Theatre Preview
Eleanor Pearson 15 March 2016 Reclaiming Sydney’s Night-Life a Play at a TimeA man walks into a bar. On the same night, a woman walks into the same bar. Coincidentally, the man and the woman are former lovers, with a fractured history. The pair soon take over an open mic night and turn it into a battle of wits, telling their stories to the captive audience.
A Man Walks Into A Bar has its Australian premiere this April, at the Blood Moon Theatre. The absurdist comedy, by New Zealand playwright David Geary, is the first play in the first season of fledgling independent Sydney theatre company Off The Avenue Productions. |
A Man Walks Into A Bar
Season Starting: Thursday, 21st of April (click on "Upcoming Events" for exact times.) Address: Blood Moon Theatre, World Bar 24 Bayswater Road, Kings Cross 2011 |
First-time director and company founder Andrew Beban chose the play for its “fun script”, and the small (two actors plus a musician) cast, which is also a good fit with the intimate Blood Moon Theatre space at the World Bar, Kings Cross.
“It’s tightly scripted and spontaneous!” Beban said. “There are a lot of Dad jokes… You can laugh at them, even though they are stupid… Every rehearsal makes us laugh.”
For Liberty Grove resident Beban, who is fresh from his role as musical director on Hunter Hill theatre’s Brief Encounter, there was also scope to bring in music.
“I love integrating theatre with different performing arts.” Beban said. Beban, 38, counts musicality as a personal strength. He has played the piano since the age of six, worked with choirs in Australia and overseas, and also has a dance background in jazz, tap and competitive ballroom. Off The Avenue Productions was an opportunity to “give back” to the Sydney arts community, foster young talent, and showcase the work of fellow New Zealand artists. “I wanted to be really creative, develop my directorial leadership qualities, and support young artists,” he said. |
Off The Avenue Productions had its official launch on February 2, and presented a live extract from A Man Walks Into A Bar, as well as pieces from its upcoming season.
“At the launch people responded very positively!” Beban said.
A Man Walks Into a Bar is the first of three Off The Avenue Productions shows booked in at the Blood Moon Theatre this season. So it certainly looks as though Beban’s mission to provide a “kick-start for young artists” is well and truly underway.
“We have to bump out every night… But with the lock-out laws it’s really cool that the World Bar reinvented the space, to keep the night-life going.” Beban said.
A Man Walks Into A Bar plays April 21-May 7, 2016
“At the launch people responded very positively!” Beban said.
A Man Walks Into a Bar is the first of three Off The Avenue Productions shows booked in at the Blood Moon Theatre this season. So it certainly looks as though Beban’s mission to provide a “kick-start for young artists” is well and truly underway.
“We have to bump out every night… But with the lock-out laws it’s really cool that the World Bar reinvented the space, to keep the night-life going.” Beban said.
A Man Walks Into A Bar plays April 21-May 7, 2016
Performers and Crew
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Andrew Beban
Bella and Emily Sigglekow Jo Atken |