to be missed. Enjoy!“, he said.
FIVE PLAY LAWLER SEASON
Boy Girl Wall – Melbourne Premiere
Opening the 2012 Lawler Studio Season is Brisbane’s hit one-man extravaganza Boy Girl Wall by Matthew Ryan and Lucas Stibbard, starring Helpmann Award nominee Lucas Stibbard.
On the Production of Monsters – World Premiere
Robert Reid is back with a biting satire inspired by the media frenzy surrounding the Bill Henson photography scandal. Clare Watson directs On the Production of Monsters with Virginia Gay (Winners & Losers) and James Saunders, both playing multiple characters.
The Golden Dragon – Australian Premiere
The National Post dubbed Roland Schimmelpfennig the world’s new favourite German playwright. His latest work The Golden Dragon is a brutal and mysterious theatrical feast about the modern migratory world, directed by Daniel Clarke and starring Dana Miltins.
Helicopter – World Premiere
Starring Daniela Farinacci, Charles E. C. Grounds and Terry Yeboah and directed by Leticia Cáceres, Helicopter is an unnervingly familiar suburban satire by Angela Betzien whose recent Sydney Theatre Award-winning play The Dark Room garnered rave reviews and a sell-out season in Sydney.
Happy Ending – World Premiere
A middle-aged woman develops an irrepressible crush on her rather young Chinese masseur in Happy Ending, a comedy about desire and misguided obsession. Written by award-winning playwright Melissa Reeves, directed by Susie Dee and starring Keith Brockett, Fanny Hanusin and Gareth Yuen.
In addition to five Lawler Studio productions, for the third consecutive year, the Lawler Studio will once again be home to the Cybec play readings series. The Cybec Readings will present three brand new plays in November this year. More details will be available mid-year via mtc.com.au.
