From the team behind the acclaimed production of RUNT – writer Patricia Cornelius (Do not go gentle…), director Susie Dee (Savages), and performer Nicci Wilks (SHIT) – comes BAD BOY – a searing new work that boldly tackles the issue of misogyny and domestic violence, at fortyfivedownstairs from 26 September 2024.
With a long history of collaboration, Dee, Cornelius and Wilks felt it was time to take on this most challenging of subjects, co-creating the character of BAD BOY for Wilks to embody.
A female actor openly playing a male role, Wilks will bring her visceral and often surprisingly comedic physicality to Cornelius’ poetic and grungy text under Dee’s sharp direction, with set and costume design by Romanie Harper, composition and sound design by Kelly Ryall, and lighting design by Jenny Hector.
“We share a similar passion, to create work that says something about our world,” says Dee “We are not afraid to tackle material that is difficult and dirty.”
BAD BOY marks Dee and Cornelius’ continued collaboration with fortyfivedownstairs, where five of Cornelius’ plays have been staged – Do not go gentle, Savages, SHIT, LOVE and RUNT – all to acclaim from audiences and critics.
“We love returning to fortyfive. It’s our home away from home,” says Dee. “We have always been supported and our work is given free reign. We love the intimacy and the aesthetic.”
BAD BOY will also be presented in association with Melbourne Fringe as part of the Festival’s Pulse program, representing an ongoing relationship that stretches back to one of Dee and Cornelius’ first works together, Lily and May, created at La Mama as part of Fringe over 35 years ago. Dee was also recognised with the Melbourne Fringe Living Legend Award in 2018.
“…Dee, Wilks and Cornelius, along with their creative team have forged a stunning piece of theatre that shouldn’t be missed.” – Australian Arts Review (for RUNT)
BAD BOY
fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Season: 27 September – 13 October 2024 (preview: 26 October)
Information and Bookings: www.fortyfivedownstairs.com
Image: BAD BOY – photo by Ponch Hawkes