Men, Love and the Monkeyboy April 22, 2008

Shaman Productions in association with Riverside Productions present
Men, Love and the Monkeyboy
From Tuesday 22 April for five shows only

Shaman Productions in association with Riverside Productions present the new Australian play Men, Love and the Monkeyboy at Riverside Theatres from Tuesday 22 April for five shows only, immediately following the Darlinghurst Theatre season (March 27 – April 19). Written by Caleb Lewis and directed by Christopher Hurrell, this witty satire is about fathers, sons and male bonding.

How do men see women? How do men see men? What exactly is the difference between men….boys…and monkeys? Phillip is 29, still living at home, and studying primate behaviour. He’s also about to give the biggest presentation of his career concerning man’s second closest cousin – the gorilla. But Phillip need only look at his family and friends to see that in their case the relationship to gorillas may be closer than they think!

This new play by this promising new Australian author takes a wickedly funny look at tangled relationships and modern living-our relationship to gorillas may be closer than we think. Men, Love and the Monkeyboy is also about men, women and sex. This hilarious depiction of human relationships is told by an ensemble of talented Australian actors: Bryce Youngman, John McNeill, Julia Davis, Andy Rodoreda, Laurence Breuls and Angela Hattersley.

“It is my aim with this play to present an honest, warts and all view of men in varying situations of love and conflict, parading strengths and particularly their vulnerabilities”, said writer Caleb Lewis. “The battle of the sexes is should not be a battle at all but a conversation; however this opportunity has been hogtied too long by men’s inability to speak openly about their feelings for fear of judgement or loss of esteem. I hope this play starts a conversation”.

“Caleb Lewis has created the rarest of plays – a sharp and hilarious satire that is also rich with human insight and compassion,” said Christopher Hurrell. “The adorable damaged souls who populate this play compel us to laugh not at them but in sympathy with them. After only a week of rehearsals these characters have burst into life in the hands of an ideal cast: Bryce, John, Laurence, Andy, Julia and Angela seem to fit their characters like a glove, but in ways that are quirky, constantly surprising, touching and above all FUNNY!”

Bryce Youngman has previously been seen The Proposal for Newtown Theatre, Actors at Work 2003 for the Bell Shakespeare and most recently Thrall for the Old Fitzroy. Television appearances include All Saints, Blue Heelers he has also appeared in Khoa Do’s classic Australian film Footy Legends.

John McNeill is an experienced Shakespearian actor who has appeared in The Tempest, King Lear and Merchant of Venice. John has also made an appearance on Australian television dramas such as All Saints and White Collar Blue. His film work includes Neil Armfield’s Candy and Dirty Deeds.

Julia Davis stage credits include Wilde Tales for the Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Party Political for Newtown Theatre and Bell Shakespeare’s Wars of Roses, The Taming of the Shrew and Much Ado About Nothing. Her television work includes renowned series such as Home and Away, The Chaser Decides and Love My Way.

Andy Rodoreda has previously been seen in Macbeth for the Sydney Theatre Company, Lieutenant of Inishmore for Company B and most recently in The Cherry Orchard for the Sydney Theatre Company. Film work includes Black Water Productions and Andrew Traucki’s Black Water.

Laurence Breuls, who is playing Rex, made his film debut in the lead role of the gritty Australian feature film Blackrock in 1996. Since then he has appeared in Paul Goldman’s critically acclaimed film Suburban Mayhem and the role of Bassanio in The Merchant of Venice for the Bondi Theatre Company.

Angela Hattersley has previously been seen in Bryce Youngman’s Poetry in Action, Dave Letch’s Renaissance, Steve Rassios’ Love & Money and Luke Cowling’s The Last Great Roadhouse in Paradise.

Caleb Lewis began a two-year residency with Griffin Theatre Company culminating in the world premiere of Nailed (short listed for the Phillip Parsons Playwright's Award). Caleb has completed commissions for Jigsaw Theatre Company (ACT) and Riverland Youth Theatre Company (SA). His short film The Half Windsor opened in Sydney last May. Caleb’s play The Sea Bride won the Theatrelab Emerging Playwright Award earning a two-week workshop with playwright Edward Albee. Men, Love and the Monkeyboy was short listed for the 2007 Griffin Award and is the winner of the 2008 Mitch Matthews award.

Christopher Hurrell is the Literary Manager of Sydney’s Griffin Theatre Company, where he has
collaborated on the development of all of Caleb Lewis’s major plays and also directed the world premiere production of Mr Bailey’s Minder by Debra Oswald. In 2007, Christopher directed Actors at Work for the Bell Shakespeare Company, creating national touring education productions based on Hamlet and King Lear. For his own company, Tangent Productions, Christopher directed the 2003 Sydney premiere of Myth, Propaganda and Disaster in Nazi Germany and Contemporary America by Stephen Sewell (as well as its successful 2005 revival), Edward II at the Adelaide Fringe and The Nightmare at the Darlinghurst Theatre.

Caleb Lewis is a young Australian writer and this premiere I'm convinced marks the appearance of a significant new talent - The Sun Herald

Director Christopher Hurrell Producer Sam Hawker

Darlinghurst Theatre season March 27 – April 19. Riverside Season April 22-26

MEN, LOVE AND THE MONKEYBOY
VENUE: Riverside Theatres, Cnr Market and Church St’s Parramatta
DATES: Tuesday 22 - Saturday 26 April
TIMES: Tues, Wed, Sat at 8.15pm; Thu 6.30pm and Sat matinee at 2.15pm
(no performance Anzac Day Fri April 25)
SINGLE TICKET PRICE: Adults $30, Conc $25, Under 30 is $20, Under 16 $15
RIVERSIDESAVER: Adults $25, Conc $20, Under 30 is $17, Under 16 $12
BOOKINGS: Riverside Box Office 02 8839 3399 or www.riversideparramatta.com.au

Official Website: http://riversideparramatta.com.au