The Normal Heart looks back at the pandemic the world ignored, premieres in LGBT History Month

Larry Kramer’s epic Tony Award-winning drama The Normal Heart will transport audiences to 1980s New York when it opens at Dunstan Playhouse this month.

Documenting the late activist’s time on the frontline of the AIDS crisis, Kramer’s masterpiece will enchant a new generation under the direction of Helpmann Award winner Dean Bryant (Torch the Place), with State Theatre Company South Australia Artistic Director and four-time Helpmann Award winner Mitchell Butel in the pivotal role of Ned.

A star cast will join Butel, including Ainsley Melham (Watershed, Aladdin, Cinderella), Michael Griffiths (Jersey Boys, Cole), Mark Saturno (A View from the Bridge, Hibernation), AJ Pate (recent graduate of the Elder Conservatorium), Evan Lever (Merrily We Roll Along, Muriel’s Wedding), Matt Hyde (Eureka Day) and Anthony Nicola (Decameron 2.0). Emma Jones (Joe vs. Carole) will take on the role of Dr. Emma Brookner, based on the early HIV/AIDS researcher Dr Linda Laubenstein.

At once a political drama of epic Shakespearean proportions and a thrilling tale of family, friendship, love and betrayal, The Normal Heart documents Kramer’s passionate and furious attempts to alert government and media figures about the disease that would go on to kill 39 million people.

Making up The Normal Heart’s creative team is set and costume designer Jeremy Allen (White Pearl, The Loves of Apollo and Dafne), composer Hilary Kleinig (The Gods of Strangers) and sound designer Andrew Howard (Cathedral).

Director Dean Bryant says directing the play, which he discovered during his drama school days is a dream come true:

I can’t remember why I pulled The Normal Heart off the library shelf at drama school but from my first read, I had to bring it to life. It was probably my first exposure to a romance between two men that was taken seriously, as well the idea that people like me young, gay
menmen who had felt like such outsiders – could join to demand their right to live, and to have the disease that was killing them off in their prime taken seriously.

Every time I come back to the play, and it’s been over 20 years now, the sheer rush of the story gets me. I tear up, I laugh, I get angry again. The Normal Heart is a play that explores what an adventure it is to be alive.

Mitchell Butel:

He is delighted to bring Kramer’s ground breaking play to a new generation. I think audiences will be deeply moved, inspired and galvanised by this play into canvassing how they could be better humans and better activists in their own lives in areas where they see discrimination or neglect or failure of governance. I think too they will be enriched by the great show of humanity in the work–that despite the challenges experienced by the characters, what rises most from the piece is that love and support and care and compassion are the things that will save us as a species.

Director Dean Bryant who is a stage master:

I know that with a brilliant and gorgeous cast and under the helm of audiences are in for one of the most stunning nights of theatre they’ll ever see.

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Season Details

Venue: Dunstan Playhouse
Date: 30 Sep-15 Oct 2022

For more information click HERE