MTC's 2011 'Cybec Readings' Presents 3 New Works in November

Three new works by award-winning Melbourne playwrights Paul Galloway, Melissa Reeves and Robert Reid will be road-tested at MTC's 2011 Cybec Readings on 22, 23 and 24 November 2011 at 7pm at the MTC Theatre, Lawler Studio.

At this year's play readings, accomplished actors and directors will present three diverse stories; a thrilling world chess championship, a hilarious comedy set in a Chinese massage joint, and a satire dealing with eating disorders.

Plays by Paul Galloway, Melissa Reeves and Robert Reid are examples of the high quality of playwriting that Melbourne has to offer. Reid made his mainstage debut this year at MTC to critical acclaim with The Joy of Text; Galloway's play Realism was awarded the 2009 Queensland Premiers' Literary Award; and Reeves's most recent work Furious Mattress was shortlisted for both the Queensland and Victorian Premiers' Literary Awards. All three playwrights have also had their work produced either by MTC or other major theatre companies.

‘We are pleased to announce our latest series of Cybec Readings, now being presented at the Lawler Studio for the third year. A vibrant theatre culture needs constant re-invigoration or it will begin to speak to us in a tired voice. That's why play readings are so vital to MTC. They help replenish the stream. For the writers, play readings mark a turning point in the development of their work, giving them a chance to hear their words spoken and see an audience respond before honing the script further. From the audience's point of view, there's a chance to catch a great new play hot off the press,' said MTC Associate Director Aidan Fennessy.

The Cybec Foundation has supported the Cybec Readings since its inception in 2009. The Foundation's Director Dr Roger Riordan said, ‘The primary emphasis of The Cybec Foundation is to help young people get off to a good start, and to this end we have established a number of scholarships. As we believe that diversity is important, and that the arts have an important civilising influence, several of these scholarships are in arts-related fields. In particular we have chosen to support The Cybec Readings because of the role of playwrights as custodians of the public conscience. The successful readings of last year's The Joy of Text and The Water Carriers earned both plays spots in MTC's 2011 Season, as such we are looking forward to seeing how this year's playwrights progress.'

Reykjavik
by Paul Galloway
directed by Matt Scholten
Tuesday 22 November at 7pm at the MTC Theatre, Lawler Studio

In 1972, world chess champion Boris Spassky faced challenger Bobby Fischer in Reykjavik, Iceland for what was billed the ‘match of the century'. The efficient Soviet chess machine had produced champion after champion for thirty years, but they'd never faced a threat like the American chess genius. It was a Cold War showdown. A temperamental and paranoid loner, Fischer had smashed every opponent on the way to the challenge match. Within the Soviet camp only Boris Spassky, who had beaten Fischer in all of their previous encounters, believed he had any chance of winning.

Happy Ending
by Melissa Reeves
directed by Aidan Fennessy
Wednesday 23 November at 7pm at the MTC Theatre, Lawler Studio

Louise is a married woman in her forties, with a young son, Eric. She, conceives a passionate attachment for Lu, a young male masseur at a Chinese massage joint in a large suburban shopping centre. Alternatively encouraged and discouraged by her girlfriend Liliana, Louise ferociously pursues her desire, enlisting the help of a Mandarin-speaking Australian businessman and his Chinese boyfriend, and earning the scorn of Jie, the self-possessed and opinionated owner of the massage business. Happy Ending is a comedy about desire, obsession and laziness.

Eating Alone
by Robert Reid
directed by Adena Jacobs
Thursday 24 November at 7pm the MTC Theatre, Lawler Studio

Alex Casey Collins hosts one of the most popular and controversial talk shows in drive time. A leading advocate of the pro-anorexia movement, she delights in offending the politically correct and defending the rights of anorexics everywhere. However, when one of her listeners takes her advice too far, Alex is called to account for her beliefs and to defend her lifestyle. Fighting for her job, her identity and the right to be thin, Alex Casey Collins takes on the media, the medical profession and the mothers of anorexics everywhere. Eating Alone is a satire of contemporary identity politics, media manipulation and the power of the gaze.

The Cybec Readings are proudly funded by The Cybec Foundation. Eating Alone and Happy Ending are MTC commissions supported by The Joan and Peter Clemenger Trust.

Reykjavik Tuesday 22 November 2011 at 7pm
Happy Ending Wednesday 23 November 2011 at 7pm
Eating Alone Thursday 24 November 2011 at 7pm
Venue The MTC Theatre, Lawler Studio
Tickets Adult $10 (or 3 plays for $24)* / Under 30s $5
Bookings The MTC Theatre Box Office 8688 0800, mtc.com.au or at the door

 

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