In Waiting
Image: A still from The Dream Children, which is having its world premiere at the Melbourne Queer Film Festival.
Liviu Monsted’s fascination with death has culminated in a dark comedic play, In Waiting.
Estelle Avery finds herself in a waiting room with a cast of recently deceased characters who have unresolved issues, to be helped by a mysterious psychologist.
“I don’t think there’s a single day I haven’t thought about death,” says writer-director Liviu.
‘I’ve always been fascinated by depression and that sense of isolation and how we can connect with each other by talking about death. After all everyone dies, so it’s a real universal theme that I think’s overlooked from a psychological standpoint.”
Many of the initial cast members found some of the heavier themes in the script, such as domestic violence, suicide and abuse, too confronting to play. Liviu insists though that there is a “playfulness” in the production.
The “emotional and cathartic” writing process included three months of research into the psychology of death.
Each character represents one stage of grief.
Liviu says lead character Estelle, played by Katie Regan, is a close representation of himself.
“She has a morbid curiosity, she’s always thinking about death, she has a playfulness with it as well. A lot of the questions she asks, I’ve asked. And I give myself those answers in the form of Ignus the psychologist.”
Psychologist Ignus is played by actress Alison Benstead. Alison was kept separate from the cast until six weeks before opening night.
“It really created an awe and presence for Ignus the character.”
Oct 11-19. Blood Moon Theatre – World Bar, 24 Bayswater Rd, Potts Point. $32.74-$41.18+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.eventbrite.com.au
By Lanie Tindale
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