A heart-stopping thrill-ride that will make audiences question their own relationships and parenthood, Brisbane’s La Boite Theatre will premiere Mark Rogers’ psychological drama, Naked & Screaming – opening the company’s long-awaited 2021 season from 6 February 2021.
Naked & Screaming follows new parents Emily and Simon in the first year of their son’s life. When Simon flies to LA for three weeks, a sleep-deprived Emily is left alone to care for baby Dylan, triggering a chain reaction that drives Simon to make a dangerous decision – altering their lives forever.
Written by award-winning playwright Mark Rogers (2019 Griffin Award, 2019 Patrick White Playwrights Award), Naked & Screaming stars notable Brisbane performers, Emily Burton and Jackson McGovern.
Sanja Simic, Director of Naked & Screaming and La Boite’s Creative Producer, said it’s a joy to return to the Roundhouse Theatre after twelve months with no mainstage shows. “It’s such a pleasure to bring Naked & Screaming to the La Boite stage,” said Ms Simic. “This is a work that aligns beautifully with the company – it’s contemporary, urgent, and incisive new Australian writing.”
“This play, and Mark’s writing, offers such a unique insight into the experience of having a child in your early 30’s, without any real sense of what you’re signing up for. The work offers a rich tapestry of experience and a wealth of material for two exceptional Brisbane actors, Emily Burton and Jackson McGovern, to dig into.”
Playwright Mark Rogers said he drew inspiration for Naked & Screaming from his own relationship, following the birth of his first child in 2018. “During the first year of parenthood, my partner and I had some of the most frank and difficult conversations of our lives,” he said.
“With astonishing generosity, my partner outlined the imbalances that were defining our new roles as parents. I wanted to attack that imbalance and write something that staged the early period of new parenthood with clear eyes, hence Naked & Screaming.”
“I’m delighted Naked & Screaming will be staged at the Roundhouse Theatre; one of the best spaces in Australia for new stories! La Boite has a history of producing essential works that confront challenging aspects of life, and I can’t wait to see how it sings in the space,” said Mr Rogers.
Director: Sanja Simic Cast: Emily Burton, Jackson McGovern Set & Costume Designer: Chloe Greaves Lighting Designer: Ben Hughes Composer & Sound Designer: Guy Webster
Naked & Screaming
Roundhouse Theatre, 6 – 8 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove (Brisbane)
Season: 10 – 27 February 2021 (previews: 6 – 9 February)
Information and Bookings: www.laboite.com.au
Image: Emily Burton and Jackson McGovern star in Naked & Screaming – photo by Dylan Evans