From one of Australia’s most daring and witty playwrights, Vanessa Bates comes a Every Second – a comedic look at a very modern dilemma, presented by Darlinghurst Theatre Company at the Eternity Playhouse for a limited season from 27 June.
Every Second tells the story of two thirty-something couples desperate to have children. They’ve given up sushi and champagne, as well as their sanity. Both couples discover conception is not as easy as they once thought and assume they’re impervious to the stress of infertility.
Full of wry observations and bitter truths, Every Second takes a comedic look at a very modern dilemma. Several years ago, in her mid-thirties, playwright Vanessa Bates discovered that she and her partner were infertile. They embarked on the rollercoaster that is Chinese herbs, acupuncture and IVF.
“It was absurd but it was also nightmarish and draining and expensive, and I don’t just mean that in the monetary sense,’ said Vanessa. “At the time we felt terribly alone, none of our friends seemed to be like us. Now, it all seems horribly common. Every Second came out of that experience.”
Vanessa Bates is a graduate of the NIDA Playwrights’ Studio and an award winning writer for theatre and radio drama. Her plays include: Chipper, Every Second, The Magic Hour, Porn.Cake , Checklist for an Armed Robber, The Night We Lost Jenny, Match, A Little Bit Each Night and Darling Oscar.
Vanessa’s plays have been produced by Griffin Theatre, Malthouse Theatre, Deckchair Theatre, Tantrum Theatre, Freewheels Theatre In Education, Theatre@risk, Belvoir B-Sharp, Sydney Theatre Company, atyp, Black Swan, Vitalstatistix and ABC Radio National. As one seventh of playwrights’ company 7-ON, she is the co-author of No Nudity, Weapons or Naked Flames – a book of monologues for acting students.
Director Shannon Murphy is thrilled to be bringing this play to an audience for the first time. “I believe Vanessa to be one of our country’s greatest female playwrights. The structure of her work and the truth and vulnerability of her characters are incredibly unique.”
“Her talent is being recognised overseas and I want Australia to have the opportunity to see her newest work and experience the world premiere before it goes offshore.”
Director: Shannon Murphy Cast: Simon Corfield, Glenn Hazeldine, Julia Ohannessian, Georgina Symes Set Designer: Andy McDonnell Costume Designer: Rita Carmody Lighting Designer: Verity Hampson Sound Designer/Composer: Tiernan Cross Movement Director: Samantha Chester
Every Second
Eternity Playhouse, 39 Burton Street, Darlinghurst
Season: 27 June -27 July 2014
Bookings: (02) 8356 9987 or online at: www.darlinghursttheatre.com
For more information, visit: www.darlinghursttheatre.com for details.
Image: by Frank Farrugia