Annual Report 2003 - Queensland Theatre Company

Artistic DevelopmentWriting ProgramDolls and Dolls by Natalie Hennedige (Singapore)Dolls and Dolls is the story of a young woman, whose emptyand lonely life has set a steady pattern for itself. She ishaving some strange visitors who throw her life into turmoil.Date: 26 to 31 May 2003Venue:Directors:Bille Brown Studio,Queensland Theatre CompanyLeticia CáceresScott WittEmerging Writers’ NetworkIn 2003, Queensland Theatre Company established anEmerging Writers’ Network for a selected group ofQueensland playwrights to build their writing skills anddevelop their plays over the course of the year. The selectedwriters met bi-monthly with the Company’s artistic staff.They were given access to the 2003 ensemble of emergingactors and directors in addition to the expert dramaturgicaladvice of Michael Gow. In addition, they were offered accessto the Company’s script archive/library and were invited toall Queensland Theatre Company events.Cast:Stage Manager:Mark ConaghanLaurel CollinsKellie LazarusDaniel MurphyBryan ProbetsJean-Marc RussChris Philippi2003 Emerging Writers:Marcel Dorney with his play ReturnReturn is a mordantly humorous tribute to women who findstrength in each other in troublesome times.Rob Doran with his play Orion’s WayOrion’s Way tells the story of Harry who tries to come toterms with his father, brother and his relationship to women.Feedback from playwrights and partners on The Works:I have greatly benefited in my development as an artist dueto the exposure it gave me to local actors and directors, aswell as clarifying my voice as an Australian writer within aninternational context.Matthew Ryan, Queensland playwrightI feel privileged that the theatre I am working for is part ofthis exciting initiative between such network of theatres.Jakob Murray, Royal Exchange Theatre, UKJulia Rose is a complex and innovative play and we arehonoured to be part of this international collaboration – acollaboration which will nurture emerging playwrights, suchas Matthew Ryan and Natalie, and contribute more originalcontemporary plays to the world.Haresh Sharma, The Necessary Stage, SingaporeThe Works is an innovative and practical program designedto spread national talent internationally. In an age when onewould hope that technology would play a part in drawingthe global community closer, current political problemsseem to be making us more insular. Therefore a program likethis invaluable in its reach.Paul Herzberg, UK playwrightKara Beavis with her play Coisas Da Vida (The Things of Life)Coisas da Vida explores gender, the senses, the interactionof time and memory.Maxine Mellor with her play The Cicada MovementThe Cicada Movement follows Cid on his journey out of adarkness bringing with him a patchy memory of his youngsister’s death and his own involvement in the tragic accident.Catherine To with her play EphemereEphemere explores family relationships gone wrong and theimportance of truth, trust and love.Josh McAtamney with his play The Mae CarouselThe Mae Carousel follows the young woman Feyth in herfight against time and change in a show of how destructivedevotion truly is.Date: 4 December 2003Venue:Directors:Bille Brown Studio,Queensland Theatre CompanyLeticia CáceresScott WittCast:Stage Manager:Jaydn BoweLaurel CollinsMark ConaghanMichael FutcherKelly LazarusJodie Le VesconteChris Philippi“Sheeremotionalimpact”A n n u a l R e p o r t 31