Constellations

The Street Theatre Constellations Kristian Jenkins and Lexi Sekuless - photo by Novel PhotographicConsidered to be one of the most exciting new love stories of this generation, Canberra’s The Street Theatre presents Nick Payne’s Constellations – an explosive, head in the stars comedy about love, fate and free will – for a limited season from 14 July 2017.

“The staging of Constellations at The Street gives our early career artists a tremendous opportunity to creatively respond to this ingenious, witty, and intellectually searching work,” says director Caroline Stacey.

As a newcomer in the growing number of dramatists and theatre companies turning to science for imagination, Harold Pinter Award winner Nick Payne wraps science in romance giving audiences a moving play with two actors and lots of room for imagination.

Marianne and Roland are polar opposites. A sophisticated quantum physicist and an easy going beekeeper. String theory, parallel universes and Sliding Doors moments set the scene for this quirky and charming romance of endless invention. Every moment that they share together from first encounter on is played out in an ensemble of universes.

Nick Payne wrote the play at 26 years of age dramatically changing the course of his own career. A young artist’s career can take many unexpected turns as he and Canberra-based actor Lexi Sekuless would agree.

Since returning to Australia from London where she studied at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama, learning from some of the UK’s top tutors, and performing roles such as Lady Anne in Richard III at The Globe, Lexi Sekuless steps into the role of Marianne in Payne’s Constellations.

Kristian Jenkins debuts at The Street opposite Lexi as love interest Roland, bringing stage and film credits from London to Los Angeles, including National Theatre Wales, SOHO Theatre London, Actors Co-op LA, and playing Macbeth for Welsh company Sherman Theatre. Film work includes Sean in Sphinx: Genesis, and Frank in the award-winning indie flick, Stealing Elvis (UK).

Artistic Director Caroline Stacey, working with set and costume designer Imogen Keen, has excitedly welcomed up and coming Canberra theatre designers, Owen Horton (lighting) and Kyle Sheedy (sound) in their first professional engagements at The Street.

Around the globe, Constellations has had different directors, different stage designs and different actors, including well-known stars Ruth Wilson and Jake Gyllenhaal on Broadway. What will remain the same at The Street is that a story of one couple will unfold through multiple and differing stories between two lovers – sometimes never getting past an awkward hello.

A graduate of the Royal Court Young Writer’s Programme, Nick Payne is a British playwright who studied at the University of York and subsequently at the Central School of Speech and Drama. His plays include: If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet which won the George Devine Award; Wanderlust; The Same Deep Water As Me, Blurred Lines and The Art of Dying.

Constellations opened at London’s Royal Court Theatre in 2012 to rave reviews before moving to the West-End later that year. It won the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Play, making Payne the youngest playwright to win the award.

“The nearest I’ve come across in ages to a play that feels heaven-sent.” – The New York Times

Director: Caroline Stacey Featuring: Kristian Jenkins, Lexi Sekuless Set & Costume Design: Imogen Keen Lighting Design: Owen Horton Sound Design: Kyle Sheedy

Constellations
The Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street, Canberra City West
Season: 15 – 29  July 2017 (preview: 14 July)
Information and Bookings: www.thestreet.org.au

Image: Kristian Jenkins and Lexi Sekuless star in Constellations – photo by Novel Photographic