Princess Dramas Makes Australian Premiere

Elfriede Jelinek's Princess Dramas is a collection of three fascinating shorter works (Part I, Snow White; Part II, Sleeping Beauty; Part III, Jackie) that explores the notion of 'The Princess'. Are the heroines of these stories forever cursed to wait patiently for a hero on horseback? Or can they break free of the high romantic tropes that render them helpless and, quite literally, unconscious?

Jelinek's Princess Dramas are variations on one of her common themes, the difficulty of self-realisation in a world where women are painted over with stereotypical images. The plays present a radical dissection of iconic romantic fairytales and the symbolism of popular culture with its mendacious presentation of the good life.

This Australian premiere of Princess Dramas is directed by André Bastian and features Red Stitch ensemble members Dion Mills and Andrea Swifte, with special guest actor Melodie Rose Reynolds.

Director André Bastian said, "It seems difficult to imagine another opus where the force of language has been stripped bare with more eloquence...where its might and its often violent control over our thoughts can be experienced in a more inspiring way."

Elfriede Jelinek's impressive repertoire includes eleven novels, more than 30 theatre texts and a complex corpus of over 400 essays. Winner of the 2004 Nobel Prize for Literature her writing is dense, rebellious, elusive and highly unconventional.

Note: Red Stitch Actors Theatre and Goethe-Institut will also present "Afternoon Talk on Elfriede Jelinek" on Saturday June 11, an informative series of short papers by Australian and international experts that will provide exciting insights into the author and her work. Reservations can be made on 9533 8083.

Previews: Wednesday 8 & Thursday 9 June

Season: Friday 10 June - Saturday 2 July (not Monday or Tuesday)

Times: Wednesday - Saturday 8pm, Sunday 6.30pm

Matinees: Saturday June 18, 25 and July 2 at 4pm

Running time: approximately 90 minutes no interval

Bookings: www.redstitch.net (discounted tix) or on 03 9533 8083

Tickets: $20.00 - $34.00 ($15.00 student rush)

Venue: Red Stitch Actors Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel St, St Kilda

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