What if someone you loved disappeared? Inspired by real life events, Lachlan Philpott’s powerful play Colder explores the complex situation of someone disappearing without a trace and the emotional impact on those left behind.
A young boy is separated from his mother and goes missing in Disneyland. Adrift in the artificial world of giant mice and noisy parades, nobody can account for what happened in the seven frantic hours before he’s found. Years later his life seems normal, but something about that day haunts him; something remains unresolved.
And then, he disappears again… How is he really? They ask across the dinner table. How is David, really? What do you mean how is he really? He’s fine. He’s a thirty three year old man and he’s…
Alyson Campbell (4:48 Psychosis, The Day Room, Fewer Emergencies) returns to Red Stitch to direct the Victorian premiere of Colder, and features Red Stitch ensemble members Justin Hosking and Caroline Lee, alongside guest actors Marissa Bennett, Brigid Gallacher, Ben Pfeiffer and Charles Purcell.
Lachlan Philpott is a theatre writer, director and teacher. His first play Bison had sell out seasons in Adelaide, Belfast, London, Melbourne and Sydney. Other plays include Catapult, Due Monday, Silent Disco, Truck Stop, M. Rock, The Trouble with Harry and Little Emperors.
Lachlan and Alyson are proudly queer theatre artists who have worked together since 2000 under the banner wreckedAllprods. Alyson’s production of Philpott’s The Trouble with Harry (Melbourne International Festival, 2014) won two Green Room Awards.
Alyson directed sell-out seasons of Lachlan’s first play Bison in Belfast, London and Melbourne, and their other work includes Catapult, GL RY [Belfast], and upcoming works Cake Daddy [Belfast] and XXXisle [National Theatre of Croatia].
Awarded the R.E. Ross Trust Award and was shortlisted for the 2007 Griffin Award for new Australian drama, Colder premiered at the SWB Stables Theatre in May 2008 as part of Griffin Theatre Company’s Stablemates. It was also performed as part of La Boite Theatre Company’s 2011 Indie Season.
Director: Alyson Campbell Featuring: Marissa Bennett, Brigid Gallacher, Caroline Lee, Ben Pfeiffer, Charles Purcell, James Wardlaw Set & Costume Design: Bethany J Fellows Lighting Design: Bronwyn Pringle Sound Design: Chris Wenn Assistant Director: Sarah Vickery Stage Manager: Brittany Coombs Assistant Stage Manager: Thomas Crawford
Colder
Red Stitch Actors Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel Street, St Kilda
Season: 17 March – 8 April 2018
Information and Bookings: www.redstitch.net
Image: (l-r) Marissa Bennett, Ben Pfeiffer, Charles Purcell, Caroline Lee, Brigid Gallagher and Justin Hosking feature in Colder – photo by Rob Blackburn, Black Photography