Loves & Hours: Australian Premiere for Adelaide’s Galleon Theatre
If a man is newly divorced and an empty nester, what does he do with the rest of his life? That’s the dilemma facing Dan Tilney in Galleon Theatre Group’s Australian Premiere of Stephen Metcalfe’s gentle comedy Loves & Hours.
Like many men in a similar position, Dan Tilney is completely at a loss as to his way forward in love. As for his friends…well, that’s another story; they’re sure they know what Dan needs, but will it be Charlotte, who is twenty years his junior and bursting with life, or will he fall in love with Julia, his life-long friend and confidant? Of course, as invariably happens in life, there are complications, not the least that Dan’s ex-wife has announced she’s gay. Add in the fact that their teenage son is having an affair with a neighbor. Mix it up with Dan’s best friend Harold, who is suffering a mid-life crisis, then spice the whole chaotic mess with his daughter, Rebecca, who has anger issues. Clearly for Dan, life and love is complicated and the future is less than certain.
‘Why another play about love?’ asks Loves & Hours’ Director, Erik Strauts (pictured below). ‘Well, it is, after all, one of life’s universal themes. It touches us all, so there is never really a reason to stop exploring love’s complexities, flavours and variations.’
As we all know, society will always test the limits and boundaries it places on relationships. Loves and Hours probes some of these issues and according to Erik Strauts the play even dares to offer some judgements. ‘It is not unreasonable to accept that society’s social standards are usually driven by practicality, reality and logic,’ he says, ‘but there again, since when has love been logical?’
The director adds, ‘A special thank you to Galleon for being prepared to produce something slightly “outside the box”. There is always room for a good play about love, so why recycle the old and safe favourites when there are so many new plays available?’
When it comes to pushing boundaries, Galleon is testing its own norms with this production. The company is particularly renowned in Adelaide for its critically acclaimed box sets, but for Loves & Hours Galleon will move away from this. Instead, the company intends to utilise the complete stage and even the cherry-red walls of its regular venue, Marion Cultural Centre’s Domain Theatre. Julia Morris has designed a stylistic monochrome set that will suit the many vignettes in the play.
Erik Strauts has cast actors highly experienced in comedy; Andrew Horwood plays Dan Tilney, the newly single man on the loose, Shelly Hampton is Julia, his life-long friend, while Rosie Williams plays Charlotte the younger woman in his life. Bronwyn Ruciak, Sharon Pitardi, Megan Langford, Laura Antoniazzi, John Koch, Adam Dalby, Shelley Hampton and Simon Lancione complete the ensemble.
Galleon Theatre Group is well known for its choice of delightfully different comedies and with its wonderful characters and fabulous cast, Loves & Hours promises to continue the tradition.
Lesley Reed
Bookings: 0437 609 577 or online at www.galleon.org.au
Cabaret and row seating available. BYO licence and bar service.
Dates: Preview May 21, 8pm; May 22, 23, 24, 8pm; May 29, 30, 31, 8pm; Matinee May 31, 2pm.
Venue: The Domain Theatre, Marion Cultural Centre.
Tickets: Adults $22, concession $18, Preview $15.
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