A heartfelt comedy about skeletons in the closet and finding a place to call home, Fairly Lucid Productions presents the Australian premiere of Mark Crawford’s Bed & Breakfast at Chapel Off Chapel from 7 September 2022.
Bed and Breakfast is a theatrical tour de force as riotously funny as it is deeply moving. With more than a few unexpected and hilarious plot twists, we follow Brett and Drew over the course of one year – through the real estate rat race, renovation hell and encounters with small-town expectations.
Writer Mark Crawford – one of the most-produced playwrights in Canada – captures the beauty and humour of life in all its unfiltered glory. Mark drew on his own history of living and performing in both urban and rural communities as a basis for his play.
“I’m really interested … in all the different sides of this story – the great things and the wonderful opportunities that come with challenges,” he said. “The fact it’s so multifaceted makes it translate into such an incredible production.”
Bringing the Australian premiere of this play to life is director Tom Healey (American Song, Jumpers for Goalposts, The Shape of Things – Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre, Heisenberg – MTC).
Ben Noble (Playlist 21 – Red Stitch Actors Theatre, Wind in the Willows – Australian Shakespeare Company) and Alex Thew (Theatre Works) play Brett and Drew – a gay couple who move out of the city and open a bed and breakfast in a small town.
Aside from the lead roles, the Ben and Alex also play an additional 10 parts each. “It’s so exciting playing so many roles on stage. It’s not something you get to do often as an actor,” said Ben.
Ben is also Creative Producer of the work and wanted to produce Mark’s writing because it felt like a warm hug for the audience, after two difficult years for both theatre-lovers and the wider industry.
“The overarching themes of community and home are universal and touch everyone, and we can’t wait to see what parts of our show people will take home with them,” continued Ben.
“This play will make you reflect on someone in your family or friendship group, or maybe even yourself. We all have secrets, and ultimately this is about how we deal with them and how we find our own community as a result.”
“So much has changed throughout our country in terms of gay rights and acceptance, but attitudes and hatred still fester from the ground up, steeped in historical views.”
“This play is a joyous reminder of how far we have come and how far we still have to go as a welcoming, accepting community, illustrating that you can’t always judge a book by a cover” Ben added.
Mark Crawford is one of Canada’s most popular playwrights. His work has been produced across Canada and internationally.
He is the author of Stag and Doe; Bed and Breakfast; The Birds and the Bees; Boys, Girls, and Other Mythological Creatures; The New Canadian Curling Club; and a solo show, Chase the Ace, which premiered and toured in 2021.
Also an actor, Mark has performed at theatres from coast to coast, and is currently appearing in the Canadian premiere of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. He has been short-listed for the Tom Hendry Awards, the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, and nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award.
Mark grew up on his family’s beef farm, studied at University of Toronto and Sheridan College, and now lives with his partner in Stratford, Ontario.
Director: Tom Healey | Featuring: Ben Noble, Alex Thew | Set & Costumes: Sam Diamond | Lighting: Bronwyn Pringle | Stage Manager: Lee McClenaghan | Producer: Sarah Ranken
Bed & Breakfast
Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Season: 8 – 18 September 2022 (preview: 7 September)
Bookings: www.chapeloffchapel.com.au
For more information, visit: www.fairlylucidproductions.com for details.
Image: Alex Thew and Ben Noble star in Bed & Breakfast – photo by Cameron Grant, Parenthesy