Opening on the 75th anniversary of the start of World War II, Cut Lunch Productions present Martin Sherman’s Bent at Theatre Works for a limited season from 3 September.
Set in Germany between 1934 and 1936, Bent takes place at a time of both pre-war decadence and horrific intolerance. The suffering of socialists, Jews and political figures at the hands of the Nazis is widely known. But the persecution of another group is relatively undocumented.
The Pink Triangles – the Nazi persecution of gays maybe be the backdrop to Bent, but at its heart, it is a love story — one that takes place in the most unlikely of settings.
At a time when all seemed lost, something beautiful was found. An unlikely love story filled with joy, terror… and a splash of cabaret. Amongst the turmoil, we are assured that even in the harshest of environments love will endure.
Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award, Bent has been lauded by the New York Times as ‘powerful and provocative’. But is has also courted controversy with its ‘suggestion that the gays suffered more than the Jews during the Holocaust’.
The uniqueness of the story line and the strength of its message about tolerance, love, and human dignity has drawn many stars to its cast including Ian McKellen, Richard Gere, Ralph Fiennes, Christopher Eccleston, Richard E Grant and Alan Cumming. A film version starring Mick Jagger, Jude Law, Ian McKellen and Clive Owen was produced in 1997.
Martin Sherman is an American dramatist and screenwriter best known for his 20 stage plays which have been produced in over 55 countries. His theatre works include Next Year in Jerusalem (1968), Messiah (1984), A Madhouse in Goa (1989), When She Danced (1990), Some Sunny Day (1996), A Passage to India (2004), Onassis (2010) and The Boy from Oz (American version). His screenplays include The Summer House (1993), Alive and Kicking (1997), Callas Forever (2002), The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone (2003) and Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005).
Director: Eddy Segal Cast: Christopher Brown, Paul Blenheim, Zak Zavod, Shane Nagle, Robert Van Mackelenberg, Benjamin Clegg Set / Costume Design: Mattea Davies Lighting Design: Lucy Birkinshaw Composition / Sound Design: Lore Burns Stage / Production Manager: Cameron Stewart Assistant Stage Manager: Chris Harnett Associate Producer: Danny Delahunty
Bent
Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St. Kilda
Season: 3 – 13 September 2014
Bookings: (03) 9534 3388 or online at: www.theatreworks.org.au
For more information, visit: www.benttheplay.com for details.
Image: photo by Ben Wolstencroft