An urban story told in free-form snap-rap about street kids selling goods door-to-door, Melbourne Theatre Company presents the Australian premiere of Peddling at the Southbank Theatre from 22 April 2016, before touring regional Victoria and Tasmania.
The ground-breaking debut play from Harry Potter film star Harry Melling, Susie Dee directs NIDA graduate Darcy Brown (Henry V – Bell Shakespeare) – who plays The Boy at the centre of the story – an unnamed, disaffected teenager trying to make sense of his place in the world, his troubled past and his uncertain future.
On his journey of self-discovery, The Boy takes audiences through contemporary London, from streets of establishment mansions to multistorey carparks and empty lots where the homeless and down-and-outs seek refuge.
“There’s a fluid poetry in Harry Melling’s writing that is utterly transfixing and exciting for the creative team and audience alike,” says director Susie Dee. “We will be using live percussion to enhance the inherent lyricism in the piece, to bring the production to life.”
Harry Melling began his career at eleven years of age as an actor in theHarry Potter films playing Dudley Dursley. Since training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Harry has appeared in productions for some of the UK’s leading theatres. He starred in the world premiere production of Peddling at London’s HighTide Festival in 2014 and the production subsequently transferred to New York as part of the ‘Brits Off Broadway Festival’ where it was selected as a New York Times Critic’s Pick.
Susie Dee has worked extensively in theatre as a performer, devisor and director in Australia and overseas for the past thirty years. In 2015 she directed Dee & Cornelius’ critically acclaimed production SHIT for MTC’s NEON Festival of Independent Theatre which has since received four Green Room Awards.
Susie has been the Artistic Director of Melbourne Workers Theatre, Union House Theatre and ICE (Institute of Complex Entertainment). Susie has been nominated for and won numerous awards for her direction, including a 2013 Green Room Award for Savages and a 2014 Green Room nomination for The Long Pigs.
Peddling is MTC’s 2016 Education Production for secondary school students and a key component of the Company’s Education Program. After its Melbourne season Peddling is touring to five regional Victorian performing arts venues and to Launceston College in Tasmania. Performances are open to the general public as well as schools.
Director: Susie Dee Featuring: Darcy Brown Percussionist: Bec Matthews Set & Costume Designer: Marg Horwell Lighting Designer: Andy Turner Composer & Sound Designer: Kelly Ryall
Peddling
The Lawler – Southbank Theatre, Southbank Boulevard, Southbank
Season: 21 April – 6 May 2016
Bookings: (03) 8688 0800 or online at: www.mtc.com.au
The Victorian regional tour takes place: 9 – 27 May 2016. For more information, visit: www.mtc.com.au for details.
Image: Darcy Brown features in Peddling – photo courtesy of MTC