New Artistic Director of Red Stitch Theatre, Ella Caldwell has announced her inaugural season for 2014 revealing eight plays including two world premieres, two Australian premieres and four plays never before seen in Victoria.
“In curating Season 2014 I celebrate our core principles as an artist driven company that nurtures the craft of acting and great writing, meanwhile embarking on new ventures that embrace the evolution of Red Stitch and our audience,” says Ella Caldwell.
“In the coming year we offer a number of world and local premieres and developments with Australian writers, whilst working with some of the best directors in the country.”
2014 sees the return of acclaimed film and theatre director Nadia Tass to direct two productions including the world premiere of award winning US playwright Brooke Berman’s Out Of The Water and the Australian premiere of Annie Baker’s The Flick (Nadia’s 2011 production of Baker’s The Aliens for Red Stitch was a hit with both audiences and critics).
The Flick sees Red Stitch collaborating with the Melbourne International Film Festival for the very first time. This exciting partnership is a groundbreaking venture, which will offer a unique theatre experience in a surprise venue in the heart of the city.
In another first, Red Stitch is working with peddlers of the surreal ARTHUR (Cut Snake, The Sea Project) on a project involving five Australian writers to present the world premiere The Mesh.
ARTHUR director Paige Rattray and writers Jason De Santis, Amelia Evans, Duncan Graham, Dan Giovannoni and Elise Hearst work with Red Stitch ensemble actors to create a multi-voiced, highly physical devised work that promises to upend and entertain in equal measure.
Four Victorian premieres make up part of the 2014 season starting with This Year’s Ashes by Australian playwright Jane Bodie, a romantic comedy about love and loss. This Year’s Ashes is directed by Tim Roseman, Artistic Director of Playwriting Australia.
Next up is the critically acclaimed Grounded by multi award winning US playwright George Brant. Directed by Tanya Dickson, Grounded is a one-woman show about a fighter pilot whose unexpected pregnancy puts her career on hold.
Glory Dazed by UK playwright Cat Jones, directed by Greg Carroll, is a darkly humorous and confronting exploration of the impact of returning soldiers from Afghanistan. And Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl is a contemporary re-imagining of the myth of Orpheus from the perspective of Eurydice, his wife.
Amy Herzog, writer of the critically lauded 4000 Miles from the company’s 2012 season, brings her talents back to Red Stitch with Belleville, a chilling interrogation of deception and dependency set in a Parisian suburb. Denny Lawrence returns to Melbourne to direct.
A hit in 2012, Tom Wells’ production The Kitchen Sink will hit the road and tour regional Victoria from February whilst March provides an extraordinary mini-festival with Playlist.
For one night only, Red Stich will present 12 bite-sized plays by a selection of writers. Each writer creates a play inspired by their favourite song that is only as long as the song itself. Accompanied by live music and performed by Red Stitch actors, the party takes place in underground hub Donkey Wheel House.
“I’m delighted to offer Season 2014 to Melbourne audiences. In addition to premiering exceptional writing from around the world, brought to you by the Red Stitch Actors ensemble, I hope our new collaborations and partnerships will heighten your theatre experience, “ said Caldwell.
After revealing eight plays Red Stitch have decided to keep a little something up their sleeves for the final play for the season. This production will be revealed in 2014, hot off the press.
For the last 13 years, Red Stitch has provided audiences with must see contemporary plays from around the world, and their new season announced last night is no exception. Run by actors for actors, the company is often the first to introduce Melbourne audiences to exciting international playwrights from their intimate space in St Kilda.
For more information, visit: www.redstitch.net for details.
Image: by Sarah Walker