The Magic Hour

Magic Hour editorialThought you knew Grimm’s fairy tales? Think again. Little Red Riding Hood meets Trainspotting in this wicked retelling of classic bedtime stories. From one of Australia’s most original contemporary playwrights, Vanessa Bates comes The Magic Hour – a collection of dark, devilish tales where desolate, twilight Australia burns from gutters and back streets amid dark humour and soulful songs.

Helpmann Award winning singer and actress, Ursula Yovich will wow audiences in this valiant one-woman comedy that presents tangled messages cloaked in intrigue and mystery faced by unyielding courage. Star of films Australia, Jindabyne and The Secret River, Yovich takes on a the roles of familiar female characters, weaving a twisted and wild energy into these reworked tales from the Brothers’ Grimm.

Audiences will feel the mystery and the bewitchment of this staunch stage performance, where malevolent animals creep through the forest and malicious spirits threaten to attack the human core through a manifestation of dark metaphors reflecting relevant issues in contemporary Australia.

“A stimulating evening with a fine new work and a performer at the top of her game… a potent nuanced performance that had the audience on its feet at the curtain… I was entranced as any kid reading a bedtime story.” – The West Australian

Director: Chris Bendall  Performer: Ursula Yovich  Designer: Alicia Clements  Lighting Designer & Original Music: Joe Lui

The Magic Hour
Bille Brown Studio – Queensland Theatre Company, 78 Montague Road, South Brisbane
Season: 20 – 31 May 2014
Bookings: (07) 3010 7600 or online at: www.queenslandtheatre.com.au

Produced and toured by Performing Lines WA, The Magic Hour is also the swansong performance from Fremantle’s Deckchair Theatre. For more information, visit: www.queenslandtheatre.com.au for details.

Image: courtesy of  Performing Lines WA