Exposing the implicit racial bias that pervades Australian culture, through the eyes of a naïve and ignorant younger generation, Lambert House Enterprises presents Chris Isaacs’ critically acclaimed Flood at Sydney’s Old 505 Theatre throughout November.
Six non-indigenous ‘twenty-somethings’ head off on a camping trip into outback Australia on an end-of-year rite of passage to reconnect as old friends. However, their journey into the unknown takes a violent turn after they set up camp near an isolated creek.
Treating it as a swimming hole, they encounter an enraged member of the local indigenous community and the encounter escalates with disturbing and tragic consequences. The series of events that follow will forever change their understanding of the land, Aboriginal culture and its place within the society in which they live.
Playwright Chris Isaacs says Flood is a play that looks at implicit racial bias, the tribes we choose to align ourselves with… and the outcomes of those alignments. “It’s not black and white… in every sense.”
Director Charles Sanders adds that the characters in the play are not the kinds of kids that are spouting hate speech. “They’re simply not aware of the complexities of living in a multicultural society that has an oppressed indigenous population.”
Chris Isaacs is a performer, writer, director, deviser, composer and lighting designer. He is a proud founding member of the independent company, The Last Great Hunt, and a member of the creative team behind the multi-award-winning, The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer. His varied credits include: Old Love, Fag/Stag, All That Glitters, Falling Through Clouds, and It’s Dark Outside. Flood premiered at Perth’s Black Swan State Theatre Company in 2014 to critical acclaim.
Charles Sanders graduated from NIDA’s esteemed Masters of Directing in 2015. He has also trained in Viewpoints, Suzuki and Composition with Tina Mitchell, Zen Zen Zo and SITI Company. Charles has worked in New York, as well as with the State Theatre Company of South Australia and has his own theatre company, House of Sand.
Flood is produced by Lambert House Enterprises. Recent acclaimed productions include: The Credeaux Canvas (Seymour Centre 2015), The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me (Gingers, Darlinghurst and The Butterfly Club, Melbourne 2014) and Relative Merits (King Street Theatre 2013).
Director: Charles Sanders Featuring: Chandel Brandimarti, Caitlin Burley, Olivia Jubb, Aaron Lucas, David Thomas, Jackson Williams, James Wright Set and Costume Design: Stephanie Howe Lighting Design: Lachlan Hogan Original Music: Johnny Lacey
Flood
Old 505 Theatre, 5 Eliza Street, Newtown
Season continues to 19 November 2016
Information and Bookings: www.old505theatre.com
Image: Cast of Flood (supplied)