Every Brilliant Thing
Belvoir is reprising its hit from last year, with Steve Rodgers in the role he took over from Kate Mulvany when she dropped out to pursue an offer from Amazon Prime in the US.
Rodgers has surrendered his directorial role in this year’s production to Kate Champion, so we should see an interesting spin on his character, that of a child trying to deal with his mother’s mental illness by listing all the good things in life he can think of.
Rodgers says playwright Duncan Macmillan wanted to “tell a story about depression and suicide that is both personal and universal in the most hilarious, heartbreaking way and by doing so meet those issues head-on.”
Rodgers says “this is theatre at its most exciting. It’s pure storytelling, almost stand-up, there’s audience interaction, improvisation, and it’s full of tears and laughter. It’s unique.”
He says he “loves being involved in the discussion about the creation of the work as an actor, writer or co-directing,” but in this case, he emphasises, “I let Kate direct me. She’s the boss.”
Rodgers loves the reaction he gets in this production. “Audiences really dig it. It’s an amazing night! Like rock and roll!”
Jan 10-26. Belvoir Street Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills. $33-$89+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.belvoir.com.au
By Irina Dunn
