What's On

WHAT happens when you take a famous Anton Chekhov play and set it in 1890s Queensland?

The answer lies in Three Sisters One Brother, written and directed by Ross McGregor at The Actors’ Hub this June.

Adapted from Chekhov’s Three Sisters, the play has been given an Aussie flavour to suit a variety of conditions, characters, historical facts and politics.

“If you’re interested in lasting classic plays, as those in many countries have been able to do with their own culture represented on stage for hundreds of years, this is an opportunity to see our own history,” McGregor said.

“The 1890s was a decade of amazing progress in Australia – women were allowed to vote in South Australia a year after New Zealand, there was a shearer’s strike for fairer pay, the Labor Party was born and electricity started to be introduced.

“Plus there were bushfires, droughts and squatters, which really highlighted the grit of the people.”

McGregor said the main challenge was providing a gift to the audience during every minute of their attendance.

“I want them to be able to follow the individual and conflicting journeys of the 14 characters, who are sometimes on stage at the same time,” he said.

“They should come out feeling they have understood the show, after being taken on an emotional, sometimes amusing and intellectual journey, with a new understanding of how powerful a satisfying play can be.”  

Involved in theatre, TV and film since his school days, McGregor has worked professionally for more than 50 years as a producer, director, writer and teacher.

He has worked with Channel 7 and Channel 10, as well as Canberra Repertory, Hunter Valley, Darlinghurst and Stables Theatres, Tasmanian Theatre Company, The Q Theatre, Seymour Centre, National Institute of Dramatic Art and WA Academy of Performing Arts.

“Three Sisters One Brother is a chance to explore how a young family, ripped away from their homeland to settle thousands of miles away, are continually reminded this promised Eden seems to wilfully slip through their fingers,” McGregor said.

“It emotionally keeps pulling them back to what was never real.

“The production was also an opportunity to present Australia on stage.”

Three Sisters One Brother plays 7pm June 27, 28, 29 and 30. Tickets are $30, $25 concession – book at www.trybooking.com/VTCA.   

The Actors’ Hub is at 129 Kensington Street, East Perth.