A thrilling theatrical tale of international intrigue and welfare connecting Kenya, the UK and Australia, the National Theatre of Parramatta presents the world premiere of Flight Paths by award-winning Sydney-based playwright Julian Larnach at the Riverside Theatres Parramatta from 16 March 2018.
Set over a week in the world’s most prestigious university and the world’s largest slum, Flight Paths is a passionate coming-of-age story exploring privilege, families, mobility, Australia’s place in the world and the consequences of charity. Luisa doesn’t know who she is. Tired of being a token of her skin colour, she leaves Australia for university in England hoping for a life unfettered by a complicated past not of her making.
Emily knows she is changing the world. Working for an NGO in Sydney she has figured it out but when she volunteers for one of their programs on the ground in Kenya, she uncovers the unexpected. At the same time their fates are becoming irreversibly entwined with a man who has fallen from the sky.
Directed by Anthea Williams (HIR, Kill the Messenger and Mother’s Ruin: A Cabaret about Gin), Flight Paths will be brought to the stage for the first time with a stellar cast including Ebony Vagulans, Airlie Dodds, Monica Kumar, Richie Morris and Brandon McClelland.
“When I began writing Flight Paths I set about putting worlds on stage that I hadn’t been seeing, populating them with young characters that I hadn’t been hearing in order to prompt discussions about the world that we haven’t been having,” said playwright Julian Larnach. “I am excited to see this new work about Australia’s place in the global community come alive with one of the country’s newest and boldest theatre companies.”
Julian Larnach is a Sydney-based playwright. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and International Relations from the University of Sydney, and a Graduate Diploma of Dramatic Art in Playwriting from the National Institute of Dramatic Art. 2017 saw the world-premiere productions of Folk Song for Outback Theatre for Young People and In Real Life for Darlinghurst Theatre Company.
He has completed creative developments for new works with Sydney Dance Company, Playwriting Australia and Griffin Theatre Company, as well as dramaturgical secondments with Belvoir and Melbourne Theatre Company. He was Resident Playwright at the Australian Theatre for Young People in 2015 and an Affiliate Writer for Griffin Theatre Company in 2013.
Julian has been shortlisted for the Griffin Award for New Australian Playwriting, the Edward Albee Scholarship and the PWA Re-Gen Seed Commission. He is currently a member of the inaugural Sydney Theatre Company’s Emerging Writers Group.
Director: Anthea Williams Featuring: Ebony Vagulans, Airlie Dodds, Monica Kumar, Richie Morris, Brandon McClelland Set & Costume Design: Jeremy Allen Lighting Design: Verity Hampson Sound Design: Michael Toisuta Dramaturg: Tessa Leong Creative Futures: James Elazzi Playwright: Julian Larnach
Flight Paths
Lennox Theatre – Riverside Theatres, Corner Church and Market Streets, Parramatta
Season: 17 – 24 March 2018 (preview: 16 March)
Information and Bookings: www.riversideparramatta.com.au
Image: Monica Kumar and Ebony Vagulans feature in Flight Paths – photo by Robert Catto