15 Minutes from Anywhere presents an invasion story like no other in their thrillingly subversive adaptation of Kenneth Mackay’s 19th Century novel, The Yellow Wave – the second production on as part of Melbourne’s brand new Poppy Seed Festival at The Butterfly Club from 18 November 2015.
Subtitled, A Romance of the Asiatic Invasion of Australia, The Yellow Wave was published in 1895 and tells an epic story of love, heroism and sacrifice as Australia is invaded by a Russian-led ‘Mongol’ horde.
At its beating heart is a doomed love triangle between two remarkable men and one extraordinary woman. The story unfolds as our beloved wide brown land is overrun in this exciting but prescient tale of war, romance and boat arrivals, a scenario that taps into some current-day political beliefs.
15 Minutes from Anywhere have condensed the original 400-page script into 70, action-packed minutes, where just two actors play over 20 characters. Keith Brockett, best known for his role playing Ky Lee in in ABC’s award-winning cult hit The Librarians, shares the stage with John Marc Desengano, with narration from Andrea McCannon.
This is the fifth show in three years from Melbourne-based theatre company 15 Minutes from Anywhere and follows productions such as Mein Kampf, Motherf###er and Cuckoo. The company is an artistic collaboration between director Beng Oh and writer Jane Miller who together aim to create new Australian works as well as explore the lesser known and interesting parts of the repertoire.
Jane Miller’s True Love Travels on Gravel Road was a 2011 recipient of the RE Ross Trust Playwrights’ Script Development Award and its production at fortyfivedownstairs officially launched 15 Minutes from Anywhere in 2013. Other credits include Perfect Stillness and the sell-out season of Happily Ever After at La Mama (2010), also directed by Beng Oh.
As well as two seasons of Mein Kampf, Beng is best known for directing the Green Room Award nominated production of Porcelain by Chay Yew and the Australian premiere of Tom Fool (aka Mensch Meier) by Franz Xaver Kroetz.
Writer: Jane Miller Director: Beng Oh Featuring: Keith Brockett, John Marc Desengano Narrator: Andrea McCannon Set Designer: Emily Collett Lighting Designer: Matthew Barber
The Yellow Wave
The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, Melbourne
Season: 18 – 29 November 2015 (preview: 17 November)
Bookings: (03) 9663 8107 or online at: www.thebutterflyclub.com
For more information, visit: www.poppyseed.net.au for details.
Image: Keith Brockett, John Marc Desengano feature in The Yellow Wave (supplied)