A potent tale of actions and consequences, family and empire and what happens when the bee finally stings, Red Stitch Actors Theatre presents the world premiere of Caleb Lewis’ The Honey Bees.
The play is about economics and our relationship to the natural world. As the last remaining country yet unaffected by Colony Collapse Disorder – the mysterious condition that has ravaged the world’s bees, Australia’s position is unique.
As the world’s honeybees disappear, a family-owned honey business struggles to keep up with overseas demand. Driven by matriarch Joan’s iron will, the business stands to make a fortune. And then Melissa arrives out of the blue. Can we learn from the mistakes of others and what is our own individual responsibility in a globalised world?
The Honey Bees was developed through the Red Stitch’s successful INK new writing program, following 2015’s acclaimed Jurassica by Dan Giovanonni, and is directed by Artistic Director, Ella Caldwell.
“I am so thrilled that Ella will direct the play in its inaugural production. She has assembled a stellar cast and it’s thrilling to see the characters and their world come to life, “ said writer Caleb Lewis.
Caleb Lewis is a multi-award-winning playwright whose work has been produced locally and internationally. He has twice been shortlisted for the Griffin Award, and is the winner of an Inscription Award, the Mitch Mathews Award an AWGIE and in 2010 became the inaugural winner of the Richard Burton Award for New Plays.
His plays include Dogfall, Nailed, Men, Love and the Monkeyboy, Death in Bowengabbie, Rust and Bone and Destroyer of Worlds, which premiered at the 2015 Adelaide Fringe and was named ‘a brand new Fringe treasure’ by The Australian.
Director: Ella Caldwell Featuring: Rebecca Bower, Christopher Brown, Marta Kaczmarek, Katerina Kotsonis, Eva Seymour Set & Costume Design: Sophie Woodward Lighting Design: Daniel Anderson Composition: Daniel Nixon
The Honey Bees
Red Stitch Actors Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel Street, East St. Kilda
Season continues to 16 July 2016
Information and Bookings: www.redstitch.net
Image: Eva Seymour features in The Honey Bees (supplied)