Judith Wright Centre and Blue Moon Theatre present

THE FLOWERING
STARRING DONNA CAMERON
INSTALLATION BY JULIE SHEPHERD
DIRECTED BY SUE RIDER

“… a must –see production” The Examiner

“…Donna Cameron’s performance is gripping” Courier Mail

Unfolding within an intricate porcelain set, Donna Cameron’s critically acclaimed theatre work The Flowering will return to the Brisbane stage when it plays Judith Wright Centre from Wednesday 10 – Saturday 13 February, 2010.

Award winning ceramic artist Julie Shepherd has created a 22-piece porcelain installation for The Flowering, which pushes the boundaries of theatre and visual arts, says acclaimed actor and playwright Donna Cameron.

“Julie’s porcelain set is delicate, magical and really pushes the boundaries of theatre and visual arts,” Cameron said.

“Under Sue Rider’s deft direction, the characters of the play seamlessly interact with the porcelain landscape,” she said.

“The fact that the porcelain could at any moment shatter like glass gives the show an extra edge,” she said.

The Flowering tells the story of what happened to a girl, Chloe, the year she vanished.

Many years after her return, Chloe is compelled to reveal what happened during the time of her disappearance and, through this retelling, the mysteries of the past come together.

Acclaimed actor and playwright Donna Cameron says she was inspired to write the one-woman-play after seeing a circus of girl performers in India.

“The inspiration for Chloe’s story came while I was travelling through India, where I saw a circus of girl performers who had obviously been stolen or kidnapped,” Cameron said.

“I’ve never forgotten the incredible mix of beauty and terror of seeing those girls; the experience made me think of the Greek myth where Persephone is stolen away from her mother Demeter to live in hell,” she said.

Set in the present, The Flowering is a multi-layered performance that weaves ancient myth and non-linear narrative devices including flashback.

The Flowering sees Cameron play all five characters including two men, a spectacle that “can be very funny”, says director Sue Rider.

“Donna has an amazing ability to switch character, and that can be very funny,” Rider said.

“The comedy of the show often takes audiences by surprise; it’s a serious story, but there’s a delightful playfulness about Donna’s performance and when certain characters clash there are some genuinely hilarious moments,” she said.

Back by popular demand, The Flowering debuted at Metro Arts in 2004 and toured to Tasmania in 2008.

Date                  Wed 10 – Sat 13 February 2010
Time                 Wed – Sat 7.30pm + Sat 2pm
Venue               Performance Space, Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts

Tickets              Full $30, Concession $25

Bookings           07 3872 9000 or judithwrightcentre.com