Debut Play for Sydney Writer

For new Sydney writer Jordy Shea, finding a company that nurtures up and coming theatre makers proved to be easier than expected. His first play, It’s Been a While will debut at the King Street Theatre, presented by Smoking Gum Theatre from July 16-19.

It will be Smoking Gum’s second production, after Colony which played during the Sydney Fringe in 2013 at the TAP Gallery. Founded by Lucinda Vitek and Eunice Huang, the company is one of the many emerging groups of artists keen to stamp their mark on the Sydney theatre scene.

Jordy Shea says he was influenced by his Australian Theatre lecturer at Uni. ‘He told us if we were to go out and do something and create something, we’d better do it now before it’s too late’. With that advice, Shea actively sought out director Lucinda Vitek who worked through a series of drafts and revisions for the piece. It went through many changes, which was entirely collaborative.

Whilst Jordy has been more associated with musical productions over the past four years, he has for a long time wanted to do something more in-depth and more realistic. It’s Been a While follows four friends who find one of their friends dead after a night of heavy partying; they all learn to come to terms with the issue of death and handle it in their own way.

‘The play is set locally, and it deals with young people taking on responsibility, learning and even understanding the idea of loss for the very first time. It’s meant to show people out there that a lot of the young population are really quite capable of dealing with things beyond their wildest imaginations.’

The cast includes Stephen Bracken, Kathryn Wenborn, Chris Circosta, Zara Stanton and Luke Holmes; all of whom have extensive theatre experience. Besides performing, the cast have been involved in production, directing, musical directing and writing their own material, often balancing several commitments at the same time. Both Director Lucinda Vitek and Producer Eunice Huang are heavily involved in SUDS (Sydney University Dramatic Society) in various roles on and off stage.

Assistance for the company has also come from the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) who have workshopped and facilitated a handful of rehearsals for the young cast. Jenni Medway, a professional dramaturg, has been sitting in and offering guidance and perspective.

Director Lucinda Vitek, who is completing a Performance Studies degree at The University of Sydney, reiterated the play’s local roots, noting that everyone participating is new. “I like the play because it reflects real life,” Lucinda says. ‘It’s Been a While’ acknowledges Australian playwrights while “other theatre companies are going back to the classics.”

It’s Been a While opens on the 16^th of July and runs until the 19^th of July at King Street Theatre, Newtown.

Director: Lucinda Vitek

Producer: Eunice Huang

Writer: Jordy Shea

Sound Design: Olga Solar

Graphic Design: Anthony McMenamin

Costume Design: Madolyn McCarthy

Cast: Stephen Bracken, Luke Holmes, Zara Stanton, Kathryn Wenborn and Chris Circosta.

Tickets: http://www.kingstreettheatre.com.au/its-been-a-while/

smokinggumtheatre.com