Sunday, June 24, 2012

I've Just Worked On...


Reasons to be Pretty.
by Neil LaBute

The Australian premiere of Reasons to be Pretty by Neil LaBute at the Darlinghurst Theatre. Directed by the amazing James Beach, a fellow postgrad at NIDA during my time there, and starring Andrew Henry, (who I worked with on The Chronic Ills of Robert Zimmerman... ), Lucy Maunder, Julia Grace, and Stephen James King.

I was called in to consult during the audition process and to coach the cast during rehearsals. The play is set in Chicago, so I helped the cast with the sounds of the Northern Cities Vowel Shift. Actors love LaBute, and this is attested to by the enormous response to the wide casting call - heck I would have auditioned if the season wasn't right across my holiday. Some amazing actors at the auditions, and the cast assembled were carefully and cannily chosen!

Boy Meets Girl - Boy Dates Girl - Boy Compares Girl with Other Girl...

Greg and Stephanie have been together for a while when Greg says something pretty dumb to Stephanie that pushes her to the very edge. Their familiar struggles of wanting to be loved, wanting to feel attractive and wanting to understand each other are at the bedrock of this searing comedy.

Reasons to be Pretty gets stuck into timeless arguments between women and men in LaBute's trademark frank, honest and arresting style. Anyone who's ever written a letter to an ex, felt ugly, or generally wanted lover's revenge will be delighted by Reasons to be Pretty, LaBute's first play to transfer to Broadway (nominated for three Tony Awards).

Previews: 4 - 6 May
Season: 9 May - 3 June

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