The White Divers of Broome

The White Divers of Broome

By Hilary Bell

WORLD PREMIERE!

28 January – 16 February 2012

In the boom times of 1912 Broome, Sydney Pigott is a wealthy pearling master looking for a way around the White Australia Policy, anxious to keep his cheap Asian workers – and his high profits.

Webber, Sanders and Beasily are the cream of the British Navy deep sea divers. Hired by Pigott, they arrive in Broome naïvely convinced they’ll prove their skills when they hit the hazardous seas and collect the precious mother-of-pearl. But desperate Asian crews, shadowy alliances and the ruthless environment of Broome are against the white divers from the beginning.

From the brothels to the ballrooms to the deep seas, it’s a cutthroat world and trust is hard to find.

Inspired by the book of the same name by John Bailey, The White Divers of Broome is a celebration of boom time Broome and its exotic clash of cultures. Be captivated by a stirring account of greed, betrayal, loyalty and survival that resonates through the years.

This is the Black Swan State Theatre Company’s first production coming for the 2012 season.

This production also includes all scenes between the Japanese characters Nishi (played by Yutaka Izumihara) and Yukiko (played by Miyuki Lotz) to be spoken in Japanese with English subtitles.

• Venue: Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre of WA
• Director: Kate Cherry
• Featuring: Caitlin Beresford-Ord, Nick Candy, Adriane Daff, Kylie Farmer [Kaarljilba Kaardn], Michelle Fornasier, Stuart Halusz, Sean Hawkins, Yutaka Izumihara, Miyuki Lotz, Greg McNeill, Kenneth Moraleda, Jo Morris, Tom O’Sullivan, Ian Toyne
• Tickets: Standard $69.50 / Concession $54.50 / Previews $52.50 / Family Package $158 / Groups 8+ $53.50 (plus 1 free ticket for every 10 tickets purchased) / Students $29.50
• Warning: Some coarse language and adult themes.
• Bookings: BOCS Ticketing, ph (08) 9484 1133, Groups 8+ ph (08) 9321 6831, online

More info here

Barking Gecko Theatre Company 2011 Workshops

Starting 9th February 2011, Barking Gecko Theatre Company introduces its BGTC Workshop program for children and young people aged between 3 and 18 years at the Subiaco Arts Centre. BGTC Workshops are designed to ignite creativity and unlock the imagination of Perth’s artistic youth.

Each week during school term, budding artists will work with industry trained tutors and guest industry practitioners to accelerate their learning in all areas of the performing arts. BGTC Workshops connect participants directly to people working in the performing arts industry and provide sneak peeks into the development of new works at Barking Gecko Theatre Company.

BGTC Workshops are a supportive environment where young people can explore valuable tools such as role play and body language to encourage creative thinking, problem solving and communication skills.

BGTC Workshops are taught by skilled industry tutors who aim to make time spent at Barking Gecko a fun, rich and rewarding experience for all participants.

There are four workshops available:

• Good Morning Maggie for 3 – 6 year olds – An introduction to the world of children’s literature for young children.

• Acting Up for 7 – 10 year olds – Stimulate imagination and build confidence. This is a great step into the world of performing arts.

• Skilling Up for 11 – 13 year olds – Explore International and Australian scripts to further develop performing arts skills.

• Acting Intensive for 14 – 18 year olds – Work with experienced actors to develop essential skills in acting for stage and screen.

BGTC Workshops commence on Saturday, 12th February at the Subiaco Arts Centre. Good Morning Maggie storytelling workshops, for 3 – 6 year olds, begin on Wednesday, 9th February.

For more information, or to book, visit barking gecko or call 9380 3080.

Free theatre: Wanneroo

The City of Wanneroo, Class Act Theatre Inc and Bare Naked Theatre Company are presenting a free adaptation of Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales into modern English by Stephen Quinn. There are three separate performances over three nights.

The Canterbury Tales is a hilarious fast-paced modern adaptation of Chaucer’s original medieval poem. Thirty pilgrims set off for Canterbury to visit the shrine of Thomas Becket. To while away the journey they tell each other stories: stories of love and lust, stupidity and passion, chivalry and greed.

Performances start at 7pm; you can buy food there. Tickets are free but to confirm numbers you’ll have to book: see details below.

The Canterbury Tales

Where: Jacaranda Amphitheatre, City of Wanneroo Civic Centre, 23 Dundebar Rd, Wanneroo
Map: View Map or View Perth Map
Date: 14, 15, 16 Feb 2008 (Thu-Sat)
Cost: Free
Transport information: Down the freeway, turn off on Ocean Reef Rd, left onto Wanneroo Rd, right onto Dundebar. Alternatively, go down Charles St from the city until it becomes Wanneroo Rd.
You could also go by train and catch a bus from Joondalup station, or take #346 from town.
Enquiries & tickets: Cultural Development (08) 9405 5645

The Lady Aoi

As part of the 2007 UWA Perth International Arts Festival, the Black Swan Theatre Company is presenting The Lady Aoi, an adaptation of a work by famed Japanese post-war writer Mishima Yukio.

Mishima is perhaps best known for his novels, such as the prize-winning reflection on purity and true love The Sound of Waves and the confronting, psycho-sexual Confessions of a Mask, but he also wrote extensively for classical Noh and Kabuki theatre. All his work hints at the tension within his own life, which ultimately ended in 1970 when he tried to lead a coup d’etat to reinstate the Emperor as the effective ruler of Japan and then committed hara-kiri upon its failure.

The official promo for Matthew Lutton’s adaptation of Mishima’s play reads:

Suspended in a restless sleep, the Lady Aoi lies on the brink of death in hospital. Disturbed by her mysterious illness, her young husband discovers that he is not her only visitor. His jealous ex-lover Yasuko has become a late-night regular at Aoi’s bedside.

You can catch this modern interpretation of a history-rich Noh piece until February 17 at the Playhouse Theatre – 3 Pier St, Perth. For more info and ticketing, check out the promo site.