Art & Design
Joanna Murray-Smith’s The Gift
Posted by Lou Sanz
26. May, 2011
A week away from the opening of Joanna Murray-Smith’s latest creation; The Gift, Murray-Smith is pleased to say it’s already been picked up for a run on Broadway, even though no boards have been trod. Having had her work performed internationally for over fifteen years is a feat in itself, but to secure staging sight unseen, well that’s a rarity for even the most accomplished Australian playwright.
Obvious talent aside, Murray-Smith puts a lot of her success overseas to overcoming the ‘tyranny of distance’, a problem many Australian theatre makers suffer given how far removed Australia is geographically from the theatre epicentres of New York and London’s West End. By her admission, she has spent a considerable amount of time meeting people “a lot of stuff happens when you meet people, you network, they have a face to your work. It’s far more affective then just sending them a play in the post.”
It is this face time that has seen Murray-Smith’s Honours first public appearance realised as a reading with Meryl Streep, Sam Waterston and Kyra Sedgewick (created whilst studying writing at Columbia University), Scene’s from a Marriage to be directed by Trevor Nunn, starring Imogen Stubbs and saw Annette Bening and David Arquette at the Geffen Playhouse in Murray-Smith’s most controversial piece to date The Female of the Species famously described by Germaine Greer as ‘anti-feminist’.
When asked about the culture of theatre in Australia today though, Murray-Smith is excited as emerging theatre makers now have the means to access a lot more work. “Now is a much more exciting and dynamic time for young writers and directors, as with theatre or any art form you define yourself against what you see.”
The Gift promises a continued exploration of the themes that have resonated throughout most of Murray-Smith’s work; middle class discontent and the role of the outsider threatens to undermine established bourgeois sensibilities, all unfolding like a tense domestic psychological thriller. “It uses the conventions of a thriller to effect significant, profound and personal psychological change, the first act ends on a definite cliff hanger.”
The Gift opens 28th May (runs until the 9th of July by popular demand).
MTC Theatre, Sumner, 140 Southbank Blvd
Directed by Maria Aitken
Bookings: The MTC Theatre Box Office 8688 0800 or www.mtc.com.au
Entertainment
Alessio Carducci: you think youre better than me?
What is the difference between a polemicist and a polygamist? Find out at Alessio Carducci’s outrageously funny and borderline controversial MICF show, you think youre better than me? Runs until April 21 at The Dove Club.
The Terminator Live at Hamer Hall
Experience the cult classic The Terminator on the big screen, with Brad Fiedel’s score performed live by The Replicant Ensemble. Runs May 3rd - May 5th at Hamer Hall.
Wicked
Thrillifying, scandalacious and oh-so ozmopolitan, Wicked is a story of female friendship, love, courage and conquering evil, and is quite simply a theatrical spectacle that cannot be missed. Runs until April 28 at Regent Theatre.
Photo & Video
The 10th Whitelion Bail Out Charity Fundraiser
Bail Out's plans to help out Melbourne's disadvantaged youth.
The Fox Darkroom
Snap away with The Fox Darkroom, a mecca for photography aficionados to learn all about the traditional methods of black and white photography.