Marlin
MEDIA RELEASE
Monday 18 August 2014 A co-production with Arena Theatre Company
Marlin by Damien Millar
Melbourne Theatre Company and Arena Theatre Company have teamed up for the first time in twenty years to premiere a captivating new work exploring the special relationship between grandparents and grandchildren, and themes of grief, redemption and victory. Played in a boat on a sea of foam, Marlin opens on Friday 26 September at Southbank Theatre, The Lawler. Directed by Arena’s Artistic Director Christian Leavesley, this thrilling production for both school and school holiday audiences stars Ashlea Pyke and Christopher Bunworth alongside several specially crafted puppets masterfully handled by Jacob Williams who was most recently seen as Principal Puppeteer in King Kong. When a fisherman and his granddaughter attempt to return a marlin to the sea, their journey becomes a life and death adventure that neither of them had anticipated. Drifting far out to sea and into the night, the pair wrestle with forces beyond their control in their effort to save this enormous fish. Set in the game fishing regions off Northern Queensland, Marlin is inspired by classic traditions of seafaring literature. Director Christian Leavesley said ‘I wanted to conceive a work in which young people and their elders can share time in the theatre that is energised by them experiencing it side by side. It is intended that both generations will be excited by what they presume is intended for the other. Marlin provides young imaginations with the possibility of adventure, and older imaginations with an opportunity to reflect on their own lives.’ Arena Theatre Company has been making internationally acclaimed theatre for young people for almost 50 years. It is a leader in contemporary theatre practice and one of Australia’s longestrunning producers of theatre for young people. Melbourne Theatre Company has renewed its commitment to theatre for young people and families, presenting its first family show in over a decade in 2013, The Book of Everything, and following it up this year with Big Bad Wolf and now Marlin. Damien Millar is an award-winning playwright, director and dramaturg. A NIDA graduate, his plays include Emergency Sex, The Modern International Dead and Yet to Ascertain the Nature of the Crime which was co-written with Roanna Gonsalves and Raimondo Cortese. His accolades include a Guild Equity Award, an AWGIE Award for Yet to Ascertain the Nature of the Crime, a Griffin Award for Emergency Sex, and for The Modern International Dead, a Sydney Theatre Award for Best New Australian Work and the WA Premier’s Book Award. He has had his work published by Currency Press, Meanjin, Outrage, Westerly and Random House. Christian Leavesley is the Artistic Director of Arena Theatre Company. He is a writer and director who is known for devising and adapting classics, and for directing premieres of new Australian MEDIA CONTACTS For Marlin and MTC Rosie Shepherdson-Cullen Publicist 03 8688 0945 [email protected] Rebecca Jones PR Assistant 03 8688 0948 [email protected]
For Arena Theatre Company Fiona Macleod Publicist 0415 174 604 [email protected]
writing. He co-founded multi-award winning company Uncle Semolina(& friends), whose critically acclaimed works including Gilgamesh, Ticky Tacky and OT have been programmed around Australia and internationally. His work has been seen in Europe, North America, and Asia, including venues such as London Barbican Centre, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre, Chao Yung Centre, Beijing and Studio Eve Tokyo. Prior to his current position with Arena, he was Artistic Associate from 2008-2012. Most recently for Arena, Leavesley directed the world premiere of AWGIE winning play Starchaser by Lally Katz. He currently serves on the board of St Martins Youth Arts Centre. Cast Ashlea Pyke (Billy), Christopher Bunworth (Thomas Grogan), Jacob Williams (Puppeteer) Director Christian Leavesley; Writer Damien Millar; Assistant Director Jolyon James; Designer Marg Horwell; Lighting Designer Rachel Burke; Sound Designer Jethro Woodward; Composer Wang-Zheng Ting; Arena Theatre Company Executive Producer Lee Casey; MTC Education Manager Suzie Thomas
Marlin Venue: Southbank Theatre, The Lawler Season Dates: 25 September to 11 October 2014 Opening Night: Friday 26 September 2014 at 7pm Single Tickets: from $22 Bookings: Southbank Theatre Box Office 03 8688 0800 or mtc.com.au/marlin Suitable for ages 8+
Ashlea Pyke
Christopher Bunworth
Jacob Williams
Extending the Marlin experience, Arts Centre Melbourne are hosting The Marlin Expedition where you’ll be able to join the fisherman’s crew and venture out onto the Yarra River on a mission to save a marlin’s life. For more information about this immersive adventure visit artscentremelbourne.com.au
Monday 18 August 2014 A co-production with Arena Theatre Company
Marlin by Damien Millar
Melbourne Theatre Company and Arena Theatre Company have teamed up for the first time in twenty years to premiere a captivating new work exploring the special relationship between grandparents and grandchildren, and themes of grief, redemption and victory. Played in a boat on a sea of foam, Marlin opens on Friday 26 September at Southbank Theatre, The Lawler. Directed by Arena’s Artistic Director Christian Leavesley, this thrilling production for both school and school holiday audiences stars Ashlea Pyke and Christopher Bunworth alongside several specially crafted puppets masterfully handled by Jacob Williams who was most recently seen as Principal Puppeteer in King Kong. When a fisherman and his granddaughter attempt to return a marlin to the sea, their journey becomes a life and death adventure that neither of them had anticipated. Drifting far out to sea and into the night, the pair wrestle with forces beyond their control in their effort to save this enormous fish. Set in the game fishing regions off Northern Queensland, Marlin is inspired by classic traditions of seafaring literature. Director Christian Leavesley said ‘I wanted to conceive a work in which young people and their elders can share time in the theatre that is energised by them experiencing it side by side. It is intended that both generations will be excited by what they presume is intended for the other. Marlin provides young imaginations with the possibility of adventure, and older imaginations with an opportunity to reflect on their own lives.’ Arena Theatre Company has been making internationally acclaimed theatre for young people for almost 50 years. It is a leader in contemporary theatre practice and one of Australia’s longestrunning producers of theatre for young people. Melbourne Theatre Company has renewed its commitment to theatre for young people and families, presenting its first family show in over a decade in 2013, The Book of Everything, and following it up this year with Big Bad Wolf and now Marlin. Damien Millar is an award-winning playwright, director and dramaturg. A NIDA graduate, his plays include Emergency Sex, The Modern International Dead and Yet to Ascertain the Nature of the Crime which was co-written with Roanna Gonsalves and Raimondo Cortese. His accolades include a Guild Equity Award, an AWGIE Award for Yet to Ascertain the Nature of the Crime, a Griffin Award for Emergency Sex, and for The Modern International Dead, a Sydney Theatre Award for Best New Australian Work and the WA Premier’s Book Award. He has had his work published by Currency Press, Meanjin, Outrage, Westerly and Random House. Christian Leavesley is the Artistic Director of Arena Theatre Company. He is a writer and director who is known for devising and adapting classics, and for directing premieres of new Australian MEDIA CONTACTS For Marlin and MTC Rosie Shepherdson-Cullen Publicist 03 8688 0945 [email protected] Rebecca Jones PR Assistant 03 8688 0948 [email protected]
For Arena Theatre Company Fiona Macleod Publicist 0415 174 604 [email protected]
writing. He co-founded multi-award winning company Uncle Semolina(& friends), whose critically acclaimed works including Gilgamesh, Ticky Tacky and OT have been programmed around Australia and internationally. His work has been seen in Europe, North America, and Asia, including venues such as London Barbican Centre, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre, Chao Yung Centre, Beijing and Studio Eve Tokyo. Prior to his current position with Arena, he was Artistic Associate from 2008-2012. Most recently for Arena, Leavesley directed the world premiere of AWGIE winning play Starchaser by Lally Katz. He currently serves on the board of St Martins Youth Arts Centre. Cast Ashlea Pyke (Billy), Christopher Bunworth (Thomas Grogan), Jacob Williams (Puppeteer) Director Christian Leavesley; Writer Damien Millar; Assistant Director Jolyon James; Designer Marg Horwell; Lighting Designer Rachel Burke; Sound Designer Jethro Woodward; Composer Wang-Zheng Ting; Arena Theatre Company Executive Producer Lee Casey; MTC Education Manager Suzie Thomas
Marlin Venue: Southbank Theatre, The Lawler Season Dates: 25 September to 11 October 2014 Opening Night: Friday 26 September 2014 at 7pm Single Tickets: from $22 Bookings: Southbank Theatre Box Office 03 8688 0800 or mtc.com.au/marlin Suitable for ages 8+
Ashlea Pyke
Christopher Bunworth
Jacob Williams
Extending the Marlin experience, Arts Centre Melbourne are hosting The Marlin Expedition where you’ll be able to join the fisherman’s crew and venture out onto the Yarra River on a mission to save a marlin’s life. For more information about this immersive adventure visit artscentremelbourne.com.au
