Theatre Preview
Eleanor Pearson 13 August 2015 Edgy One-Woman Show at the Sydney Fringe
Actor Claudia Barrie likens her latest stage role in Dark Vanilla Jungle to the theatrical equivalent of climbing Mount Everest.
“It’s like I’ve been in training for these last few weeks. It really tests your endurance,” Barrie said. The play follows the story of a girl (Andrea) who was abandoned as a child, and because of her history of neglect, finds herself being groomed for sex by a gang.
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Dark Vanilla Jungle
Season Starting: Tuesday, September 1 (click on "Upcoming Events" for exact times.) Address: Old 505 Theatre – 505/342 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills 2010 |
“I chose this play because of the issues it addresses, and the way it was told. It struck me as something that’s not on the Australian stage. It’s a challenging role, but one you can sink your teeth into,” Barrie said.
“This girl is desperate for someone to look after her and to love her-her driving force is the need for family.”
Barrie said the themes of sexual exploitation and abuse were relevant to modern audiences everywhere.
“This girl is desperate for someone to look after her and to love her-her driving force is the need for family.”
Barrie said the themes of sexual exploitation and abuse were relevant to modern audiences everywhere.
“It’s about how women are perceived, and how safe they feel on the street at night.”
In the brief five-week rehearsal period leading up to The Sydney Fringe Barrie must muster enough energy and emotional stamina to sustain her for the taxing, and complex role of Andrea. In this one-woman show, expect the plot twists and dramatic turns characteristic of Ridley’s plays. “You get glimpses something’s not quite right. Then there’s the first “Oh”, and then something else happens, and you go – “Oh!”” “Ridley’s characters are layered. One minute you are totally with them, and the next you are thinking, “How could they do this?” They can do something horrific, but you can still empathise with them.” |
The play is being staged in the relatively small space of The Old 505 Theatre, Surry Hills. It is co-directed by Fiona Hallenan-Barker and Emma Louise, who have collaborated on Ridley’s work previously.
For Barrie, who directed Ridley’s Shivered back in May, playing Andrea was an opportunity to further explore Ridley’s poetic, but frequently confronting writing.
“His grasp of language is outstanding. As a playwright, Ridley has a maturity that you don’t see all the time.”
For Barrie, who directed Ridley’s Shivered back in May, playing Andrea was an opportunity to further explore Ridley’s poetic, but frequently confronting writing.
“His grasp of language is outstanding. As a playwright, Ridley has a maturity that you don’t see all the time.”
“Dark Vanilla Jungle is an important story that needs to be told. There won’t be another play like this at The Sydney Fringe.”
Barrie is also associate-directing a graduate production at the Actors College of Theatre & Television (A.C.T.T.) When she isn’t acting, directing, or producing independent theatre, Barrie enjoys roller derby, and abstract painting.
Dark Vanilla Jungle plays September 1-12, 2015
Barrie is also associate-directing a graduate production at the Actors College of Theatre & Television (A.C.T.T.) When she isn’t acting, directing, or producing independent theatre, Barrie enjoys roller derby, and abstract painting.
Dark Vanilla Jungle plays September 1-12, 2015
Performers and Crew
Performer
Directors
Production Design Dialect Coach Movement Choreographer Graphic Design |
Claudia Barrie
Fiona Hallenan-Barker & Emma Louise
Benjamin Brockman Emma Louise Shondelle Pratt Teresa Tan |