Wellington premiere of West End youth drama

28 March 2011

Wellington premiere of West End youth drama

Stagecraft is premiering That Face, a multi-award winning drama written by a 19 year old that debuted in the UK in 2007 and went straight into a successful West End run

That Face tells the story of an English middle-class family ripped apart by the alcoholic, drug taking behaviour of the mother. Described by British reviewers as “remarkably confident and exuberantly theatrical…. crammed with startling images and pitch-black humour … insolent, audacious, witty and wise,” the show has been a particular hit with teens and is now on the education syllabus in the UK and in Australia.

Dan Connolly plays the teenage son Henry who has dropped out of art school to take care of his mother, and says that finding a part that is this well written is rare.

“This is a role where the character goes to a very dark place. It’s rare to find a piece of writing that justifies that journey but here it feels completely natural which is why I love the part so much,” says Dan.

Director Iona Anderson agrees the writing sets the play apart from many other youth dramas.

“Teenagers will relate to this play because it touches on so many of the emotions many of them feel. And because frankly they’ll realise their own parents aren’t half as bad as these ones,” says Iona.

“But the play has huge appeal for adults, particularly parents of teens too. And for those who’ve lived with an alcoholic the play will strike a very special chord.”

Iona stresses the play is not all dark and grim – the family cope with their terrible situation, as many of us do, with dark humour.

“But it is fair to say audiences may well walk out feeling like they’ve done 10 rounds. This play packs a mighty punch.”

That Face is on at the Gryphon Theatre, 22 Ghuznee Street from 6 – 16 April.

Tickets are $22 waged, $20 unwaged, or $18 for groups of 10 or more. 2 for $22 night Thursday 7 April. Please note booking/delivery fees may apply.

Bookings, ph 0508iticket (0508 484253) or book online at www.stagecraft.co.nz
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