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The Return: catch the last train to Freo… in Kalamunda
THE highly-acclaimed play The Return comes to KADS Theatre in Kalamunda this August and September, as part of its annual one-act play season.
Written by Reg Cribb and directed by Danni Ashton, the play is a tense psychological drama as two thugs confront and harass other passengers as a train travels to Fremantle – with many twists and turns along the way.
Joining The Return on the bill are Free Coffee for the Driver, a new play from local writer Stephan de Jonghe, and SMS Mess by Chris Thomas, fresh from its world premiere at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts in July.
Peppered with many edgy and claustrophobic moments, The Return was adapted for the big screen as Last Train to Freo in 2006, scoring a WA Premier’s Award, after receiving the Patrick White Playwrights’ Award in 2001.
Director Danni Ashton said she chose the play because of the gripping, taut realism and its ability to continually throw surprises at the audience.
“This play is an extremely powerful piece with characters that people can identify with,” she said. “I think it’s fair to say people may have spotted some of them on the train before.
“But there’s an intensity in the exploration of these characters as well, challenging perceptions and beliefs, building to a volatile ending.
“While Kalamunda might seem an odd choice for a play that strongly references Fremantle, KADS Theatre has a confined, intimate stage that lends itself perfectly to the ‘closed-in’ setting of a train carriage.”
Playwright Reg Cribb wrote Last Cab to Darwin, Chatroom and Gulpilil while director Danni Ashton most recently directed The Sum of Us at South Perth’s Old Mill Theatre and A One Night Stand Off at Guildford’s Garrick Theatre. She also received the 2007 Dramafest Best Overall Production Award for Indian Summer.
“We’re also entering The Return in two drama festivals where plays can only be a maximum of 45 minutes, so we’ve had to do an abridged version,” Ashton said.
“It was a difficult task because it’s a well-written play and every moment is gold – we had to be quite ruthless in cutting it but I think the play’s journey has even more impact now because there are no down moments.”
A strong cast has been assembled for the KADS Theatre production, featuring Phil Barnett as Steve, Murray Jackson as Trev, Krysia Wiechecki as Lisa, Jacqui Warner as Maureen and Chris Thomas as the writer.
The Return, along with Free Coffee for the Driver and SMS Mess, plays at 8pm, Friday and Saturday, August 29, 30, September 5 and 6. Tickets are $15 – bookings can be made through Nightingales Pharmacy on 9293 2621.
KADS Theatre is in the centre of Kalamunda, between Centro Shopping Centre (on Central Mall) and the post office (on Barber Street), in the Town Hall Square.
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