“How far would you go for family?” That’s the question central to independent professional theatre company Et Tu’s new production of Orphans by celebrated playwright and screenwriter Dennis Kelly.
Running in Bellingen from October 1-11, this award-winning urban drama explores generational damage, class divides and morality through the lives of one family, and an event that changes everything.
“This play starts with a bang, and escalates from there,” Et Tu co-founder Seton Pollock says.
“You’ve got this married couple, Danny and Helen, whose romantic dinner plans are interrupted when Helen’s brother Liam shows up covered in blood. Where do you go from there? It’s uncharted territory, which is rare and an exciting proposition for audiences.”
Dennis Kelly’s Orphans won both the Edinburgh Fringe First Award and the Herald Angel Award when it was first staged in the UK in 2009. Both the exceptional storytelling, and relevance for audiences today, were key factors in Et Tu Theatre’s decision to produce the play.
“There’s so much about this play that speaks to what’s happening in the world today. Dennis Kelly’s work has a specificity as well as a timelessness that has always pulled me in,” Et Tu co-founder Amy Bradney-George said.
“He has this brilliant way of using humour and relatability, which can lull you into a sense of security, before delivering a gut-punching twist.”
Et Tu Theatre’s production offers an intense, intimate studio theatre experience at the Bellingen Memorial Hall, with a limited capacity of 50 seats per performance.
“This is our fourth production in the studio space at the Bellingen Memorial Hall, and it’s ideal for experiencing the powerful and unique connection of live theatre,” Seton Pollock said.
For this production, Pollock and Bradney-George have brought on one of their former acting students, Peter Nelson.
“Pete came to every one of our Camp Creative workshops and has a real drive for the detailed, professional level of work we bring to our productions,” Pollock said.
“It’s great to be able to share our industry experience and insights with him.”
Bradney-George adds that Et Tu Theatre aims to work with local professionals as much as possible.
“Our stage manager, set builder and sound designer are all locals, and we use the incredible Inspired AudioVisual for sound and lighting for all our productions,” she said.
“It’s really important to both me and Seton that we contribute to the creative culture here, and to developing more professional theatre in this region.”
Et Tu Theatre’s production of Orphans by Dennis Kelly is on at the Bellingen Memorial Hall Studio from October 1-11. For more information and tickets visit https://ettuproductions.com/season