The Events

The Events Catherine McClementsWritten in response to the murders in Norway committed in 2011 by Anders Breivik, award-winning Scottish playwright David Greig’s extraordinary, The Events follows a community’s search for compassion, peace and understanding in the wake of unthinkable violence.

Claire is a minister and the director of a choir that meets regularly in a local hall. It’s made up of all sorts: the lonely, outsiders, strangers – and the privileged, the comfortable. In short, she has built a community. But when a disaffected young man enters the hall and opens fire with a semi-automatic, this community – and the ideals that formed it – are blown apart.

After the event, a dialogue unfolds between Claire and a young man. She is unpacking the Pandora’s box of herself – her rage, her fears, and ultimately some hope. The young man is something else: the voice of the alienated, an enemy within, a lost generation. He plays many roles, but in an era of Port Arthur and Martin Place they all ask the same big question: How do we live together knowing it can all come apart in a moment?

The hit of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, The Events garnered five-star reviews, along with a Fringe First and the Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award before transferring for sell-out seasons around Europe and America, and is sure to be a stand-out during its Australian performances.

This new Australian production, co-produced by State Theatre Company of South Australia, Belvoir and Malthouse Theatre, will be helmed by the inventive director Clare Watson (What Rhymes With Cars and Girls) and features renowned star of stage and screen Catherine McClements (Rush, Water Rats), and Johnny Carr (What Rhymes With Cars and Girls).

Delving into faith, politics, and reason, this brilliantly inventive piece showcases a different local community choir at each performance. Featuring soaring choral music, The Events tells of tragedy, obsession and our destructive desire to fathom the unfathomable.

“a mighty play about not just one lost soul, but many… about the things that bind us together as a community, the things that drive us apart, and what it is that makes us human.” – The Guardian

Director: Clare Watson Cast: Johnny Carr, Catherine McClements Set & Lighting Designer: Geoff Cobham Musical Director: Carol Young (Adelaide), Luke Byrne (Sydney & Melbourne) Composer: John Browne Fight Choreographer: Scott Witt

The Events
Her Majesty’s Theatre, 58 Grote Street, Adelaide
Season: 27 February – 5 March 2016 (previews: 25 & 26 February)
Information & Bookings: www.statetheatrecompany.com.au

Belvoir Theatre, 25 Belvoir Street, Surry Hills
Season: 14 May – 12 June 2016 (previews: 12 & 13 May)
Information & Bookings: www.belvoir.com.au

Malthouse Theatre, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank
Season: 22 June – 10 July 2016 (preview: 21 June)
Information & Bookings: www.malthousetheatre.com.au

Image: Catherine McClements – courtesy of State Theatre Company of SA