MTC's CYBEC ELECTRIC Returns to Southbank Theatre in February 2015

From Broome to a murder mystery, simulated war games and the sex-lives of Asian Australians, MTC's Cybec Electric returns to Southbank Theatre, The Lawler in February 2015 with four new works from a selection of Australia's most promising playwrights.

The plays by Dan Lee, Tobias Manderson-Galvin, Melissa Reeves and Michele Lee will each have public, semi-staged readings by professional actors, with the assistance of directors and dramaturgs.

MTC Literary Director and Cybec Electric curator Chris Mead said, 'Cybec Electric celebrates theatre in its simplest form: excellent writing and great stories performed by brilliant actors, all working to ignite the audience's imagination. Readings are a perfect place to experience the power of new stories and these four outstanding plays come from writers of great talent and vision.'

MTC's Cybec Electric opens with Frogs Cry Wolf, the debut play from Dan Lee inspired by his time living and working in the Kimberley. Set in Broome, Frogs Cry Wolf is a comedy of great heart about escape and addiction.

MKA's Tobias Manderson-Galvin excavates one of Australia's most famous unsolved crimes in The Unknown Man on Somerton Beach, which follows the story of two cops determined to crack this most confounding case.

From Melissa Reeves comes Archimedes' War, a black comedy about a boy playing too many video games, DIY psychology in the internet age, protecting the young and the dark side of simulated war.

Closing the Cybec Electric series is Moths by Michele Lee, a play of riotous truths, furious invention and fearless honesty. Using the transcripts of over twenty-five interviews as the starting point, Moths gives audiences unfettered access to the sex lives of Asian Australian twenty-somethings.

'With the help of the Cybec Foundation, MTC continues to support the development of new Australian theatre writing by fostering playwrights on the cusp of major careers. We invite you to join these four playwrights, the actors and directors, to be part of ushering these terrific new plays to our mainstages,' said Chris Mead.

Readings of The Unknown Man on Somerton Beach and Moths feature as part of SummerSalt Outdoor Arts Festival on 14 February and 21 February 2015. As the sun goes down, a pop-up stage with relaxed cabaret-style seating in the VCA Art Courtyard will come alive with the magic of these great stories.

Cybec Electric is an integral part of MTC's commitment to developing and presenting new Australian plays. After readings during Cybec Electric in 2014, Declan Greene's 8BG of Hardcore Pornography went on to successful seasons in Sydney and Perth, and Kylie Trounson's The Waiting Room was programmed in MTC's 2015 Season.

Cybec Electric is only possible due to the support of Roger Riordan AM and The Cybec Foundation.

Venues Southbank Theatre, The Lawler and VCA Art Courtyard (Via Dodds St, Southbank)
Season dates 9 to 21 February 2015
Tickets $10 each ($30 for a 4-play pass), Under 30s $5 each ($15 for a 4-play pass)
Bookings Southbank Theatre Box Office on 03 8688 0800 or mtc.com.au/cybec

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