SYDNEY FRINGE: BEFORE & AFTER KNOCKOFF

Playwright James Pike describes Before and After Knockoff as, “His attempt to bring epic tragedy to the concrete trade and boasts a new dialect in his drama about business and family.” It’s the story of Vaughan, owner of a Central Tablelands concreting outfit, who sacks his son on the advice of an arselicking employee with violent results. James Pike is 22 years old and resides in the Central West. He has been mastering his craft since he lived in Sydney’s Cheltenham but travelled to White Rock NSW to undertake theatre training at Charles Sturt University’s theatre course. There he has had the ability to stage shows non-stop for three years. His first play Pendeo was produced by the American Academy of Dramatic Art in Los Angeles and the Edinburgh Fringe at age 18. Before and After Knockoff stops at the Sydney Fringe via New Theatre from Sep 14th on the back of a series of sold out 2009 shows. The show has aroused the interest of multiple Regional Arts organisation’s patronage and is exhibited as a collaboration of actors both emerging and seasoned. A male heavy cast of all ages presents the work in hope to advocate that the expanse of hard-hitting contemporary theatre spreads beyond the divide.

Sep 14-19, New Theatre, 542 King St, Newtown, $20-24, 9020 6960, beforeandafterknockoff.com

BY ANTONIA HAYES