After a critically acclaimed season in Brisbane, Ad Astra Theatre Company will present Michael Gow’s Toy Symphony at the recently opened The Loading Dock Theatre – Qtopia Sydney this April.
Roland Henning has writer’s block. As he embarks on a voyage of self-reflection in the hope of finding himself again, glimpses of his troubled past begin to arise, and he is forced to face his bullying, self-gratifying and narcissistic past.
Uncomfortable, disconcerting and hilarious, Toy Symphony plunges deep into the dizzying circus of life and art as Roland summons historical figures to battle the constrictive forces of his childhood and the looming adults that desperately try to suppress his imagination and hinder Roland from becoming the man he was always meant to be.
Michael Gow’s multi-award winning play is a wrestle between the vicious bastardry of being an artist and the sheer exhilaration of the creative act itself.
Directed by Michelle Carey, Toy Symphony features Gregory Wilken as Roland Henning, who is joined by Wendi Lanham, Felix Jarvis, Bernadette Pryde, Sam Webb, John Michael Narres, Chantal Elyse and Adam Dakin.
“It is truly an honour to be the very first production in this historic and poignant venue that has been granted a new life to honour and celebrate everything about Australia’s LGBTQIA+ community,” said Gregory Wilken.
Michael Gow was the artistic director of Queensland Theatre company from 1999 – 2010 and he had not written a full-length play while fully engaged in this role. In 2007, his play Toy Symphony received its world premiere production at Sydney’s Belvoir St Theatre. It was a critical and popular success.
Toy Symphony was awarded Best New Australian Work at the 2008 Helpmann Awards, and the production was also nominated for Best Play. The production also won four Sydney Theatre Awards including Best Mainstage Production.
“Leaves the audience feeling both pleasantly satisfied and craving more” – Theatre Travels
Director: Michelle Carey | Featuring: Adam Dakin, Chantal Elyse, Felix Jarvis, Wendi Lanham, John Michael Narres, Bernadette Pryde, Sam Webb, Gregory Wilken | Composer: Tommi Civili | Associate Producer and Social Media Manager: Molly Walker | Associate Producer and Tech: Tom Pocilujko | Associate Producer and Stage Manager: Madelyne Leite | Producer: Gregory Wilken
TOY SYMPHONY
Loading Dock Theatre – Qtopia Sydney, 301 Forbes Street, Darlinghurst
Season: 18 – 27 April 2024
Bookings: www.humanitix.com
For more information, visit: www.adastracreativity.com for details.
Image: Gregory Wilken stars as Roland Henning in Toy Symphony (supplied)