This production was staged on the 2nd and 3rd of August, 2018. It commenced at 7pm and ran for approximately two hours, including an interval.
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Speaking in Tongues was presented at the Kew Court House in Naarm (Melbourne). Throughout the casting, rehearsal and performance stages of this production, the team involved in this show worked on the unceded land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. This always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
SPEAKING IN TONGUES
By Andrew Bovell
Following the success of the company’s first production, Euripides’ Medea, in 2017, the Artistic Directors wanted to take Shakespearean Jeans in a new direction. They sought a modern script that felt fresh and pertinent. Speaking in Tongues was just that. Australian playwright Andrew Bovell crafts such evocative interactions on the page, which the co-directors have immensely enjoyed bringing to the stage. The text offers a great deal to unpack, with complex characters, layers of connectivity within the plot and a breadth of ideas explored. Speaking in Tongues is about storytelling and shared moments. It’s about a disconnect between desire and action. It’s about truth and dishonesty. And at its core, it’s about relationships. Struck by the fervent contemporary dialogue, the directors strove to create contrast, thus workshopped a certain stylised physicality with the actors as a means to shape the world of the play.
Shakespearean Jeans believes firmly in casting the best actors available for each role on offer, regardless of age, gender, racial background or any other factors (where such factors are not central to the character or narrative). It is for this reason that in this interpretation of Speaking in Tongues, Neil has been changed to Rosa and John to Claire. The company is pleased to embrace the opportunity of staging a gritty Australian drama featuring multiple same-sex relationships.
This dark, mysterious and at times strangely humorous text is brought to life by a formidable cast who offer depth and vulnerability in their performance. A talented and fiercely dedicated crew has worked collaboratively to develop a cohesive production. Nicola Dobinson's design choice to keep the stage at the Kew Court House fairly bare allows the focus to be on the characters and the story they're unravelling. Sound by Conor Day and lighting by Oliver Ross deserve a special mention for their combined role in producing a truly intense and haunting atmosphere, sure to send chills through the audience.
Production Team
Directors: Lucy Seale & Nicola Dobinson
Producers: Lucy Seale & Nicola Dobinson
Production Managers: Lucy Seale & Nicola Dobinson
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Stage Manager: Emma Bampton
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Costume Designer: Nicola Dobinson
Graphic Designer: Nicola Dobinson
Equity and Welfare Officer: Emma Bampton
Publicity and Marketing Manager: Lauren Miles
Photographer and Videographer: Lauren Miles
Lighting Designer and Operator: Oliver Ross
Sound Designer and Operator: Conor Day
Composer: Lucy Seale
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Front of House: Lauren Miles
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Cast
Claire: Mia Black
Sonja: Genevieve Simone Brott
Leon: Jesse Denson
Sarah: Pamela Freire
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Nick: James Gordon
Jane: Ella Horska
Rosa: Merryn Hughes
Valerie: Rachael Taylor
Pete: Shane Woods
Special thanks to
The George Paton Gallery for providing in-kind support. The Speaking in Tongues team had the privilege of undertaking a residency in the gallery space during the development stage of this production. This time and space was largely utilised in an exploration of non-naturalistic movement sequences for the show.
Union House Theatre for providing rehearsal space for this production.
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Joshua Barmakov for photographing the production's residency in the George Paton Gallery.
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Emma Bampton for her work throughout the creative development of the show, in an assistant director capacity.
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​Audience members who were in a position to donate to the company’s collection bucket. Shakespearean Jeans is almost entirely self-funded so the support is greatly appreciated. Funds donated by generous patrons went towards covering costs of this and future shows. The company’s largest cost is venue hire. Aside from that, Shakespearean Jeans tries its very best to source all costumes, props and materials from within the team, second-hand or from environmentally and ethically sound companies.
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ADDITIONAL NOTES FROM THE SHOW
Content warning
This production contains references to domestic violence, sexual abuse and suicide, as well as other adult themes.
Accessibility
The Kew Court House is wheelchair accessible.
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This show contains bright lights and sudden noises.
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The venue has accessible bathrooms.