While waiting for a Sydney train late one night, writer and director Liviu Monsted started observing the routines and lifestyles of the CBD’s homeless. This September his play Street, which is based around his experiences with Sydney’s homeless, will open at Chippen Street Theatre for four shows only. Telling the story of Miriam and Foster, two homeless characters who are seasoned in their harsh lifestyles on Sydney’s streets, Street brings to light a world that is often unseen and unheard.
Writer and director Liviu spoke with City Hub about his experiences in the lead-up to writing the play, saying: “If it wasn’t so creepy I probably would have just sat down and watched them every night but that in a sense is what I wanted to play out in the theatre – you sitting across the road from an event, and what happens in the middle of the night with homeless people.”
Liviu also expanded on society’s usual interactions with homeless people, that we see them from a distance and often choose not to get too close. He went on to say, “…for most of the play, the characters are right up against the back wall. Similar to when you observe them on the street.”
Despite the heavy themes and confronting plotline, Street wasn’t written by Liviu to push a message of morality or leave audiences feeling uncomfortable. The script is quite comedic and reflects the true lived experiences of people living on the streets of Sydney. Liviu finished by saying, “We’re not trying to force any kind of major idea onto you, we’re simply showing you the reality of a situation. You can take whatever you want out of it. We want you to create your own narrative from it, almost.”
10% of all ticket sales will be donated to Youth Off The Streets.
Sep 25-28, Chippen Street Theatre, 45 Chippen Street, Chippendale. $30-$33+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.sydneyfringe.com
By Madison Behringer
