Black Swan’s final production for the year is The Seed, a semi-autobiographical work by celebrated WA writer and actor, Kate Mulvany.
It features Kate’s younger sister Tegan as Rose Maloney, an author travelling from Australia to Nottingham in the UK with her father Danny, a Vietnam veteran still dealing with the trauma of war.
They are visiting Danny’s father Brian, a former IRA soldier with long memories — a strong performance from Black Swan stalwart Geoff Kelso (The Pool, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Assassins).
Steve Turner (When The Rain Stops Falling, The Crucible) is convincing as Danny – a role which triggers memories of the war that no one wanted to celebrate.
This is the first meeting in two decades for the trio, and sparks start to fly as they reveal long-hidden secrets.
The clever script is powerful and moving, with moments of laugh-out-loud comedy.
Kate Mulvany’s many awards include a Medal of the Order of Australia and an Honorary Doctorate from Curtin University. She was inspired to write The Seed because of her father’s exposure to Agent Orange and dioxin in the Vietnam War. She believes his exposure to these toxic chemicals led to her own serious health issues: at the age of three, Kate was diagnosed with renal cancer and required treatment for many years. On a positive note, she believes her years spent battling her illness led to her career as an actor and writer.
The Seed, directed by Matt Edgerton, is playing at the Subiaco Arts Centre until November 17.
WRITER Kate Mulvany DIRECTOR Matt Edgerton CAST Geoff Kelso Tegan Mulvany Steve Turner
SET DESIGNER Zoë Atkinson COSTUME DESIGNER & SET REALISER Charlotte Meagher LIGHTING DESIGNER Lucy Birkinshaw COMPOSER & SOUND DESIGNER Ben Collins DIALECT COACH Luzita Fereday VIDEOGRAPHER Jessica Russell
AUDIO VIDEO DESIGNER Mark Haslam STAGE MANAGER Katy Malacari ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER Shannen Moulton
For more information or bookings, go to: www.blackswantheatre.com.au
Photography: Daniel James Grant
