Latest news with #BlackSwanTheatreCompany
The Age
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Eat the rich: Black Swan's new play is biting, entertaining
Never Have I Ever Black Swan Theatre Company Heath Ledger Theatre ★★★ By the time Australian-born, British-based comedian Deborah Frances-White (of The Guilty Feminist podcast) came to write her first play Never Have I Ever, the seismic shift in culture and politics triggered by the exposure of Harvey Weinstein and the murder of George Floyd had moved into a reflective phase. Some argued that the world was more complex than depicted by so-called 'woke' culture — that middle-class white men could be aware of their privilege and power and act decently and that women and people of colour could be powerful and were not always victims. These contradictions are played out beautifully in the very funny opening of Never Have I Ever in which the owners of a swanky London restaurant — working-class chef Jacq (Emily Rose Brennan) and her lover/business partner Kas (Deep Sroa) — have invited their old university friends Tobin (Will O'Mahony) and Adaego (Ratidzo Mambo) to dinner to announce they're shutting up shop and declaring bankruptcy. Jacq and Kas are so progressive they came up with the nutty notion of individual cooking stations to make their customers feel safe in a post-COVID world, a venture backed by the progressive Tobin, who has made a fortune with his ethically driven investment company, supported by high-profile journalist and social justice warrior partner Adaego. Unfortunately, the individual stations idea (beautifully rendered onstage by Bryan Woltjen, shooting flames into the air to coincide with the various emotional eruptions), was so expensive to operate that it sent the restaurant broke despite rave reviews and full sittings. The amiable, understanding Tobin initially laughs off his sizeable loss. However, as Jacq, who dragged herself up from poverty, and the two people of colour take delight in razzing and rubbishing his attempt to make up for his white male privilege he gets increasingly agitated and defensive, setting the scene for seemingly innocuous sexual revelations during the titular drinking game that uncorks Tobin's toxic side. When writer Frances-White is poking fun at the various contradictions of this privileged quartet staking claims for their lower position on the gender/race/class ladder or their efforts to make the world a better place, the play is giddy, sophisticated fun, with the four terrific actors eliciting sympathy for their positions while making us laugh at their narcissism and blindness. 'I'm the Michelle Obama of the group!' declares Tobin, who spends the first act justifying his ethically acquired wealth and criticising the others for claiming to be progressive but making much less real-world impact than he does.
Sydney Morning Herald
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Eat the rich: Black Swan's new play is biting, entertaining
Never Have I Ever Black Swan Theatre Company Heath Ledger Theatre ★★★ By the time Australian-born, British-based comedian Deborah Frances-White (of The Guilty Feminist podcast) came to write her first play Never Have I Ever, the seismic shift in culture and politics triggered by the exposure of Harvey Weinstein and the murder of George Floyd had moved into a reflective phase. Some argued that the world was more complex than depicted by so-called 'woke' culture — that middle-class white men could be aware of their privilege and power and act decently and that women and people of colour could be powerful and were not always victims. These contradictions are played out beautifully in the very funny opening of Never Have I Ever in which the owners of a swanky London restaurant — working-class chef Jacq (Emily Rose Brennan) and her lover/business partner Kas (Deep Sroa) — have invited their old university friends Tobin (Will O'Mahony) and Adaego (Ratidzo Mambo) to dinner to announce they're shutting up shop and declaring bankruptcy. Jacq and Kas are so progressive they came up with the nutty notion of individual cooking stations to make their customers feel safe in a post-COVID world, a venture backed by the progressive Tobin, who has made a fortune with his ethically driven investment company, supported by high-profile journalist and social justice warrior partner Adaego. Unfortunately, the individual stations idea (beautifully rendered onstage by Bryan Woltjen, shooting flames into the air to coincide with the various emotional eruptions), was so expensive to operate that it sent the restaurant broke despite rave reviews and full sittings. The amiable, understanding Tobin initially laughs off his sizeable loss. However, as Jacq, who dragged herself up from poverty, and the two people of colour take delight in razzing and rubbishing his attempt to make up for his white male privilege he gets increasingly agitated and defensive, setting the scene for seemingly innocuous sexual revelations during the titular drinking game that uncorks Tobin's toxic side. When writer Frances-White is poking fun at the various contradictions of this privileged quartet staking claims for their lower position on the gender/race/class ladder or their efforts to make the world a better place, the play is giddy, sophisticated fun, with the four terrific actors eliciting sympathy for their positions while making us laugh at their narcissism and blindness. 'I'm the Michelle Obama of the group!' declares Tobin, who spends the first act justifying his ethically acquired wealth and criticising the others for claiming to be progressive but making much less real-world impact than he does.
Perth Now
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Vic Park and Black Swan pool their resources
The Town of Victoria Park has approved providing in-kind support to host the Black Swan State Theatre Company's popular immersive show The Pool at the Aqualife leisure centre for its 2025 summer showing. At the council meeting on Tuesday night, council members voted unanimously in support of the the Town's commitment to provide the funding. Victoria Park chief executive Carl Askew said the town was hopeful that hosting the production would help build a relationship with Black Swan that 'could see more productions brought to the town in the future'. Your local paper, whenever you want it. The town report said that hosting the show would increase attendance at the community leisure facility and provide local community and tourism benefits. 'The production will draw an audience to Victoria Park and be close to our food and beverage areas.' the report says. Written by Steve Rodgers and directed by Kate Champion, the production drew almost 8000 patrons over 15 performances at Bold Park in 2024. 'With the advancement of audio technology, we have the ability to bring theatre to the people, to a place where a wide range of society naturally gathers together in surroundings we are familiar with, and where a sense of egalitarianism is all pervasive - the public swimming pool, our pool, The Pool.' Ms Champion said. Audience members will be given headsets to listen in. Credit: Black Swan Theatre Company Mr Rodgers said that he feels like he has been writing this play his whole life. 'The idea began in earnest; people watching,' Mr Rodgers said. 'Sitting in the stands at my local pool, I was struck by the variety of people sharing the space. Mums and bubs, teenagers flirting, the elderly doing water aerobics, a militant lifeguard, an adult learning to swim. I started to imagine all these people's interactions, glimpsing snatches of their lives, each with their own story to tell.' The cast and crew will be at the popular leisure centre for six to seven days to rehearse and block out their performance site. One main character will be cast from the town, who is a regular at the facility. Rodgers will interview the local cast member and create a monologue that will be pre-recorded for use in the performance. The Pool cast at Bold Park Aquatic Centre. Pictured are back row Edyll Ismail, Tobias Muhafidin, Geoff Kelso and Polly Low, middle row Joel Jackson, Emma Jackson and Julia Moody, front row Anna Gray, Kylie Bracknell and Carys Munks. Credit: The West / Ian Munro The production will result in the early closure of the outdoor 50m pool from 5pm for three days before the performances for rehearsals, and closure from 6pm on the three nights of performances. The in-kind support from the town is estimated to be $3160, which includes free use of the venue and lifeguards for rehearsals, communications and marketing support for community engagement, and management of an on-site box office. The 50m outdoor pool will host the show. Credit: Victoria Park Leisure Centre The Pool is described as an immersive theatrical experience where audiences sit poolside and listen in on personal headsets to conversations of characters while watching 'their world play out'. 'It is an intimate study of the unique, fragile and varied stages of our lives, and a celebration of the public spaces that create community,' the town report says. 'The production explores themes such as parenting, ageing, disability, physical and emotional intimacy, addiction, and touch. 'This communal celebration allows the community to engage directly with the performance and promotes active participation.' The Pool will run over the week of December 7 for three nights.
West Australian
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Black Swan State Theatre Company to present Never Have I Ever by The Guilty Feminist's Deborah Frances-White
The Guilty Feminist podcast creator and author Deborah Frances-White's debut play Never Have I Ever will make its WA premiere with Black Swan State Theatre Company in June. The Queensland born, London based first time playwright is a familiar voice to Perth audiences care of her award-winning podcast, with more than 100 million downloads, subsequent live shows, plus new book Six Conversations We're Scared to Have. Set in their flailing boutique restaurant, Jacq and Kas invite long-time friends Adaego and Tobin for one last dinner to break the news of its closure, where a seemingly harmless game turns the evening into an explosive night of secrets and revelations. This delicious and hilariously high-stakes production will be directed by Black Swan Theatre Company artistic director Kate Champion who described Never Have I Ever as a bold and provocative work as it explored complex themes through a dynamic mix of social commentary and theatrical thrill at a dinner party gone wrong. 'The casting reflects the play's diversity and dynamism, and I am excited to bring this fresh, contemporary production to Perth, engaging a wide audience with its powerful exploration of identity, morality, and human relationships,' Champion said. Never Have I Ever is at Heath Ledger Theatre, June 14 to July 6. Tickets at
Perth Now
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
A theatrical thrill at a dinner party gone wrong
The Guilty Feminist podcast creator and author Deborah Frances-White's debut play Never Have I Ever will make its WA premiere with Black Swan State Theatre Company in June. The Queensland born, London based first time playwright is a familiar voice to Perth audiences care of her award-winning podcast, with more than 100 million downloads, subsequent live shows, plus new book Six Conversations We're Scared to Have. Never Have I Ever is making its Western Australian premiere this June at the Heath Ledger Theatre. Credit: supplied / supplied Set in their flailing boutique restaurant, Jacq and Kas invite long-time friends Adaego and Tobin for one last dinner to break the news of its closure, where a seemingly harmless game turns the evening into an explosive night of secrets and revelations. This delicious and hilariously high-stakes production will be directed by Black Swan Theatre Company artistic director Kate Champion who described Never Have I Ever as a bold and provocative work as it explored complex themes through a dynamic mix of social commentary and theatrical thrill at a dinner party gone wrong. 'The casting reflects the play's diversity and dynamism, and I am excited to bring this fresh, contemporary production to Perth, engaging a wide audience with its powerful exploration of identity, morality, and human relationships,' Champion said. Never Have I Ever is at Heath Ledger Theatre, June 14 to July 6. Tickets at
