Incognito

Red Stitch Incognito - photo by Rob Blackburn Photography and Work Art Life.jpgFounding Red Stitch Ensemble members Ella Caldwell and Brett Cousins will extend their 16 year creative relationship, co-directing the Australian premiere of Incognito by Olivier Award-nominated UK playwright Nick Payne.

Tracing three interwoven stories (two of which are based on true events) across time and continents, Incognito is a dramatic intellectual puzzle about the workings of that most mysterious organ, the brain. It asks the ultimate question of humanity – how do we give our lives meaning?

It’s 1955 in New Jersey and Princeton Pathologist Thomas Stotz has just performed an autopsy on the recently deceased Albert Einstein – and then proceeds to steal his brain. In 1953, Bath, England, Henry undergoes pioneering brain surgery to cure his epilepsy, which results in an inability create new memories. In present day London, Martha a contemporary neuropsychologist, struggles to understand her own mind even as she probes the minds of others.

Nick Payne has cemented his reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting playwrights with a string of thought-provoking and engaging plays. From the quantum mechanics filtered love of Constellations, to his recent exploration of personal injury claims in The Same Deep Water as Me, his plays are rousing and concise dramas that explore unusual themes.

The production will feature Red Stitch ensemble members Paul Ashcroft, Kate Cole, and Ben Prendergast, alongside guest actor Jing-Xuan Chan, together playing a total of 21 characters. The creative team will include set and costume design by Chloe Greaves, lighting design by Tom Wills, with composition and sound design by THE SWEATS (Pete Goodwin).

Directors: Ella Caldwell, Brett Cousins Featuring: Paul Ashcroft, Kate Cole, Ben Prendergast, Jing-Xuan Chan Set and Costume Design: Chloe Greaves Lighting Design: Tom Willis Composition and Sound Design: THE SWEATS Dialect Coach: Jean Goodwin Stage Manager: Natasha Marich

Incognito
Red Stitch Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel Street, St Kilda
Season: 22 July – 13 August 2017 (preview: 20 July)
Information and Bookings: www.redstitch.net

Image: Red Stitch presents Incognito – photo by Rob Blackburn Photography and Work Art Life