LOST: 5

Poppy Seed Theatre Festival LOST 5 - photo by Jule Tahan (UA Creative)A streetscape, reminiscent of Flinders Street in Melbourne, home to many who are lost; lost to society, to their families and often, to themselves.

Director of Illumi-Nation Theatre, Michele McNamara, has brought together five poetic monologues from Award-winning Australian playwright, Daniel Keene that invite audiences to consider the multi-faceted issue of homelessness through the eyes of those who have found themselves, simply, yet despairingly, lost.

Illumi-Nation Theatre is dedicated to illuminating and humanizing issues of social justice, giving voice to those in the community to have been misunderstood, unjustly treated or marginalized and promoting greater understanding of the hidden complexities involved.

The success of their production 4.48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane for the recent Melbourne Fringe Festival, that highlighted issues of mental health demonstrates that this company is willing and able to bring the difficult issues to the attention of Melbourne audiences.

Ilumi-Nation Theatre will, once again, collaborate with composer and sound design MBYRO (Matt Brown) who will perform on stage with the ensemble. In addition to his original compositions he will sample organic street sounds and bring forth a sense of multiculturalism through music and spoken word.

Daniel Keene has been acclaimed throughout Australia, the United States and Poland and since the late 1990s has established himself as one of Europe’s most notable contemporary playwrights. The monologues chosen by McNamara are: A Foundling; Two Shanks; Getting Shelter; The Rain; and Kaddish.

Lost: 5 is a direct response to the unacceptable situation faced by those who have no place to call home and although we, as a company do not have the resources to help, we can initiate conversation.

LOST: 5
Irene Mitchell Studio, 44 St Martins Lane, South Yarra
Season: 23 November – 3 December 2017 (preview: 22 November)
Information and Bookings: www.poppyseed.net.au

Image: LOST: 5 – photo by Jule Tahan (UA Creative)