A BUTCHER OF DISTINCTION
James Dalton Director of A Butcher of Distinction, sees tragedy as inherent to life, he says we don’t often know our families and “often it takes these tragedies to know them.”
Recently orphaned twin brothers leave their rural life and enter the bleak metropolitan city of London. They seek refuge and answers in the basement of a pub, where their Father seems to have stowed the family’s secrets. Instead of uncovering what is lost, they find themselves trapped by a twisted grieving stranger.
Dalton was first attracted to writer Rob Hayes’ work as he is able to create a beautiful balance “you don’t always see on Australian stage.” For Dalton, Hayes captures the dark, threatening elements of life and “treats them with respect.”
This production is set to be a delicious mix of family drama, tragedy and black comedy as Dalton sees humour as the main focus, “strengthening the reality of the character and trying to find how they can live through these absurd moments.” After-all, he says, these moments “deliver the darkness inherent in all of us.” (ATS)
May 9-26, The Old 505 Theatre, 342 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills, $26.50, venue505.com
BY ALEXIS TALBOT-SMITH
