Queensland Theatre will continue a national conversation with the opening of the critically acclaimed play At What Cost? by Pakana playwright Nathan Maynard in the productions first-ever Queensland run from Thursday 25 May 2023.
Directed by Queensland Theatre Associate Artist, Isaac Drandic (City of Gold), Queensland will be introduced to a story dealing with intergenerational trauma and displacement of Tasmania’s First Nation’s population and the modern issues of their people.
At What Cost? is the third show that Drandic and Maynard have worked on together, the pair developing a strong bond that is felt right throughout their stories. “Isaac is such a talented Director and super smart, super creative,” said Maynard.
“As a writer, it fills me with so much confidence to know that your Director is going to stay true to your message and Isaac always honours what the writer wants to say.”
Through At What Cost?, Maynard disarms his audience with a story of Country and conflicting histories wading into a highly contentious and intricate discourse surrounding identity.
Set in Putalina (Oyster Cove), Lutruwita (Tasmania), the story follows Boyd, a respected Palawa member tasked with returning the remains of Willam Lanne to his descendants, who discovers that many people are claiming to be Palawa, and he has to confront Tasmania’s complex history to reconcile everyone.
“It’s a little bit dirty, it’s juicy, it’s personal and it has that feeling that you shouldn’t be watching it but you should,” said Maynard.
Retaining the original cast from its Belvoir St season, Boyd is portrayed by Luke Carrol (Black Is the New White, The Cake Man). Returning as Nala is Sandy Greenwood (Stolen, Taboo) and Alex Malone (The Caucasian Chalk Circle, The Lighthouse Girl) as Gracie with Ari Maza Long (God’s Country, A Midsummer Night’s Dream) as Daniel.
“There is a little bit of magic inside At What Cost?. The collaboration between Isaac Drandic and Nathan Maynard is one of the most significant creative partnerships in the country today,” said Queensland Theatre Artistic Director Lee Lewis.
“We feel that this show must be seen up here in Queensland. There is a truly national conversation inside this story that we must be a part of.”
Director: Isaac Drandic | Featuring: Luke Carroll, Sandy Greenwood, Alex Malone, Ari Maza Long | Writer & Associate Director: Nathan Maynard | Set Designer: Jacob Nash | Costume Designer & Set Realiser: Keerthi Subramanyam | Lighting Designer: Chloe Ogilvie | Associate Lighting Designer: Kelsey Lee | Composer: Brendon Boney | Sound Designer: David Bergman | Intimacy Director: Chloë Dallimore | Fight and Movement Director: Nigel Poulton | Dramaturgical Consultant: Peter Matheson | Dramaturg: Dom Mercer | Stage Manager: Steph Storr | Assistant Stage Manager: Mia Kanzaki
At What Cost?
Bille Brown Theatre – Queensland Theatre, 78 Montague Road, South Brisbane
Season: 25 May – 10 June 2023
Information and Bookings: www.queenslandtheatre.com.au
Image: Luke Carroll stars as Boyd in At What Cost? – photo by Brett Boardman