La Mama and Monstrous Theatre have announced they will present the world premiere of Paul Mitchell’s hard-hitting exploration of family violence, You’re the Man at the La Mama Courthouse this September.
Mitchell’s new play is a story about the terrible damage caused by family violence and the journey to restoration of hope.
Seventeen-year-old Liam spends days locked in his room attempting to process the violent death of his brother, at the hands of his father. What could lead Liam to re-join the world beyond his bedroom door?
Directed by Theresa Borg, You’re the Man features a stellar cast including Emma Choy, Justin Bell, Miles Paras, Philip Hayden, Ryland Mitchell and Paul Mitchell. The play features a design by Filipe Filihia, with music by Simon Mason.
You’re the Man evolved from Paul Mitchell’s one-man-play, Ragdoll, of which Helen Garner commented, “The work is a challenging psychological and emotional exploration… I was on the edge of my seat.”
You’re the Man is ultimately a story of hope. It challenges justifications men make for their behaviour, seeks paths of healing for victim-survivors, and shows the tenderness and strength possible in renewed masculinity.
Paul Mitchell is an award-winning author and playwright. He has published seven books, including the acclaimed We. Are. Family, which deals with family violence and the flaws of conventional masculinity. His latest book is the poetry collection, High Spirits (Puncher & Wattmann, 2023), and a previous poetry collection, Standard Variation, was short-listed for the 2016 Adelaide Writers’ Week John Bray Poetry Award.
Mitchell has written several works for stage and screen, including co-writing a documentary on the Brisbane Lions for the AFL. His poetry, essays, and stories have been published in newspapers, magazines and journals including The Age, Best Australian Stories and Poems, Meanjin, Griffith Review, Overland, ABC Religion and Ethics, and The Big Issue.
You’re the Man
La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond Street, Carlton
Season: 4 – 15 September 2024
Bookings: www.lamama.com.au
For more information, visit: www.monstroustheatre.com.au for details.
Image: Ryland Mitchell – photo by Darren Gill