Lottie in the Late Afternoon

“There were so many things I loved about it – the claustrophobic setting, the terrifying cliff, the unusual characters, the language, the rhythms of the script the humour and even the stage directions”- Marg Downey, Director, Lottie in the Late Afternoon.

Stepping into one of Melbourne’s most renowned and multifaceted creative hubs fortyfivedownstairs, you are immediately immersed in smoke and haze, a battered vintage piano covered in a plethora of overgrown flowers and weed guides us to the meticulously created wooden frame of a house, timber patio chairs are front and centre on the otherwise bare stage. Our weekend with Lottie and guests is about to commence.

Lottie in the Late Afternoon is presented by the KIN collective. Coming to fruition in 2011, the KIN collective was formed by members who worked under the guidance and expert tutelage of acting coach, Larry Moss. The Kin Collective believes in a theatre that: challenges and confronts; is breathtaking and unexpected; and speaks from the heart and celebrates life.

The quality of the production is impressive to say the least. Under the successful directorial debut of one of Australia’s leading comedy actors, Marg Downey (Fast Forward, Kath & Kim and Open Slather) the entire star-studded cast bring award-winning Australian playwright and screenwriter, Amelia Roper’s diverse and well-balanced characters to life in an engaging and thought-provoking piece of theatre. Lottie in the Late Afternoon creates a sense of voyeurism as the audience is immersed in a weekend away with Lottie and, in her mind, nearest and dearest friends. 

The characters are a particular highlight. Ryan played by Linc Hasler (City Homicide, The Doctor Blake Series, Miss Fischer’s Murder Mysteries) challenges masculine clichés with his puppy dog-like enthusiasm and irrational panic attacks, Clara played by Michala Banas (Upper Middle Bogan, McLeods Daughters, Winners and Losers and Beaconsfield) is portrayed as a staunch and independent woman who begins to unravel when her love affair with a confused Anne begins to crumble. Anne played by Ally Fowler (Wentworth, All Saints, Scorched, Secret Life of Us) arrives having just come from an abortion clinic, her life spiralling out of control right in front of the audience. 

An outstanding performance was also carried out by Laura Maitland (Macbeth ReArisen, The Doctor Blake Mysteries, Neighbours and Underbelly) who played the intense, anxious-ridden Lottie who merely wanted to share her non-holiday weekend away to New England (USA) with her ‘closest’ friends.

Lottie in the Late Afternoon brings new meaning to the phrase ‘emotional rollercoaster’. Through a range of symbolic stagecraft, directorial/writer choices as well as humorous one liners, the audience develops empathy towards the narcissistic characters. The complex storyline addresses the issues of art, sadness and the dangers of nostalgia. The issues and complications of communications and connectedness in a modern world are also addressed alongside ideas of feeling good for others.

“What does it mean to live simply for oneself? … What do people who are not writers do with all these sad, weird, inconvenient feelings? Why am I so obsessed with creating and sharing stories, as though anything I experience alone means nothing without an audience?” Amelia Roper, writer, Lottie in the Late Afternoon. 

If you are someone who has or is struggling with issues involving self-consciousness and the idea of being alone, then you really should spend a late afternoon with Lottie.

Lottie in the Late Afternoon 
fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD
Till Sunday, 30 September 2018
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