WA Theatrical Debut for Lally Katz with THE EISTEDDFOD to Play Next Month

Sometimes make believe is the only way to make sense of the world.

Lally Katz emerged from the Melbourne indie theatre scene to become one of Australia's hottest playwrights, and is currently one of the most performed nationally. An award-winning hit at the New York International Fringe Festival, The Eisteddfod explores the nostalgic childhood world of orphaned siblings Abalone (Brendan Ewing) and his sister, Gerture (Natalie Holmwood). They are inseparable and love to play games together.

Abalone's passion for amateur dramatics is a growing obsession, however Gerture's interest in the imaginary worlds they create to stave off boredom is beginning to wane. But there is one ?nal role-playing game Abalone thinks will bring his sister around and be sure to win him the ultimate prize - that ?rst place ribbon at the Eisteddfod, with their rendition of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

Lally Katz's disembodied voice leads the audience on a comic and somewhat unsettling journey. It is an intricate story, deftly told and an exciting, unpredictable production about the drama of growing up.

In my conversations with BLACK SWAN patrons and subscribers, I've felt their hunger for challenge and new ideas, which is why I considered Lally Katz's The Eisteddfod the perfect production to direct. It is a dark comedy about the cycles of familial violence, arrested development, and the sudden realisation that the world is never as we want it to be. Lally Katz is an important Australian writer and it's well overdue that we celebrate her work here in WA. - Jeffrey Jay Fowler

BLACK SWAN State Theatre Company's and WA Premiere of the award-winning The Eisteddfod by Lally Katz in the Studio Underground, State Theatre Centre of WA will play from Thursday 22 June to Sunday 9 July. For more information, visit www.bsstc.com.au.

Photo credit: Robert Frith

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