Geordie Brookman announces the 2013 State Theatre Company of SA season

Geordie Brookman gushed he “couldn’t be more thrilled” to announce the State Theatre Company Of South Australia’s 2013  Season. His first as Artistic Director.

Brookman declared he wants to increase the scope of the company in relation to it’s touring schedule and co-productions and to extend itself in partnership with some of Adelaide’s independent artists. Along with the season programme, Brookman gave notice that Geoff Cobham (Design and Production) and Nescha Jelk (Direction and Education) will join the company as Artistic Associates. Brookman’s Programme, in chronological order, is as follows.

The season opener features veteran actor Barry Otto is a one-man play of The Kreutzer Sonata, an adaption of a Leo Tolstoy novella by 2002 AWGIE-Award winner Sue Smith. This show will be performed in association with the Adelaide Festival.

Following on from that will be Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler who will be played by Alison Bell (from ABC TV’s Laid). Other cast members include Terrence Crawford, Cameron Goodall and Nathan O’Keefe in a new adaption by long-time Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith.

The Bell Shakespeare Company then returns to an Adelaide stage for the first time in eight years with The Comedy of Errors before moving on to tour the show across the nation.

Australian Playwright Rita Kalnejais’ Babyteeth then recieves a new production directed by Chris Drummond with a cast including Danielle Catanzariti, Chris Pitman and Mandy McElhinney.

The Australian premiere of Brief Encounter – Kneehigh Theatre’s adaption of Noel Coward’s classic. This show has been nominated for 2 Tony awards and is a season of 22 performances. It’s also presented in association with Arts Project Australia and the Adelaide Festival Centre.

In a co-production with the Sydney Theatre Company, the STCSA presents the world premiere of Vere (Faith). A play claiming to debate religion verses science and written by John Doyle – better known as Rampaing Roy Slaven – one half of the “Roy and H.G.” team on Triple J Radio and ABC TV.

Maggie Stone is a play commissioned by the STCSA in another world premiere. Written by Caleb Lewis, Geordie Brookman himself directs this show about a loans officer and the struggles of refugees in our community.

An education show, Random, is directed by new Artistic Associate Nescha Jelk. Written by Debbie Tucker Green and set in the life of one family on one day in London. The drama is condensed and so is the season – only 4 performances.

Most recent STCSA Artistic Director Adam Cook’s 2011 hit show The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare (Abridged) is reprised by Brookman for a brisk 3 performances only! It then leaves Adelaide for a 14 city tour of the eastern States. A success since it’s premiere in the late 1980’s Tim Overton and original cast member Damian Callinan star.

The Dark Room is presented by Flying Penguin Productions in association with STCSA and Holden Street Theatres as part of the new State Umbrella program. Written by Angela Betzien the play is set in a Northern Territory motel room with 6 characters over 3 different nights. This production will be performed at The Studio, Holden Street Theatres while the set and costumes will have been produced by the STCSA.

Finally, the 2013 Program also highlights 2 new works in development by local companies as part of its State Resident program. They are; Disintegration by Jo Stone and Paulo Castro and Farrugia, a dancetheatre work featuring adult entertainment worker Joseph Farrugia a.k.a. Madame Josephine from the Hindley Street venue ‘Crazy Horse’ in collusion with Vitalstatistix  and Torque Show.