Alex Buzo’s 1969 play, Rooted, is given a revival by Phillip Rouse’s theatre company Don’t Look Away. Rouse’s admirable objective is to bring attention to “many wonderful Australian plays,” he says.
Rouse asserts that “we see the same plays over and over again”. Don’t Look Away intends to change that and Rooted will be the theatre company’s inaugural production.
Buzo has been “so ignored for a writer of his quality,” says Rouse.
Rooted deals with the malevolent side of humanity, in this case, focusing on “people in their early twenties. It’s incredibly relatable as people continue to behave in this underhanded and cruel way to each other – it fits life in 2013 seamlessly. The continuous social ladder climbing never gives way.”
The director hopes to attract young people into the theatre with Australian productions that have hitherto been ignored. Furthermore a campaign has been launched in which interested theatre aficionados can contribute from ten dollars and upwards to funding that will assist in making Rooted possible.
Rouse is determined to give exposure to young Sydney actors and bring a “youthful energy to a canon that is often not looked at by people with youthful energy.” (SC)
Nov 2-16, Parade Studio, NIDA, 215 Anzac Parade Kensington, $18-28, ticketek.com.au
www.pozible.com/project/33681
BY SAM CRASSWELLER
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