Welcome to The Hartwell Players, Melbourne’s oldest community theatre company. The company began in 1938, and is still going strong. Read All About Hartwell to find out more about how it all started.
Season 2019
SEASON 1
LOVE/SICK
BY JOHN CARIANI
DIRECTED BY LAURA BRADLEY
APRIL 11th –14th
Sometimes love is messy in this romantic comedy where a unique cast of characters battle for love with heart-warming optimism. A darker cousin to “Almost, Maine”, John Cariani’s “Love/Sick” is a collection of nine slightly twisted and completely hilarious short plays. Set on a Friday night in an alternate suburban reality, this 80-minute romp explores the pain and the joy that comes with being in love. Full of imperfect lovers and dreamers, from a couple that’s obsessively impulsive, to a bride with literally cold feet, to a man who had a very… exciting lunch, to the couple who forgot to have a baby, “Love/Sick” is an unromantic comedy for the romantic in everyone.
For bookings call 0422 010 830 or book online here.
SEASON 2
A SEASON OF ONE ACT PLAYS
JULY 4th –14th
“The Frosted Glass Coffin” by Tennessee Williams
Directed by Paul Wanis.
Early one morning, three old men sit outside the Hotel Ponce de Leon watching the line form at the cafeteria across the street. They talk about the price hike, they talk about a woman in the hotel who died suddenly the night before, they gossip. Underneath the chit-chat is an overwhelming awareness of death. They are all close to death. Not that they are sick … but when you’re in your 70s and 80s, you know that you’ve gotta be close.
“Distance” by Daniel Nellor
Directed by Jennifer Bitè with assistance of Michelle Swann
In this two-handed drama, estranged couple, Ellen and Andrew are unexpectedly brought together to deal with a violent incident involving their teenage son and another young man. The play follows their emotional journey over a brief period coming to terms with their son’s actions and examines themes around relationships and responsibilities.
“After Kafka” by Angie Farrow
Directed by David Collins
Drawing on text, physical score and audio-visual material, After Kafka weaves together the dreams and hopes of the writer Franz Kafka and his characters into choreographic theatre.
For bookings call 0422 010 830 or book online here.
SEASON 3
CORIOLANUS
BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
DIRECTED BY TAM DAHMEN-O’NEILL
SEP 26th –6th OCT
When an old adversary threatens Rome, the city calls once more on her hero and defender Coriolanus. But he has enemies at home too. Famine threatens the city, the citizens’ hunger swell to an appetite for revolution, and on returning from the battlefield, Coriolanus must confront the arching conflict of tradition, ceremony and the voice of an angry people.
Shakespeare’s searing tragedy of political manipulation and revenge is put under the lens in this subversive interpretation.
For bookings call 0422 010 830 or book online here.