Foreign Bodies

Sly Rat Theatre Foreign BodiesA seductive and seditious study of primal urges and exoticism, Sly Rat Theatre presents the Australian premiere of Andy Harmsen’s exciting new work, Foreign Bodies at The Owl and Cat from 23 October 2015.

Set in a hotel room in Mumbai, retired American porn star, Arizona Snow, awaits the arrival of Martin, a young Australian journalist, and some-time fan. Terror reigns on the streets below as Martin and Arizona become entangled in a net of fantasy, power games, intrigue and danger, revealing the dark side – the underbelly – of the sex trade and its cloistered worshippers.

Set against the volatile, political backdrop of Mumbai, Foreign Bodies explores the relationship between two unlikely allies in this city of dreams. Sly Rat Theatre’s Co-Artistic Director, Alan Chambers features alongside Canadian trained, Queensland based actor Marika Marosszeky in this provocative tale of sex, porn, politics and lust.

“I am excited to be staging the Australian premiere of Andy Harmsen’s provocative new play, Foreign Bodies,” says Director Chris Baldock. “It is a play that intrigues and challenges from the onset, drawing the watcher into a world of voyeurism, lust and desire.”

“The sultry and hot climes of Mumbai, penetrate the work as the power and allure of sex makes way for a battle of wills that goes beyond desire and towards something much more dangerous. By turns intoxicating and thrilling, this Australian premiere will leave you breathless.”

Chris Baldock is a highly respected director and actor in the Melbourne theatre scene. He directed the acclaimed production of The Laramie Project at Chapel off Chapel which won the 2005 Victorian Green Room Award for Best Independent Production. He revived the production in 2012 to critical acclaim as the inaugural production for his own company, Mockingbird Theatre.

He also received critical praise for his productions of Love! Valour! Compassion! for Midsumma, Burning starring Logie Award-winner Libby Tanner and the Australian premiere of Shining City for Hoy Polloy. Chris has also directed Mockingbird Theatre’s critically acclaimed productions – Blue/Orange, How I Learned To Drive, Equus, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, The Temperamentals and Quills.

Andy Harmsen is a Melbourne playwright and academic, completing his undergraduate degree at Curtin University in Western Australia, and his postgraduate studies at The University of Melbourne, where he is currently researching. In 2012, he received a Grace Marion Wilson Fellowship from Writer’s Victoria, and was shortlisted for Red Stitch Theatre’s INK program for 2015 with his play, The Long Shadow. He is the co-artistic director of Sly Rat Theatre Co.

Foreign Bodies
The Owl and Cat 34 Swan St, Richmond
Season: 23 – 31 October 2015 (preview: 22 October)
Bookings: www.trybooking.com

For more information, visit: www.slyrattheatreco.com for details.

Image: courtesy of Sly Rat Theatre