An offbeat comedy about finding light even in the darkest of times, Ensemble Theatre presents Laura Wade’s emotional award-winning play, Colder Than Here, from 16 September 2024.
Faced with a life-threatening illness, Myra focuses on getting her affairs in order. Her quirky family on the other hand, remain absorbed in their own issues.
Amongst planning her final days and exploring coffin options, Myra’s one deepest desire remains – to mend the fractures within her broken family. Will her efforts succeed in bringing them closer together?
“It’s about relationship as all good plays are… it’s about the revelation of each of the individual characters journey…it’s about people coming out of themselves,” said Huw Higginson (TV’s The Bill) who plays Myra’s husband, Alec.
Directed by Janine Watson (Alone it Stands), the cast also includes Hannah Waterman (Summer of Harold) as Myra, as well as Airlie Dodds (The Gloaming) and Charlotte Friels (The Dressmaker) playing Myra’s daughters Harriet and Jenna.
“You should be moved to tears… but moved to tears of laughter as well,” said Hannah Waterman.
An honest yet comic look into the way people face the complexities of life with humour, sometimes avoidance but mostly, love.
Laura Wade is a playwright and screenwriter. Her recent plays include The Watsons (Chichester Festival Theatre and Menier Chocolate Factory), and Home, I’m Darling (National Theatre, Theatr Clwyd and the Duke of York’s Theatre) which won the 2019 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy.
Film work includes The Riot Club, adapted from her play Posh (Royal Court Theatre and Duke of York’s Theatre). Laura’s playwriting career began at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, and developed at the Royal Court Theatre Young Writers Programme and Soho Theatre’s Writer Attachment scheme.
Laura’s plays have been performed in many countries including the USA, Australia, Germany, Mexico, Sweden, Slovenia and France. She is currently developing a feature film with support from the BFI Film Fund, and recently made her broadcasting debut in February 2020 as presenter of the new BBC Radio 4 narrative history series, Equal As We Are.
Director: Janine Watson | Featuring: Airlie Dodds, Charlotte Friels, Huw Higginson, Hannah Waterman | Set Designer: Michael Hankin | Costume Designer: Genevieve Graham | Lighting Designer: Morgan Moroney | Composer and Sound Designer: Jessica Dunn | Video Designer: Mark Bolotin | Dialect Coach: Linda Nicholls-Gidley | Movement Coach: Tim Dashwood | Intimacy Coordinator: Chloë Dallimore | Stage Manager: Christopher Starnawski | Assistant Stage Manager: Bernadett L?rincz | Costume Supervisor: Lily Mateljan
Colder Than Here
Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall Street, Kirribilli (North Sydney)
Season: 16 September – 12 October 2024
Information and Bookings: www.ensemble.com.au
Image: Ensemble Theatre presents Colder Than Here (supplied)