Winner of the 2020 Silver Gull Play Award, New Theatre presents the world premiere production of Gods and Little Fishes by Richard Sydenham and Jamie Oxenbould from 1 June 2022.
In June 1960, travelling salesman Bazil Thorne won 100,000 pounds in the Opera House Lottery.
Five weeks later jubilation turned to tragedy when Bazil’s eight-year-old son Graeme was kidnapped and held to ransom. On 16 August, 1960, Graeme’s body was found in bushland at Seaforth.
This magical new Australian play is not a retelling of this story. Instead, it is a theatrical exploration of a father’s journey through grief to acceptance and a child’s imagination.
A travelling salesman finds himself lost at sea on a raft with no memory as to how he got there. His companions are a man dressed as a bear, a small clown and a strongman. The ‘actors’ help him to survive and guide him home to his family to face a terrible truth.
Infused with delightful humour, quirky characters and theatrical in-jokes, it leads to a shattering climax that will leave you breathless. Gods and Little Fishes is a moving and powerful play that reaches far beyond the shores of Australia. It is a story for all humanity.
Director: Richard Sydenham | Featuring: Katie Fitchett, Sarah-Jane Kelly, Andy McDonell, Arky Michael, Texas Nixon-Kain, Jamie Oxenbould, Eloise Snape | Set Designer: Hannah Tayler | Lighting Designer: Grant Fraser | Costume Designer: Katie Fitchett with Elena McNiece | Sound Designer: Lloyd Allison-Young
Gods and Little Fishes
New Theatre, 542 King Street, Newtown
Season: 1 – 25 June 2022 (preview: 31 May)
Information and Bookings: www.newtheatre.org.au
Image: A man standing in a boat on the water – © Ollyy/Shutterstock