Press Release – August/Sept 2014
An Unseasonable Fall of Snow
by Gary Henderson
Starring Jed & Riley Brophy
Directed by Geraldine Brophy
Circa Two from 24 Sept to 4 Oct 2014
Running time: 75 minutes
Recommended Age 14 - 15+ - Not suitable for primary school aged children. Themes and offensive language may disturb some
people
Emotional thriller An Unseasonable Fall of Snow was commissioned from multi-award winning playwright Gary Henderson by the NZ Arts Festival in 1998. The themes
interwoven throughout the play are as relevant now as then
as issues faced by those marginalised in modern society are prevalent in the media, along with IT whizz kids & whistle-blowers bringing down the creditability of corporates & political regimes and the global economy in decline.
For 75 minutes the two actors (Jed & Riley Brophy) remain on stage as the tale unfolds and the audience join characters Arthur and Liam on a journey of
discovery and revelation. Described previously as a whodunit because of the thriller nature, the story explores what has
occurred rather than eliminating suspects who may have perpetrated the deed. It is immediately obvious that Liam has
committed an act that is either immoral or criminal and Arthur’s job is to extract the truth. The lack of connection we
have to action and consequence, let alone an acceptance of responsibility of our actions, is deftly explored with fast
paced dialogue severed by poignant silences.
Ross Joblin’s set and Lisa Maule’s lighting design enhance the disconnection of time and place that Geraldine Brophy’s
understated yet insightful direction brings to this production.
For an emerging actor, 21-year-old Riley has an impressive array of screen credits, including a Best Actor award for his
lead role in Brian Challis' short film ‘Rock' when he was 9 years old. With a prolific career on stage and film his
co-star and father, Jed, received the 2009 CTTA Best Actor award for his portrayal of Mal in Paul Rothwell’s play ‘The
Blackening'. They have found working together a unique and rewarding experience, for Jed “it is a very special thing to
work with your own son as an equal, on an intense and intricate piece of writing that doesn't pull punches and reminds
us of the interconnectedness (is that a word) of all things.” Riley adds “we are privileged because there is a tacit
level of trust through having known each other all my life that can take weeks of rehearsal to reach with actors you
haven’t worked with before.”
Both actors draw on their emotional resources to develop a deep understanding of who Arthur and Liam are, warts and all,
allowing the audience moments of disgust and sympathy for both men, “the father and son team of Jed and Riley Brophy dig
deep in Henderson's electrifying script to bring out many subtle nuances beyond the actual dialogue.” (Ewen Coleman)