Theatre Works and Iron Lung Theatre bring Andrew Bovell’s multi award-winning play, When the Rain Stops Falling back to the Melbourne stage this March.
Alice Springs. 2039. A fish falls from the sky. So begins this epic sprawling drama, where fish fall from the sky, a daughter inherits a secret and the rain never stops. Taking place between two worlds, When the Rain Stops Falling unfolds like a puzzle to be solved.
Stretching from the claustrophobia of a small flat in rainy London in 1959 to the windswept coast of South Australia in the ’80s and beyond, following the journey of Gabriel Law as he retraces his father’s footsteps, desperately trying to solve the mystery of his disappearance.
Starring Francis Greenslade (Shaun Micallef’s Mad as Hell, Winners and Losers, All Saints) this powerful story spans four generations over eight decades across two countries, between a prediction in London in 1959 and its outcome in Australia eighty years later.
“Andrew Bovell has an incredible way of making the everyday reach out and touch us in an extraordinary way. And this play does that…” explains Iron Lung’s Director Briony Dunn.
“It’s vast and complex and weaves a spell on a grand scale from squished London flats to rolling oceans and sweeping deserts, where Bovell uses the weather like a tenth character.”
“What theatre does so well – and this play is a gorgeous example – is it lifts the audience and takes them to that magical realm only plays like this can,”
“In many ways too this play has come into its own. It’s more relevant now than when it was first written in 2008,” says Dunn.
Founded in 2018 by NIDA graduates Esther van Doornum and Briony Dunn, Iron Lung is a Melbourne-based independent theatre company producing classic and contemporary text-based work. Their inaugural show night, Mother by Marsha Norman received both critical and audience acclaim.
Cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions When the Rain Stops Falling returns to the stage at Melbourne’s much-loved Theatre Works. This powerful production promises to be a highlight on the 2023 Victorian arts calendar.
Director: Briony Dunn | Featuring: Heather Bolton, Lucie Chaix, Esther van Doornum, Francis Greenslade, Darcy Kent, Margaret Mills, Chris Connelly | Lighting Design: Clare Springett | Sound Design: Darrin Verhagen | Set Design: Greg Clarke | Costume Design: Betty Auhl | Movement Director: Corey Derrick | Projection Designer: Justin Gardham | Props Assistant: Hahnie Goldfinch | Production Manager: Julia Landberg | Producers: Esther van Doornum, Hugh Owens, Paul Pandelis, Liz Dunn, Linda Herd, Kathryn House
When the Rain Stops Falling
Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda
Season: 4 – 18 March 2023 (previews: 2 & 3 March)
Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au
For more information, visit: www.ironlungtheatre.com for details.
Image: Francis Greenslade stars in When The Rain Stops Falling – photo by Josh Wayn