The History of the Devil at Metro Arts
Dates: (11/22/2023 - 12/16/2023 )
Metro Arts |
Polymorphic Productions
97 Boundary Street
West End,Queensland 4101
Phone: (07) 3002 7100
Tickets: $35 - $45
In Clive Barker's frequently fantastic and often grotesque The History of the Devil, a deprived and lovelorn Satan is sick and tired of living in Hell. He bemoans the loss of his angel-wings, his freedom of flight, his elegance, and grace. And he misses God. So, he calls a trial, his appeal, to seek re-admittance into Heaven. The prosecution argues that the Devil’s presence on Earth has had a disastrous effect on mankind, whereas the defense counters that the Devil is – and always has been – man’s greatest scapegoat.
As the trial moves through space and time, a seductively wide range of characters tell the Devil’s story. Whether it is angels falling from heaven in a Russian winter, a decaying prison cell holding accused witches in Lucerne, or a boxing match in England with stakes high enough to make a man out of a machine, each testimony reveals the Devil wearing a different skin, until, by the end, he sheds them all. Are these scenes of humanity's great failures - or are they the work of the Devil, his own wicked crimes? Does even the Devil eventually deserve paradise? If Satan wins his day in court, he'll be with his Father in Heaven. And if he loses? He'll spend eternity here with us - on Earth.
It's an argument for integrity. If letting the Devil, a character widely regarded as the ultimate wrongdoer, go free turns out to be the ethical thing to do, should you do it?
Written in the early 1980s and published in 1995 as part of a collection of plays called Incarnations, Clive Barker never intended the play to be published, originally writing it to be developed and performed by his own London theatre, The Dog Company, with himself as director and Doug Bradley (who gained fame as Pinhead in Barker’s Hellraiser films) as the Devil. It has since been performed in numerous theatres’ around the world.
According to Clive Barker “if this story is worth telling it’s because it’s about being human. The Devil’s tale is the tale of our own confusion, ego, and inability to live without hope for heaven.”
Under James Kable’s direction of Clive Barker's dark and witty script for Polymorphic Productions, we see Satan at his mercurial wickedest. In a play of interesting twists and turns, full of dark humour and some hilarious role reversals, a gifted cast of 10 portray over 30 characters led by Connor Scoble as the slippery, charismatic Lucifer.
Connor is joined by Lisa Hickey, Sherri Smith, Tiana Varcoe, Thomas Eastwood, Sandra Harman, Alexis Beebe, Ben Postle, Zara Chandler, and Cullyn Beckton in this one-of-a-kind production.
The History of the Devil plays at Metro Arts New Benner Theatre from 22nd November to 16th December 2023
Information and Ticketing: https://metroarts.com.au/event/the-history-of-the-devil/
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The History of the Devil at Metro Arts Schedule
Cast and Creative team for The History of the Devil at Metro Arts
Cast
Connor Scoble
The Devil
From an early age, it became very clear that Connor’s calling was performing. From bit parts in school plays to watching shows and movies over and over again while mimicking the lines, he realised that he was going to become an actor. After graduating high school, Connor began and completed a 3 year study at The Central Queensland Conservatorium Of Music, graduating with a degree in theatre (Drama). During this time he was given the opportunities to work with several industry professionals such as Kyle Rowling, Jason Langley & Luke Rogers. As well as learning valuable lessons about styles such as stage combat, Shakespeare, clowning and Comedia Del Arte. Since then, he has studied film acting at Sydney Actors Association and worked for Luna Park Sydney, Dark Stories and Warner Bros. Movie World. Some of his favourite roles have included The Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz, Oscar Lindquist from Sweet Charity and most favourably, Nick Bottom from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night's Dream. Getting to play The Devil in this project has been an incredible experience and Connor is super excited to show everyone what the cast have been working on and to bring this dark icon to life with passion and humour.
Lisa Hickey
Kate Lamb, York, Madeleine
Lisa has worked extensively in Theatre in Brisbane, appearing in many La Boite productions including The Enemy Within, The Perfectionist, No Exit, The Threepenny Opera, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Plastik, Angry Housewives, The Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, The Maids, Popular Front and War Women; in Toadshow’s Conway Christ and The Hound of Music; Acronym’s King Lear, The Visit and Teechers; Fractal’s Female Parts, The Yellow Wallpaper and The Untouchable Julie. After moving to Melbourne in the mid-90s, Lisa did a lot of film and TV work including Blue Heelers, Australia’s Most Wanted, Neighbours, Backberner, Stingers, educational and corporate videos and ABC Radio Drama. After returning to Brisbane in 2015, she has appeared in That Production Company’s When the Rain Stops Falling, The Curators’ Uncle Vanya, Ghosts, The Revolutionists and Shadows of Love. She recently appeared in Lost Horizons for PIP Theatre and Children of the Black Skirt for Lost Child Ensemble. She also performed in an Audible sci-fi podcast and appeared in the feature films Swimming For Gold and the upcoming Audrey. Lisa has also done considerable voice-over work, several TV and internet commercials, simulated patient work in hospitals and countless radio promos. She has also directed Plucked for the Anywhere Festival (which one The People’s Choice Award) and John Romeril’s Mrs Thally F, one of the short plays in Shadows of Love in 2022.
Tiana Varcoe
Jane Beck, Nancy Kyle, Pia Shim, Mary Ann Clark, Therese
Tiana is a Queensland based film and theatre actor, singer, and songwriter. She has appeared in a
number of short films, feature films, TV series and theatre productions; Best known for her roles in
Short films ‘One Call’ as Lou, and ‘The Midnight Sower’ as Natasha; And in theatre productions
‘Kinky Boots’ as Lauren and ‘Rock of Ages’ as Sherry. Prior to moving to QLD Tiana also had the
privilege of performing at annual Anzac Day and Remembrance Day Ceremonies for her local
communities in NSW. Tiana is very excited to be back on stage once more, grateful to be given the
opportunity to bring to life these complex and diverse characters.
Thomas Eastwood
Samuel Kyle, Nicholas Vidal, Daniel Mendoza, Georg
Thomas Eastwood is a classically trained Meisner actor, having been taught by Suzanne Esper, as well as an alumni of the Queensland theatre youth ensemble where in 2016 he performed in their production of Caryl Churchills love and information. Thomas is also a budding singer/ songwriter and looking to get into voice acting, with his strong ability for mimicry, accents, and character voices. Having just recently finished the 2-year full time acting course at the William Esper Studio in new York this is Thomas’s first job in the theatre, and looking forward to more in the future.
Sandra Harman
Verrier, Ulla Shim, Mrs. Mendoza, Barbara, Lilith
Sandra is a Queensland based theatre and film actor, director, producer, children’s entertainer, vocalist, voice over artist & events host. She was co-founder with Ron Kelly of the Edge Theatre Company as well as administrator and resident actor, has performed in Theatre in Education shows for Child Care Centres, Pre-schools and Primary Schools throughout Queensland, has appeared in a number of short films, feature films, television and TVC’s, and toured The Netherlands, UK, Wales, and Australia as Sybil Faulty in Faulty Towers, the Dining Experience and An Evening with Faulty Towers.
Sherri Smith
Isobel Nider, Alette Vidal
Sherri’s theatre credits include the lead role in John Romeril’s Mrs Thally F, which was part of a trilogy of plays collectively called Shadows of Love in the 2022 Brisbane Fringe Festival; Regan in King Lear Monster Show and Sonia in Uncle Vanya for The Curators’, as a solo performer in Animal Farm for Crossroad Arts Theatre at the Powerhouse, Oberon in Midsummer Night’s Dream for The Performing Arts Conservatory, Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet for the Shakespeare Festival, and MJ in Mania at the Brisbane Arts Festival. Her film credits include short films Ballooming, Edge and Smile the Series, and in Practise Patience, a TV series. With a background in dance and movement, Sherri has consulted for movement choreography on a number of theatre and film projects, with credits including Iago for Hackett Productions, Hamlet for HeartBeast Theatre Company, and Project Eden Vol. 1 with Mad Anth'm Productions. She continues to train in the stage fight sector from unarmed to swordplay.
Zara Chandler
Milo Milo, Actor 1 / SM
Zara Chandler is a Meanjin-based theatre maker and storyteller, who adores getting to explore the flaws of character, whether it be through Directing, Acting, Stage Management, or Writing. She loves to see how different sides of theatre work, therefore exploring as much as she possibly can. Between 2021-2021 she was writing, directing, and stage managing her own shows, including: Monster (2021); Tainted (2022); and Elevated (2022). More recently Zara has continued working with indie theatre companies to bring other people's work to life, including, co-directing and stage-managing Next of Kin by Lily Moon, acting in Pashun by Harrison Mills (Presented by TheatrePunk) and assistant directing and stage-managing Every Father: From a Noah Baumbach Film by Jackson Paul (Presented by Underground Theatre via Short Play Festival).
Alexis Beebe
Judge Popper
Alexis’ career path as an actor was determined at an early age, at The Brisbane Arts Theatre.
Her passion for acting and theatre soon led to professional acting work and after living and
working as a young actor in Brisbane, she moved to London at 18 where she studied acting
and lived for nine years. Since returning to Australia, Alexis has lived and performed in
Sydney, Canberra (where she received an MEAA Green Room Award for Professional
Performer of the Year and a Canberra Critics Circle Award) and Melbourne. Back in Brisbane
Alexis continues her acting career on the other side of a twelve-year sabbatical in which she
achieved a Social Science Degree, a Law Degree, a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and
two children. Alexis is incredibly honoured to be a part of this production of The History of the
Devil and to work with such amazing Brisbane talent.
Ben Postle
Belial, Jack Easter, Dante, Jesus Christ, Macready, Actor
Ben started acting in 2013, training under a great number of teachers and getting the chance to play in such greats as Romeo and Juliet and The Importance of Being Earnest. After completing a few school showcases and a Trinity London Exam, he took a hiatus from acting. He made his return in early 2023 with his involvement in Brisbane Arts Theatre’s Bard Wars and is determined to keep the fun going with The History of the Devil.
Cullyn Beckton
Boxing MC / ASM
Cullyn Beckton is a Meanjin/Brisbane based performer and creative. Currently, they are studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts Drama at the Queensland University of Technology. Cullyn has been all over Brisbane, tearing up the stage and leaving a trail of destruction behind them. This includes works such as Pashun with theatrePUNK. co, Card Houses by Harrison Mills, and The Flower Does Not Exist which Cullyn wrote and produced. Cullyn was drawn to this production due to its gripping story, black comedy, and overall dark aesthetic, this unholy trinity fills their twisted heart with much joy. They simply cannot wait for you to see it.
Creative Team
James Kable
Director
James has worked as an actor, a director, a producer and an acting coach. As an actor, some highlights include Verlaine in Total Eclipse, Barney in Summer of the Seventeenth Doll and Dave No-Name in Alive at Williamstown Pier, all at La Boîte. Other favourites include The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by Geoffrey Rush, and Mad Hercules and Love’s Labours Lost for QTC. As a director, the Sam Shepard plays Tooth of Crime and Fool for Love are his standout favourites. He has produced over a dozen plays including Quartet by Heiner Muller, Waiting for Godot, directed by Sean Mee and Lunch with Vincent River by Steven Berkoff and Philip Ridley. Last year he performed in The Curators’ triptych, Shadows of Love.
Nathaniel Knight
Lighting Designer
Since completing his Cert 3 in Live Production and a Bachelor of Fine Arts with QUT, Nathanial has worked extensively as Designer, General Technician and Lighting Operator for numerous companies throughout Queensland including QUT, LaBoite, EventX, Queensland Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse and is currently Technical Co-Ordinator at Metro Arts. As a freelance artist, productions have included Unspoken Word is ‘Joe’ for Reaction Theory, Control for Observatory Theatre, Charlotte’s Web, Sherlock Holmes, Deaths of Shakespeare, Lion King Jr, Blackrock, Picnic at Hanging Rock and Lord of the Flies for Little Seeds, Throne and Sewer Rats for Anywhere Festival, Our Blood Runs in the Streets for Redline Productions, Bilum Mamma for Little match Productions, I Love You Bro for That Production company and A Life in the Theatre for Ad Astra.
Ewan Roberston
Sound Designer
Ewan Robertson is a Meanjin based actor and theatre maker, currently studying a Bachelor of Fine arts Drama at QUT. Following extensive training from Backbone Youth Arts, Queensland Theatre, and Mammalian Diving Reflex, he began a serious artistic practice this year with roles on and beyond the stage in; Crea Arena's 2am: The Extended Cut, TheatrePUNK's Barriers and PASHUN, QUT Acting's Speaking in Tongues, and Underground Theatre Company's Lamb of God. A background in music and sound production has armed this one of a kind creative with just enough - and a little bit more - to bring Clive Barker's devilish world to life. A highfalutin artist with a specialty in piss-taking he thrives in the not so small intersection between abstraction, classics, and comedy. Ewan is ready to bring his all queer, all referential and fundamentally unserious perspective to Polymorphic Production's The History of the Devil and believes that this is a show for every man, woman, and angel - winged or otherwise.
Zara Chandler
Stage Manager
Zara Chandler is a Meanjin-based theatre maker and storyteller, who adores getting to explore the flaws of character, whether it be through Directing, Acting, Stage Management, or Writing. She loves to see how different sides of theatre work, therefore exploring as much as she possibly can. Between 2021-2021 she was writing, directing, and stage managing her own shows, including: Monster (2021); Tainted (2022); and Elevated (2022). More recently Zara has continued working with indie theatre companies to bring other people's work to life, including, co-directing and stage-managing Next of Kin by Lily Moon, acting in Pashun by Harrison Mills (Presented by TheatrePunk) and assistant directing and stage-managing Every Father: From a Noah Baumbach Film by Jackson Paul (Presented by Underground Theatre via Short Play Festival).
Cullyn Beckton
Asistant Stage Manager
Cullyn Beckton is a Meanjin/Brisbane based performer and creative. Currently, they are studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts Drama at the Queensland University of Technology. Cullyn has been all over Brisbane, tearing up the stage and leaving a trail of destruction behind them. This includes works such as Pashun with theatrePUNK. Co, Card Houses by Harrison Mills, and The Flower Does Not Exist which Cullyn wrote and produced. Cullyn was drawn to this production due to its gripping story, black comedy, and overall dark aesthetic; this unholy trinity fills their twisted heart with much joy. They simply cannot wait for you to see it.
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