HOLY DAY

Following hard on the heels of their acclaimed production of Shakespeare’s Richard III, Adelaide’s University of Adelaide Theatre Guild is challenging audiences once again, this time with its October production of Andrew Bovell’s chilling mystery of fear and survival, Holy Day.

The State Theatre Company of South Australia premiered Holy Day in 2001, after its development through the commissioning process of the State Theatre‘s On Site Laboratory. It won both the 2002 AWGIE Stage Award and the 2002 VIC Premier’s Literary Award – Louis Esson Prize for Drama.

John Graham, Director for the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild’s production of the play, says it is a disquieting story of trust and truth, innocence and faith. “Andrew Bovell has melded together aspects of Australian history that have often been a source of national shame, embarrassment, and guilt,” he says. “It is only in recent times that we have started to properly address some of them.”

Playwright Andrew Bovell (When the Rain Stops Falling and Speaking in Tongues) sets Holy Day on the edge of white settlement in 1850’s Australia, in the harsh and brutal climate of the outback; where the need to survive, fed by fear of the unfamiliar, can lead people to commit terrible acts.

At the core of the play is the apparent murder of a missionary, the kidnapping of his infant daughter and the burning of his church by the local Aboriginals.  The only witness to what actually happened at the mission is an Aboriginal woman, who is reluctant to tell what she saw.  Who would believe her rather than a white missionary’s wife?

The mystery draws together the lives of four extraordinary women and their men, played by Robert Bell, Brant Eustice, Matthew Houston, Fiona Lardner, Carissa Lee, Steve Marvanek, Nicolle Orr and Cate Rogers.

Holy Day’s set design is by Normajeane Ohlsson, with lighting design by Richard Parkhill.

John Graham says of his directorial involvement with Holy Day, “I am delighted to have been invited back to direct for The Theatre Guild in its 75^th Anniversary year. It has been a rewarding opportunity to work with a great team of amazing actors, creative artists and crew to bring this important and challenging play to fruition.”

Holy Day is a stark reminder of our past, a past that needs to be told and remembered.

Lesley Reed

Dates: Sat 5, Tues-Sat 8-12 & 15-19 October 2013 at 7.30pm

Venue: Little Theatre, The Cloisters, University of Adelaide.

After hours parking available in the University grounds (ticket machine in Cloisters parking area)

Bookings: www.adelaide.edu.au/theatreguild (fee applies)

BASS 131 246 (fee applies)

Tickets at the door subject to availability (cash only)

Group Bookings: 10+ at concession rate from 8313 5999 only

Tickets: $28 Full / $23 Concession