A modern day slice of life play exploring the contemporary stories of our shifting urban culture, [PORTO] by Kate Benson will commence its Australian premiere season at The Blue Room Theatre from 18 October 2016.
It’s evening and four people find themselves fumbling through one of Western culture’s remaining rituals, congregating at a neighbourhood bar. Among them is Porto, on her own, ordering her usual glass of Malbec. Porto is a modern woman striving to embody those monumental values of individualism and independence, yet somehow she also finds herself longing for connection and a sense of community that seem to have disappeared.
This one-act play by American playwright Kate Benson delves into some of the deeper questions plaguing our society. How do we seek to satisfy our basic desires for sustenance and intimacy in an often alienating urban landscape? How can we squarely enjoy a meal once we know there may be crimes committed in preparing it? How do we love again after traumatising heartbreak and how do we move forward knowing the terrible potential of doing so? We all want love, sex, good food: but is it possible to enjoy sausage once it is known how it is made?
[PORTO] is an exploration of theatrical form. Grounded in comedic timing, characterisation, and continuing questions, this is the first production of the work and an Australian premiere. Kate Benson is an independent theatre artist who resides in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to [PORTO], her plays include Lee Miller, Radium Now, and A Beautiful Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of the Great Lakes.
Lisa Louttit is an accomplished actor and director having performed all around the world including New York, Los Angeles and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to name a few. This is her first work in Western Australia having just recently moved here. Benson and Louttit are long-time collaborators.
Director & Producer: Lisa Louttit Featuring: Joe Lui, Alicia Osyka, James Marzec, Taryn Ryan, Nick Pages-Oliver, Tristan McInnes Designer: Sara Chirichilli Sound Design: Joe Lui Lighting Design: Karen Cook Puppet Design: Kylie Bywaters Stage Manager: Liz Newell Playwright: Kate Benson
[PORTO]
The Blue Room Theatre, 53 James Street, Northbridge
Season: 19 October – 5 November 2016 (preview: 18 October)
Information and Bookings: www.blueroom.org.au
Image: Alicia Osyka and Joe Lui feature in [PORTO] – photo by Simon Pynt