Original romcomedramedy for Sutherland

Sutherland Theatre Company presents Better Left Said, an original play by local writers Scott Brawley and Robert Stewart, as their first production for 2014.

In mid 2012 Scott and Robert set out to write a 1930’s style radio play in the hope that it would be staged at the Sutherland Memorial School of Arts. Some 20 months later, they find opening night approaching. A curious thing happened along the way, however, their radio play morphed into Better Left Said, a contemporary comedy/drama with a cast of four.

The play follows John, a successful psychologist, who is extremely content with his perfectly constructed life. His wife Anne is a loving and supportive homemaker, and his daughter, Lexie, is a high achiever, meeting all but one of his expectations. When Lexie announces that she has broken up with her "unsuitable" boyfriend, John's happiness appears complete. But John's perfect world is about to crumble as his perfect daughter announces that she is taking charge of her life, and his perfect wife begins to question his authority. In the course of treating his patient, Andrew, John discovers things that send his already crumbling world into a spiral.

“It has been a long journey getting Better Left Said to the stage,” admit Scott and Robert. “Fortunately, we have four talented actors in our cast, who have committed themselves fully to the play over the past six months, putting up with innumerable rewrites. The enthusiasm with which they have embraced the play and brought our characters to life has been an amazing experience for us.”

For David Delaney, the biggest challenge of playing John is “bringing his vulnerability to life in a character that is, how do I say, not vulnerable.”
“We all find parts of characters that we recognise in ourselves and more often than not, we don't like to admit it. I have found shades of John’s structured personality that mirror mine,” he adds.

He admits that his favourite line of dialogue, "What exactly does she think dinner at 7pm sharp means?" is one he has been known to paraphrase in his own life.
Gareth Martin’s challenge is “representing Andrew in a depressed state, whilst trying to make him likeable to the audience.”

Does he see aspects of himself in the character of Andrew?

“I think we can all relate to Andrew's anxiety, especially in a new relationship. And, just like most people, I've had moments where I have felt quite low. Drawing on those experiences has helped me tap into Andrew's mood.”

How does Better Left Said differ from other plays he’s appeared in?

“I haven't performed in a play that focuses this much on the dynamics within a family. I believe everyone can relate to at least some of the characters, and that the play makes you think about your own family, and your position in it.”

And the experience of originating a character in a new play?

“It has been wonderful seeing Andrew develop as some parts of the script are tweaked along the way. And it is incredible to know that I will be the very first Andrew. I feel very lucky.”

“Alexandra is the daughter of John the psychologist,” explains Belinda Balhatchet, who is creating the role. “She is in her mid-twenties and is having a bit of a crisis in her career and her love life, which she mostly blames on her father. Lexie loses her keys a lot. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have some real world experience to draw on there.”

Belinda has enjoyed “thechance to develop a character from scratch and have input into a brand new script has been a real thrill for me. It's allowed me to delve into my character in a more thorough way than ever before and it's been great fun.”

And Belinda’s favourite line of dialogue from the play?

‘I'm trucked?’

Christianne Brawley, married to co-writer Scott, says of her character,“Anne is so well written and incorporates real feelings ofwomen I know. What’s challenging about the part is how much you have to show how she feels when she doesn't say it. I would stand up for myself more and bite back.

“I don't know personally how I would say that I identify with Anne, but my son watched a rehearsal and told me that several of my lines sounded like things that I would say. As my husband is one of the playwrights, I can't say how much he has mined me for inspiration. But it's probably more than I would like.”

Christianne’s favourite line is “about how I wish my husband in the play would take enough interest in me to know how I feel about things, because I think we can all relate to this at some time with someone in our lives. My other favourite line is by my husband in the play who says, ‘by being late they're basically saying our time is more important than yours’, because secretly I agree with him.”

What is it like having helped to develop characters in an original play?

Better Left Said has been a unique experience for Christianne.

“I've never been involved in helping to shape an original character on the page in collaboration with the writers and other actors. It feels amazing to be originating a role, who feels so accessible to me.  Because I have been part of this process I feel I understand this character better than most I have played, and it has helped give me a rich internal life for her so that I can really think her thoughts and feel her feelings.”

What is the audience going to be thinking about as they drive home after seeing this show?

“There will definitely be conversations about the dynamics of their own family,” says 

David, “and which parts mirrored the play - it really has something that everyone can relate to.”

“I reckon people will wonder how they are perceived by those closest to them, says Gareth. “The audience will see how John, for most of the play, seems ignorant to his own flaws in his relationships with his family, and will wonder whether some of their own flaws need addressing.”

“I think this play will remind our audience that the grass is not always greener on the other side and encourage them to reflect on their own family relationships (in a positive way),” says Gareth. “That's assuming they can think past the brilliance of the performance they just witnessed.”

“I think the audience after the show will reflect on the great writing, so based in reality, and the identifiable characters,” says Christianne. “We've all known someone who is a bit like one of these characters. I think they will be impressed that two local blokes have written such a quality piece of writing.”

Better Left Said will be performed at the Sutherland Memorial School of Arts, East Parade, Sutherland. The performance dates are:

Friday 7 March at 8pm

Saturday 8 March at 2pm

Sunday 9 March at 2pm

Thursday 13 March at 8pm

Friday 14 March at 8pm

Saturday 15 March at 8pm

Sunday 16 March at 2pm

www.thesutherlandtheatrecompany.com.au

Bookings: http://www.trybooking.com/64824 or by calling Chris on 9150 7574.

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