Silent Disco

by Lachlan Philpott

 

22 March – 14 April

 

“The way you pull me in – makes me feel like I’m the best thing in the world”

Tamara is 15. Rejected by her mother, who’s moved on to a new relationship, she’s forced to live (and cope) with her embittered father, a man harbouring a secret that will deeply impact their lives.

Her very-new boyfriend’s mother has also shot through, his older brother is in prison for drug-dealing, and he lives with his aunty.

For Tamara and Squid, being in love is their escape from the brutal reality of their lives. But it’s hard for a teenager to make meaningful relationships when they’ve never seen them modeled by the adults in their lives.

Only their teacher, Mrs Petchell, seems to care about what happens to them, but it’s a battle for her to keep another year of students from slipping through the cracks.

Philpott illuminates a world of disenfranchised Sydney teens, of absent mothers, missing fathers, and struggling teachers, and reveals a society that has seemingly lost its way in dealing with its troubled youth. 

Winner: 2009 Griffin Award
Winner: 2012 AWGIE Award for Stage

“Vividly observed … Philpott speaks with a truly authentic voice” Kevin Jackson

creative team

Director Johann Walraven
Set & Costume Designer Ester Karuso-Thurn  
Lighting Designer Liam O’Keefe 
Sound Designer Jessica Dunn   
Assistant Director & Choreographer Charlene Blackshaw-Bennett  
Production Manager/Stage Manager/Operator Kianah Nelson

cast

Leilani Loau, Badaidilaga Maftuh-Flynn,
Natasha McNamara, Brendan Miles,
Tom Misa, Gemma Scoble, 

dates/times

Previews Thu 22 & Fri 23 March 7:30pm
Thursday – Saturday 7:30pm
Sunday 5pm
Saturday 14 April 2pm only
(no performance Good Friday, 30 March)

tickets

Full $35
Concessions, Groups (6+) $30
New Theatre Members $22
Previews, Thrifty Thursdays $20

School Groups $22
Accompanying teachers free
Bookings: manager@newtheatre.org.au

“There is remarkable sophistication in Philpott’s beautifully stylised writing … the characters are dynamic, and the relationships between them are intriguing” Suzy Goes See

“A thoughtful and thought-provoking production” Sydney Arts Guide

Captures the challenges of adolescence in a society on the periphery where education and aspiration often falls through the cracks” Broadway World

Main image © Lisa A/Shutterstock

Production images © Chris Lundie