The National Theatre of Parramatta Presents THE INCREDIBLE HERE AND NOW

Art reflects life as Western Sydney bursts to life on stage in the world premiere production of The Incredible Here and Now from Riverside's National Theatre of Parramatta. Running from 13 to 22 July, this exciting new play has been commissioned from Western Sydney author Felicity Castagna, based on her multi-award winning novel of the same name.

Western Sydney is teeming with stories to share. The Incredible Here and Now is a coming of age tale which traverses the streets of the region, from the Parramatta Memorial Pool on a hot summer's day to charcoal chicken in Granville and the infamous North Parramatta McDonald's.

The production follows the story of Michael, a gifted writer who lives in the shadow of his older brother, Dom. The biggest guy in the school. Best car in the West. The guy who just can't help but grab everyone's attention. When Dom is gone, Michael roams the streets trying to navigate life, friendship, love and family.

Performing the lead role of Michael is Bardiya McKinnon (TV's As the Bell Rings and In Your Dreams) and as Dom, Alex Cubis (TV's Mako Mermaids and Rake). In addition, The Incredible Here stars Caroline Brazier, Libby Asiack, Olivia Simone, Ryan Peters and Sal Sharah.

"I've been attending shows at Riverside Theatres for more than 15 years,' said Felicity Castagna. 'To see my own work on stage there, in my own community is such a privilege. The support and guidance provided to me by National Theatre of Parramatta, has been incredibly important in developing my own career as a writer and as a voice in the community that I love so much.'

Directed by Jeneffa Soldatic (TV's Then that Happened and Strange LA) and Wayne Harrison (Hakawati, Young & Jackson and The One Day of the Year), The Incredible Here and Now is a powerful coming-of-age tale and a must-see production this July.

"Some people say 'West' like it is something wrong, like ice-cream that fell in a gutter. I think West is like my brother's music, too much bass so you end up dancing like your body parts don't fit together and laughing all at the same time. That's what West is: shiny cars and loud things, people coming, people going - movement. Those who don't know any better, they come into the neighbourhood and lock their windows and drive on through, never stopping before they get somewhere else. But we know better. We know the boys sag their pants because they look good that way, and the fat greedy looking guy is yelling from the balcony because his girls haven't come back from the park yet, and the men smoking hookahs at the café on the corner are only smoking stuff that smells like apples and telling each other lies like men in every other place do." Excerpt from The Incredible Here and Now by Felicity Castagna.

DATES & TIMES
Thurs 13 July at 7.30pm (Preview)
Fri 14 July at 7.30pm (Opening)
Sat 15 July at 2pm and 7.30pm
Tues 18 July at 11am
Wed 19 July at 2pm
Thurs 20 July at 10.30am and 7.30pm
Fri 21 July at 7.30pm
Sat 22 July at 2.15pm and 7.30pm

Tickets: Adult $39, Concession $34 From the Box Office (02) 8839 3399 or www.riversideparramatta.com.au. Transaction fees: phone $4.60, web $3.60 and counter $2.60. Discounts available for Riverside Theatres' Members.

Venue: Riverside Theatres - Corner of Church and Market Streets, Parramatta

Duration: Approx 75 minutes (no interval)

Written by Felicity Castagna

Directed by Jeneffa Soldatic and Wayne Harrison

Design by Isabel Hudson

Sound Design by Sean Van Doornum

Video and Lighting and Video Design by Martin Kinanne

Creative by Futures Concey Bosco

Movement Director: Sara Black

Cast: Bardiya McKinnon, Alex Cubis, Caroline Brazier, Libby Asiack, Olivia Simone, Ryan Peters and Sal Sharah.