La Boite's Edward Gant’s Amazing Feats of Loneliness Closes June 12

Sydney Theatre Company and La Boite present Edward Gant's Amazing Feats of Loneliness by Anthony Neilson

16 June to 23 July 2011. 
Wharf 1, Sydney Theatre Company, The Wharf, Pier 4 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay

Edward Gant's Amazing Feats of Loneliness by Scottish playwright Anthony Neilson (who also wrote The Wonderful World of Dissocia presented by Sydney Theatre Company in 2009), is at Wharf 1 from 16 June to 23 July. The Australian premiere is a co-production between STC and Brisbane theatre company, La Boite, with Sarah Goodes making her STC Main Stage debut as director. Set design is by Renée Mulder, costumes are by Romance Was Born, lighting is by Damien Cooper and sound design is by Steve Toulmin. The cast are Paul Bishop, Lindsay Farris, Bryan Probets and Emily Tomlins.

It is 1881 and Victorian impresario Edward Gant and his troupe of performers present their 'freak show of deformed minds': a spectacle of melancholia, madness and music. Sometimes grotesque, sometimes exquisitely beautiful, Gant's sideshow is a strange and mysterious theatrical experience. Meet Sanzonetta, the girl whose pimpled face conceals an inner radiance and an unusual gift that her cruel, opportunistic sister cheerfully exploits. Meet also Edgar, the heartbroken lover who travels the world to cure his torment, only to find that love is an affliction that few medical men are qualified to treat.

But tonight is unlike any other show the ringmaster and his ensemble have performed. Tonight, as they conjure up these bizarre and beautiful theatrical vignettes, it is clear that there is another mystery upon the stage: that of Mr Edward Gant himself.

Anthony Neilson is renowned for his witty, bold and compassionate plays exploring unchartered psychological territories. Other plays include The Wonderful World of Dissocia, The Lying Kind, Stitching, The Censor, Penetrator and Normal.

Sarah Goodes is an alumna of STC's Assistant Director program having worked on two recent STC productions (2010's Honour and 2009's Elling). Her directing credits include The Sweetest Thing and The Small Things for B Sharp Productions and The Schelling Point for Tamarama Rock Surfers.

Romance Was Born (Luke Sales and Anna Plunkett) is one of Australia's leading fashion houses, much admired for the dramatic embellished style of its designs, bold colours, vibrant prints and eclectic silhouettes. Their lavish aesthetic often includes a pastiche of craftwork including appliqué, tie-dying and crochet. Renée Mulder's set designs include La Boite's I Love You, Bro, QTC's Sacre Bleu! and Fat Pig, and Griffin Independent's The Pigeons.

Director: Sarah Goodes. Set Designer: Renée Mulder. Costume Designers: Romance Was Born. Consultant to the Costume Designers: Renée Mulder. Lighting Designer: Damien Cooper. Composer/Sound Designer: Steve Toulmin.
Cast: Paul Bishop, Lindsay Farris, Bryan Probets, Emily Tomlins.

Box Office: (02) 9250 1777. sydneytheatre.com.au. Tickets: $30 - $77 (transaction fees may apply)

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