PLEASE BE ADVISED: This show contains a strong language warning and themes of sexual violence. Viewer discretion advised.
Alchemy Artistic are offering two 20 minute Gender Specific Q&A’s and three open Q&A’s for this short run- part of their commitment to carving out space to ruminate and discuss the themes of gendered violence in the work.
Wednesday (opening performance) offers a post show Q&A for all audience members. Thursday’s post show Q&A is offered to Female identifying audience members. Friday’s Q&A offering is for audience members who identify as Male. Our non binary, gender queer and queer audience members are invited to participate wherever they feel safe and comfortable. Saturday matinee/evening are another open offering. All five Q&A’s are accompanied by the exciting addition, of a live Graphic Scribe- Arran McKenna from Happydance Creative!
We ask members of our audiences on Thursday the 14th and Friday 15th respectfully, to check these details. Please attend whichever show you wish. This is simply to state that the post show Q&A’s are deliberately split into the aforementioned groups, based on gender identity. Alchemy Artistic are committed to offering safe, separate spaces for these Q&A’s, as audiences will have an opportunity to ruminate on gendered violence and damaging gender narratives.
There is a lockout for this show. No late comers will be admitted until post interval.
Wednesday 13th April, 7:30PM: ACT Hub, Causeway Hall – Kingston, A.C.T
20 minute post show Q&A available to all audience members, irrespective of gender. Special Guest: Sue Webeck, CEO Domestic Violence Crisis Service A.C.T
Thursday 14th April, 7:30PM: ACT Hub, Causeway Hall – Kingston, A.C.T
20 minute post show Q&A available to FEMALE IDENTIFYING/NON BINARY AUDIENCE MEMBERS. Special Guest: Dr Rebecca Clode – PhD (ANU), MA (King’s College London and Royal Academy of Dramatic Art)
Friday 15th April, 7:30PM: ACT Hub, Causeway Hall – Kingston, A.C.T
20 minute post show Q&A available to MALE IDENTIFYING/NON BINARY AUDIENCE MEMBERS.
Saturday 16th April, 2:00PM: ACT Hub, Causeway Hall – Kingston, A.C.T
20 minute post show Q&A available to all audience members, irrespective of gender
Saturday 16th April, 7:30PM: ACT Hub, Causeway Hall – Kingston, A.C.T
20 minute post show Q&A available to all audience members, irrespective of gender. Special Guests: The Boys Playwright and Screenwriter; Gordon Graham and Screenwriter Stephen Sewell
Cast and Creatives
Sandra Sprague: Liz St Clair Long
Brett Sprague: Alex Hoskison
Glenn Sprague: Cole Hilder
Stevie Sprague: Blue Hyslop
Michelle: Meaghan Stewart
Jackie: Indy Scarletti
Nola: Caitlin Baker
Understudy: Alice Ferguson
Director/Designer: Amy Kowalczuk
Stage Manager: Carmen King
Production Manager: Alice Ferguson
Producers: Alchemy Artistic (Amy Kowalczuk), Shadow House PITS (Joe Woodward) and Sophie Benassi
Movement Director: Michelle Norris
Photographer: Mark Actually (Mark Kowalczuk)
Set/Technical Advisor: Stephen Crossley Sound Design: Neville Pye
Graphic Scribe: Arran McKenna Lighting Design: Murray Wenham
Synopsis: Brett Sprague has returned to his family, after a stint in prison and he’s ready to make up for lost time. Aided by brother Glenn, he returns to his Mum (Sandra’s) house in the Western Suburbs of Sydney for a welcome home barbeque. Brett wants to regain his control of a family dynamic that has changed dramatically in his absence. He suspects girlfriend Michelle of infidelity, Glenn has moved out with Jackie and youngest brother Stevie has impregnated the young Nola. A series of events escalate until Brett’s disruptive force takes hold of the family unit. Tensions flare, fueled by toxicity, alcohol and rage. The boys embark on a pack rampage with terrifying consequences. The Sprague “women” (Michelle, Nola and Jackie along with Sandra) are bonded by pseudo familial ties and the threat of violence. None of this happens sequentially, in a linear order. This work explores the domino effect of violence in a gripping and unusual narrative. This is a purposefully situated offering in 2022 with gendered, sexual violence at an all time high. Alchemy Artistic are determined to examine this work alongside Canberra audiences for the first time.
Gordon Graham wrote The Boys in 1989 and it was originally workshopped and performed by Griffin Theatre, featuring David Wenham. It subsequently became a 1998 film which won 8 AUGIE awards, starring Toni Collete and was reprised by Griffin in 2012. Written as an exploration of the effects of gendered violence as it pertains to women, it centres on four female characters. In 2022, gendered violence is (sadly still) all too relevant a topic. The Boys offers us an imperative access point, to evoke interesting and nuanced exploration and discussion. The post production forums create opportunities for gendered narratives to be sensitively discussed and unpacked for consideration. Through this we aim to give women a voice and men a chance. Don’t miss out on this fast, furious offering with ACT Hub’s ‘Hub Too’ 2022 season.