What is a monologue, you may ask?
A monologue is a (usually long) dramatic speech by a single actor but be prepared to digest much more than this mere morsel of an explanation.
EAT My Monologue is the brainchild of Bamboo Manager and theatre visionary Claire French, who promises a seasonal feast of contemporary Australian works that range from the dramatic to black comedy.
French along with fellow visionary and locally-acclaimed director Marisa Gareffa are cultivating a new wave of interest in theatre through these bite-sized performances.
‘It’s about grass roots theatre and wanting to get into the back of people’s throats so they can enjoy theatre, food and drinks and feel completely replenished by it and can see what amazing local talent we have and what does happen in Perth,’ French said.
‘I’m loving it,’ Gareffa said.
‘As a director to read and work on some of the most amazing new work to ever come out of Australia without having to stage a full play – I love that!
‘It gives the audience the chance to taste 12 new works and get a feel for what they like so that when they see those names come up they’ll say, ‘I’ve seen a monologue from those plays’, and start to see theatre as something more familiar.’
In its second season at Bamboo’s amphitheatre, the new line-up is bursting with more robust scripts recognised the world over.
Opening with Andrew Bovell’s monologue from the multi-award-winning When the Rain Stops Falling, followed by The Modern International Dead by Damien Millar, The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead by Robert Hewett, The Burnt Piano by Justin Fleming, Frequent Flyer by Anna Barnes and an original piece devised by Gareffa about an actor preparing for a monologue, in all the show runs for about two hours.
Each performance will have subtle differences since they are channelled through varying actors, who include Warren Herbu, Helen Angell, Nick Maclaine and Nicole Shostak while Black Swan State Theatre Company Associate Director Adam Mitchell will direct the next wave of actors, Analisa Bell and Katya Shevtsov.
Book-ended by original melodies written specifically for the show by Brett Murray, with lyrics singer/songwriter Zoe Leishman, the music lifts the monologues into a fantastical world of lilting lullabies and blues undertones.
EAT My Monologue begins this 6.30pm Friday (November 6) at Bamboo and will run again on December 4 and January 8.
As part of the ticket, audiences can have a three course meal served in a picnic box which includes Chermoula – Crusted Salmon, Saffron & roasted Capsicum Cous Cous Salad.
EAT My Monologue buffet package tickets are $75 or just pay $25 for a theatre seat or $10 to get in the door.
Tickets are available online at bamboobamboobamboo.com or by phoning 9228 1217.
Aja Styles
