Local First Nations Writer and Director Barbara Hostalek brings you her latest work from 3rd Place Productions, an evocative and exciting new theatre piece, ASK, at The Blue Room Theatre from 12 November 2024.
ASK shares a series of tales of a family’s good and bad behaviours, both deliberate and unintentional. The exchange of asking for a change in them, and the costs connected with this across different time and space realms – magical and recognizable, and at other times magical and absurd.
In the present, one tale looks at estranged and fragmented siblings, each struggling with their own inner turmoil. In the magical elemental world of balance, Mother Nature doesn’t like anything to suffer, and an old and mischievous Tree Spirit springs into action to answer the humanly calls for help, wanting to leave a leafy legacy.
Everyone must pay a fee if the family is to remain together. As they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. There’s always a price to pay and a balance to be met.
ASK was first presented at The Blue Room Theatre as part of Summer Night 600 seconds – Movemovemove program in 2023, curated and mentored by Janine Oxenham and starred actors Taj Pigram, Oliver Hughes and Tehya Makani.
The 600 seconds program was a physical theatre development into the scripted form which had been created by writer Barbara Hostalek in 2021 for ILBIJERRI mini online festival 10 in 10 minutes as ARSKING.
In 2024, ASK continues to expand and move with it’s upcoming production as a part of The Blue Room Theatre’s 2024 Annual Season.
3rd Place Productions is a proud independent WA theatre company that aspires to make you think. Our stories focus on different views of everyday life to make you laugh, cry and see differently.
Joined by a stellar cast of local actors including Jai Craig-Fraser, Leah Pigram and Oliver Hughes, with movement direction by the incredible Janine Oxenham, ASK presents a compelling new story of grief, family, fight and spirit.
Writer/Director: Barbara Hostalek | Featuring: Jai Craig Fraser, Oliver Hughes, Leah Pigram | Movement Director: Janine Oxenham | Stage Manager: Hayley Smith | Producer: Samantha Hortin
ASK
The Blue Room Theatre, 53 James Street, Northbridge (Perth)
Season: 12 – 23 November 2024
Information and Bookings: www.blueroom.org.au
Image: Leah Pigram, Jai Craig Fraser and Oliver Hughes – photo by Cole Baxter