Dead Centre/Sea Wall

Co-presented by Red Stitch Actors and Red Line Productions, Dead Centre/Sea Wall consists of two companion monologues – Sea Wall by acclaimed British playwright Simon Stephens and Dead Centre by equally renowned Australian playwright Tom Holloway. The latter was commissioned to further explore themes of love, loss and grief. Director Julian Meyrick explained that Dead Centre provides “additional room to explore and tease out emotional and psychological implications” of the event that is central to both works.

“The two pieces have the same story, connected by the same events. It sort of starts at the end of the story and kind of ends in the middle. One central event is absolutely key to seeing and experiencing the play,” said Meyrick, adding that “to know ahead of time [what that event is] would take everything away, really.”

In Dead Centre, the central character, Englishwoman Helen (Rosie Lockhart), escapes her drab life to seek a fresh start in Australia. In Sea Wall, Irishman Alex (Ben Prendergast) shares his story of joy and sorrow. “It’s a double perspective, quite delicate and interesting,” explained Meyrick. “Running through both is a cultural instability that points out the meaning of the plays and stories overall.”

Meyrick was attracted to direct the plays because he admires the playwrights and wanted to work with a company like Red Stitch. “Both are fine pieces of work,” he said. “The energy of Red Stich in all its originality and inventiveness is a great thing to see.” (OA)

Oct 20–Nov 14. Tues-Sat 7.30pm, Sun 5pm. Old Fitzroy Theatre, 129 Dowling Street (Cnr Cathedral Street), Woolloomooloo. $30-$35 ($25 Cheap Tuesdays). Tickets & info: oldfitztheatre.com