A coming-of-age birthday party. The threat of an approaching bushfire. A deeply held family secret.
It’s the 7th of February 2009 – forever known in Australia’s history as ‘Black Saturday.’ It’s also Tom Robinson’s 18th Birthday. But tensions start to rise between Tom and his older brother Matthew, along with the temperature outside, and before the ice-cream cake has time to melt a deeply held family secret is revealed.
As part of La Mama’s VCE Theatre Studies list Hearth features a stellar ensemble cast, this compelling new drama is guaranteed to not only be a thought-provoking night at the theatre, but also an extremely enjoyable one.
‘Hearth is an extraordinarily prescient play for our times. With its mixture of pathos and humour, it’s seamlessly crafted from go to woe. The characters are complex and highly conflicted, their stories delicately woven and delivered through emotionally charged language that leaves you floored.’ – Raimondo Cortese, Playwright.
‘Murphy’s story-telling sparkles… Murphy writes whirling, unfiltered emotion most powerfully‘ – Australian Stage.
‘Murphy’s writing crackles with dark wit and beauty‘ – Theatre People.
Content warning: Recommended for ages 16+, contains some coarse language, references to violence, sexual references and references to bushfires.
Performed by Geoff Paine, Sonya Suares, Kurt Pimblett, Carole Patullo, Martin Blum & Eleanor Webster
Written by Fleur Murphy
Directed by Tom Royce-Hampton
Produced by Fiona Stafford
Set & Costume Design by Chantal Marks
Lighting Design by Clare Springett
Sound Design by Max Royce-Hampton and Tom Royce-Hampton
Image by Chris Tomkins
Access Information:
Visual rating 50%: Events are partly subtitled or include dialogue, background music and/or sounds, so d/Deaf and hard of hearing audiences can have some engagement with the event.
Aural Rating 50%: Has both sound and visual components, but sight isn’t essential to be able to engage with the event.
