Examining the heinous murders of dozens of gay men in Sydney in the 1980s, Merrigong Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Lost Boys by award-winning Australian playwright Lachlan Philpott at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre from 23 May 2018.
Cy and Robert Murphy are teenagers living a life of sun and saltwater, but as the sun sets, a malevolent culture of homophobia and violence surfaces, with consequences that ripple across generations.
Influenced by real events, including the murder of Wollongong newsreader Ross Warren, Lost Boys is told through the eyes of three generations of the Murphy family and rips into a dark part of our male-dominated culture, asking how perpetrators of violent crimes live with their unspeakable pasts.
After three years at Merrigong Theatre Company as Artistic Development Manager, acclaimed director and former Artistic Director of the Tamarama Rock Surfers Theatre Company and The Old Fitzroy Theatre in Sydney, Leland Kean, is thrilled to be making his directorial debut at Merrigong Theatre Company with the world premiere of Lost Boys.
“In the wake of the yes vote, it is incredibly important that we do not forget the tragic events that have affected this community, the faces of the victims of these hate crimes, and the ongoing effect on their families and friends,” said Kean. “This work turns the spotlight on these events, asking why and how people choose to act in this way.”
Inspired by a shocking chapter in recent Australian history, this fierce and compelling new play was specially commissioned and developed by Merrigong Theatre Company, forcing us to examine secrets held for decades, and prejudices held today.
Lachlan Philpott is an award winning theatre writer, director and teacher. His works include Bison, Bustown, Catapult, Colder, The Chosen, Due Monday, Lake Disappointment, Little Emperors, M. Rock, Michael Swordfish, The Pineapple War, Silent Disco, The Trouble with Harry and Truck Stop.
Director: Leland Kean Featuring: Josh Anderson, Adam Booth, Jackson Davis, Lucy Heffernan, Jodie Le Vesconte, Ben Pfeiffer, Jane Phegan, Lincoln Vickery Designer: Katja Handt AV Designer: Mic Gruchy Sound Designer: Daryl Wallis Lighting Design: Jasmine Rizk Dramaturg: Jane Fitzgerald
Lost Boys
Bruce Gordon Theatre – Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, 32 Burelli Street, Wollongong
Season: 25 May – 2 June 2018 (previews: 23 & 24 May)
Information and Bookings: www.merrigong.com.au
Image: Merrigong Theatre Company presents Lost Boys – photo by Zakarij Kaczmarek