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2018 – Stark. Dark. Albert Park.

STARK. DARK. ALBERT PARK.

14th – 22nd September
Gasworks Arts Park

STARK. DARK. ALBERT PARK. was our Melbourne Fringe production for 2018. It was presented in the Studio Theatre at Gasworks Arts Park – the publicity teaser ran as follows:

Five original stories infused with history, glamour, dogs, truth, and a dose of Vitamin B.
A man arrives on historic Sandridge beach with his piano and axe. On Middle Park beach, a labradoodle mysteriously vanishes. 
A Vegemite Girl ruminates on her cursed life; a bisexual protests her invisibility; Save Albert Park protests for justice; and Frank Thring protests against 50s conservatism on his flamboyant opening night of ‘Salome’. Five of Melbourne Writers’ Theatre’s sharpest writers went digging with their pens in Albert Park and the suburbs that touch it, and the result is this starkly observed and darkly humorous monologue showcase. Go on, put on your black cape and come and watch it.
* Created by: Clare Mendes   Directed by: Elizabeth Walley
* Penned and performed by: the Writers and Actors of MWT

Our writers and actors were:
Bruce Shearer      Darke’s Ark  (performed by Kyle Roberts)
Mazz Ryan            Teddy Bear  (performed by Mazz Ryan)
Clare Mendes       Invisible Petition   (performed by Emma Cox)
Russell Bywater   Happy Little …  (performed by Cosima Gilbert & Isabella Gilbert)
Alec Gilbert          The Thring Is …  (performed by Alec Gilbert)

Reviews:
http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/reviews/stark-dark-albert-park
http://www.whatdidshethink.com/2018/09/stark-dark-albert-park-theatre-review.html


Listen to the Writers talking about their work in these 1-minute videos:

Bruce Shearer                   ‘Darke’s Ark’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__npYywY39g

Mazz Ryan                           ‘Teddy Bear’
https://youtu.be/Hpz_M1SNgno

Clare Mendes                    ‘Invisible Petition’
https://youtu.be/fEngpkki3dY

Russell Bywater                ‘Happy Little …’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NhKMRLMzAg

Alec Gilbert                        ‘The Thring Is …’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzpiwyNCFwE

Photos by John Edwards

STARK. DARK. ALBERT PARK. was presented by Melbourne Writers’ Theatre for Melbourne Fringe 2018. MWT gratefully acknowledges the support of staff at Gasworks Arts Park throughout the process of bringing this show to life, and would also like to thank the Albert Park businesses and cafes who helped to promote the show – in particular The Guilty Moose and The Vincent. Support from the devoted members of the Middle Park History Group and the Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society must also be acknowledged. And of course, we’d like to thank the many, many patrons who came along to see Stark. Dark. Albert Park. We hoped you enjoyed our creative offering and look forward to showing you the next one.