By Douglas Rintoul
ELEGY
Some stories are more powerful than others… he’s worried his isn’t powerful enough.
Elegy was the Australian premiere of an innovative piece from the UK exploring the unimaginable homophobia still occurring in “post-liberation” Iraq, and the horrific realities imposed on any minority group faced with no choice but to flee.
The play at first appears to be an intimate account of one man’s impossible love for his best friend but, gradually, our young man pieces together a deeper story: of love and flight, of empty train stations and bomb-blasted towns, of a world where local militia “disappear” his friends one by one.
It slowly builds to the shocking revelation that these stories are, in fact, true.
Based on verbatim interviews with refugee survivors of brutal regimes and inspired by images from photojournalist Bradley Secker, Elegy is a lyrical, searing exploration of loss, displacement and a longing for home.
Currently starring Gareth Reeves (Pete’s Dragon, Underbelly) and directed by John Kachoyan (Bell Shakespeare), it is a lament for lives in exile and more importantly for the dead that they have left behind.
At a time when elected leaders maintain their commitment to “turning back the boats”, and still show resistance on issues such as marriage equality, this award-winning work lays bare the human cost of these vote-seeking headlines.
Running Time: 50 minutes (no interval).
Audience advice: Adult themes.
Major Presenting Sponsor: Quiz Meisters Trivia.
“A deeply affecting and sensitively realised account… This play connects us, on a level that transcends nationality, to an unimaginable situation… Yes, this play made me feel ashamed, but I feel deeply grateful for that.” –
Limelight Magazine
“A disconcertingly powerful work brings its audience so close that it’s impossible to keep the story at a safe or forgettable distance.” –
The Age
“This is a finely polished, extremely accomplished and deeply moving piece of theatre; it deserves to tour widely.” –
Arts Hub
Douglas Rintoul
Writer
Nick Simpson-Deeks
Performer (2016)
Russell Goldsmith
Sound Design
Lyall Brooks
Producer
John Kachoyan
Director
Rob Sowinski
Designer
Bradley Secker
Photojournalist
Adam Fawcett
Producer
Gareth Reeves
Performer (2018)
Bryn Cullen
Designer
Amber Bock
Prod./Stage Manager
Artwork design by Nick Simpson-Deeks.
Production photography by Sarah Walker.
Date: 19 Jan – 6 Feb 2016
Event: Midsumma Festival (Premier Event)
Venue: Gasworks Arts Park – Melbourne VIC
Performances: 12
Australian premiere season performed by Nick Simpson-Deeks
2018 Victorian Tour
starring Gareth Reeves
Date: 16-20 May 2018
Presenter: Theatre Works
Venue: Theatre Works, St Kilda VIC
Date: 25 May 2018
Presenter: Stratford Courthouse
Venue: Stratford Courthouse, Stratford VIC
Date: 26 May 2018
Presenter: Baw Baw Shire Council
Venue: JD Algie Hall, Neerim South VIC
Date: 9 Aug 2018
Presenter: Hamilton Performing Arts Centre
Venue: Hamilton Performing Arts Centre, Hamilton VIC
Date: 14-15 Aug 2018
Presenter: Geelong Performing Arts Centre
Venue: Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Geelong VIC
Date: 16 Aug 2018
Presenter: Monash University MLive
Venue: Alexander Theatre, Clayton VIC
Date: 17 Aug 2018
Presenter: The Bowery Theatre
Venue: The Bowery Theatre, St Albans VIC
Date: 18 Aug 2018
Presenter: Wyndham Cultural Centre
Venue: Wyndham Cultural Centre, Werribee VIC
This tour of Elegy is proudly supported by Regional Arts Victoria and our premier partner Quiz Meisters Trivia.
- Synopsis
-
Elegy was the Australian premiere of an innovative piece from the UK exploring the unimaginable homophobia still occurring in “post-liberation” Iraq, and the horrific realities imposed on any minority group faced with no choice but to flee.
The play at first appears to be an intimate account of one man’s impossible love for his best friend but, gradually, our young man pieces together a deeper story: of love and flight, of empty train stations and bomb-blasted towns, of a world where local militia “disappear” his friends one by one.
It slowly builds to the shocking revelation that these stories are, in fact, true.
Based on verbatim interviews with refugee survivors of brutal regimes and inspired by images from photojournalist Bradley Secker, Elegy is a lyrical, searing exploration of loss, displacement and a longing for home.
Currently starring Gareth Reeves (Pete’s Dragon, Underbelly) and directed by John Kachoyan (Bell Shakespeare), it is a lament for lives in exile and more importantly for the dead that they have left behind.
At a time when elected leaders maintain their commitment to “turning back the boats”, and still show resistance on issues such as marriage equality, this award-winning work lays bare the human cost of these vote-seeking headlines.
Running Time: 50 minutes (no interval).
Audience advice: Adult themes.
Major Presenting Sponsor: Quiz Meisters Trivia.
- Reviews & Awards
-
“A deeply affecting and sensitively realised account… This play connects us, on a level that transcends nationality, to an unimaginable situation… Yes, this play made me feel ashamed, but I feel deeply grateful for that.” –
Limelight Magazine“A disconcertingly powerful work brings its audience so close that it’s impossible to keep the story at a safe or forgettable distance.” –
The Age“This is a finely polished, extremely accomplished and deeply moving piece of theatre; it deserves to tour widely.” –
Arts Hub - Cast & Creatives
-
Douglas Rintoul
WriterNick Simpson-Deeks
Performer (2016)Russell Goldsmith
Sound DesignLyall Brooks
ProducerJohn Kachoyan
DirectorRob Sowinski
DesignerBradley Secker
PhotojournalistAdam Fawcett
ProducerGareth Reeves
Performer (2018)Bryn Cullen
DesignerAmber Bock
Prod./Stage ManagerArtwork design by Nick Simpson-Deeks.
Production photography by Sarah Walker. - History
-
Date: 19 Jan – 6 Feb 2016
Event: Midsumma Festival (Premier Event)
Venue: Gasworks Arts Park – Melbourne VIC
Performances: 12Australian premiere season performed by Nick Simpson-Deeks
- 2018 Tour
-
2018 Victorian Tour
starring Gareth ReevesDate: 16-20 May 2018
Presenter: Theatre Works
Venue: Theatre Works, St Kilda VICDate: 25 May 2018
Presenter: Stratford Courthouse
Venue: Stratford Courthouse, Stratford VICDate: 26 May 2018
Presenter: Baw Baw Shire Council
Venue: JD Algie Hall, Neerim South VICDate: 9 Aug 2018
Presenter: Hamilton Performing Arts Centre
Venue: Hamilton Performing Arts Centre, Hamilton VICDate: 14-15 Aug 2018
Presenter: Geelong Performing Arts Centre
Venue: Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Geelong VICDate: 16 Aug 2018
Presenter: Monash University MLive
Venue: Alexander Theatre, Clayton VICDate: 17 Aug 2018
Presenter: The Bowery Theatre
Venue: The Bowery Theatre, St Albans VICDate: 18 Aug 2018
Presenter: Wyndham Cultural Centre
Venue: Wyndham Cultural Centre, Werribee VICThis tour of Elegy is proudly supported by Regional Arts Victoria and our premier partner Quiz Meisters Trivia.