Wrecking September 13, 2012

A chilling story based on true events in Sydney’s Woolloomooloo…

Featuring Amanda McGregor, Paul Blenheim and Kimberley Hews

Alana is a property developer. Miles is a dentist. They've got three bedrooms on two levels, sea views, and not a whole lot to say to each other anymore. The cracks in their relationship have only just started forming, and now there's Alana's rotting tooth to deal with. Under the bridge are Ned and Lexie, two homeless teens who are sick of being passed around. Now they're out on their own, with their own ocean views, bruised fists and swollen lips.

Dan Giovannoni’s Wrecking premieres at The Old Fitzroy Theatre from Thursday, 13 September to Saturday, 6 October.

Directed by Gin Savage, Wrecking is inspired by a brutal homeless bashing that occurred in Woolloomooloo in 2003. Using this horrific incident as its starting point, Wrecking puts under the microscope the moment in time where love and brutality collide – when people not only break rules, but feel justified in doing so.

Alana, Miles, Lexie and Ned call Woolloomooloo home - but then Ned discovers a shipwreck, Lexie hurts her back, Miles loses the plot and Alana's new development is given the green light. Their side-by-side lives suddenly collide, and they realise that, in this strange little world by the sea, there isn't room for everyone. Playwright Dan Giovannoni examines what it is that makes Woolloomooloo tick, and tenderly reveals a place both beautiful and damaged.

“Wrecking is sensitive and topical investigation of the division of wealth in our city. It exposes the rudimentary tenant that despite the costume we wear, some elements of the human condition such as love and brutality are universal. In the intimate venue at the Old Fitzroy we have the opportunity to breathe the stories of our city,” said Director Gin Savage.

Graduating from NIDA’s directing course in 2010, director Gin Savage’s credits include Mark Ravenhill’spool (no water), Ross Vegas and the Wondermachine, Kids at Risk music video for Sugar, Assistant Director to Gale Edwards on Snow on Mars by Richard Tulloch for Theatre of Image and most recently, director and dramaturge for Jessica’s Bellamy’s Sprout for Tamarama Rock Surfers- Old Fitzroy Hotel.

“Inspired by the true events of 2003 I unearthed powerful stories that blend what can be described as the union of the raw, beautiful and bizarre. There is something recognizable in all of the stories and it made poignant to me the great equalizers of the human condition, elements we all recognize. In the stories of Wrecking these elements are love, brutality, disappointment and desire. I have loved exploring these themes in the characters of Alana, Miles, Lexie and Ned,” said Playwright Dan Giovannoni.

Playing the role of Lexie is NIDA graduate Amanda McGregor. Since graduating she has performed for the Sydney Theatre Company’s Rough Draft #13: Underland and Griffin Theatre Company Festival of New Writing. Paul Blenheim plays the role of Ned and his recent theatre includes Eight, Two by Two ,Rhapsody, 22 Short Plays, andWomb Division. In the role of Alana is Kimberley Hews. Hews is also a NIDA graduate, where she played lead roles including Anna – Closer; Yelyena - Uncle Vanya ; Lady Bracknell, Importance of Being Earnest; Maureen - Face to Face. Her television credits include appearance son Sparks, Home and Away and All Saints.

Sydney based playwright, Dan Giovannoniis a fresh voice in Australian writing. He has a Bachelor of Creative Arts from Melbourne University and a Graduate Diploma of Dramatic Art (Playwriting) from NIDA. His plays include Cut Snake for which he was awarded Best Emerging Writer – Melbourne Fringe and shortlisted for the Rodney Seaborn Playwright’s Award, Arena Theatre Inside 130 Residency;Two by Two for which he was awarded the Malcolm Robertson Prize 2011;Edmund & Grace; Kanat and the Red Army , which received Best Drama Writing – Short and Sweet;Brightside; and Playground (Little Ones Theatre). He attended World Interplay in 2007 and 2009, was Artist In Residence at Leonora District School in 2011, and in 2012 is the writer-in-residence at Red Stitch. He is currently developing a new work for Next Wave (Shotgun Wedding).

DATES: Thursday, 13 September – Saturday, 6 October

TIMES: Tues – Sat at 8pm, Sun at 5pm

TICKETS: Conc $25; Adult $33;
Cheap Tuesdays &previews all $21;
BMS (Beer Meal Show) $34 (Cheap Tuesday) $41 (all other performances)

BOOKINGS: Tamarama Rock Surfers www.rocksurfers.org or 1300 241 167