QUITE DRUNK, VERY JESUS-Y

by Grace de Morgan

directed by Peter Blackburn

“It’s unusual to find a Fringe show that is a full-length…and well-made play with an appealing and talented cast of five and directed by a fully professional and accomplished director…Quite Drunk, Very Jesus-y is the best work so far from North of Eight.” - Stage Whispers

“The production is a collaboration of two 'forces of nature' - independent theatre companies Key Conspirators and North of Eight harnessing a wide breadth of acting and production talent very evident in Quite Drunk, Very Jesus-y” - Weekend Notes

For our 2019 season, North of Eight is thrilled to announce that we are doing a co-production with our friends at Key Conspirators. We will be presenting the world premiere of Quite Drunk, Very Jesus-y by Grace de Morgan, directed by Peter Blackburn, at Melbourne Fringe Festival.

SEPTEMBER 12 - 22 | 6:15pm

(5:15pm Sundays. No Monday shows)

New Council Chambers, Trades Hall

“Do you think you can still be friends with someone if you don't agree with their politics?”

“Of course you can. Just don't talk about politics.“

Four old friends from youth group. Four very different faith journeys. One snug log cabin. ‘Quite Drunk, Very Jesus-y’ is a new play exploring how teenage faith plays out in adult life and what the logical breaking point of any childhood friendship should be. A darkly comic drama that explores the wide political spectrum of faith and love, and how conflicting paradigms can affect friendships. ‘Quite Drunk, Very Jesus-y’ is not a story about right or wrong; it’s about caring for the people you disagree with, knowing when to stand up for your values and when to reconsider your position. Set against the backdrop of the marriage plebiscite ‘Quite Drunk, Very Jesus-y’ is for anyone that’s ever disagreed with a friend or kept a secret from one. It’s a story about gay rights, women’s rights, faith and mental health - best enjoyed with a (large) glass of Shiraz.

Developed as part of The Wheeler Centre Hot Desk Fellowship, 'Quite Drunk, Very Jesus-y' won Highly Commended at the Rodney Seaborn Award 2017.

Creatives

Directed by Peter Blackburn

Assistant Directed by Jessica Martin

Performed by Siobhan Connors, Pat Moonie, Vivian Nguyen, Jessica Stanley & Gideon Wilonja

Produced by Emma Choy & Siobhan Connors, assisted by Anthea Greco

Set and Costume Design by Helen Rofe, assisted by Pat Moonie

Lighting Design by Shane Grant

Sound Design by Justin Gardam

Stage Managed by Mazz Ryan

Marketing by Cathy Smith, Phil Evans & Faran Martin

Images by Jack Dixon-Gunn

Graphic design by Liv Godfrey

Special thanks to Auspicious Arts Projects & The Wood Samaritan, Brunswick East.

Introducing

S E A S O N 2 0 1 8 :

G E N E R A T I O N

STRATA INC.

created by Laura Lethlean & Faran Martin

N O V E M B E R 2 0 - D E C E M B E R 8

Download the Strata INC program here

Commissioned by North of Eight

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Frank Strata, successful investment tycoon, is dead. Suddenly his son Andrew is set to inherit Strata inc. and all the perks that come with it: whisky, stunning views, the corporate tracksuit... But before the ink dries, the previously impenetrable CEO’s office is taken captive by a caped crusader. Enter Lysa, the other Strata heir, and she is not leaving until her father's legacy is unapologetically obliterated, whatever the cost. Fire fights fire in this brazen, funny and unflinching war against entitlement.

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"North of Eight continue to produce mature, thought-provoking and heartfelt stories that captivate and introduce audiences to profound writing" – BCause Arts.

Starring Siobhan Connors, Jordan Fraser-Trumble, Jessica Martin, Pat Moonie, Mark Salvestro, Jessica Stanley & Phoebe Anne Taylor.

Producer Mark Salvestro
Assistant Producer Cathy Smith
Dramaturge Keziah Warner
Stage Manager James Cerche
Lighting Designer Lachlan McLean
Set Designer Carmody Nicol
Sound Designer Steve Carnell
Marketing Anthea Greco & Phoebe Taylor
Photography Sarah Clarke

"A strong start to North of Eight’s inaugural season delivering on their dedication to “the disciplined craft of storytelling” - Stage Whispers (on NoE's Terminus, 2017).

Thank you to everyone who came along to support P H I L T R U M.

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‘You probably think we’re a bunch of barbarians...’

North of Eight is proud to present the World Premiere of a new Australian work by one of our Founding Members, Anthea Greco.

When a salt of the Earth family is reunited with its favourite member, love, joy and backhanded insults abound. Blink and you’ll miss the moment that through the chaos, the finger is lifted from the Philtrum.

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Written by Anthea Greco

Directed by Peter Blackburn

With James Cerche, Emma Choy, Louis Corbett, Stephen Francis, Anthea Greco,

Faran Martin, Jessica Martin, Tasha Sanders & Annie Stanford.

SEASON 2017: QUESTIONS

Navy Pier by John Corwin

“Corwin is a playwright of profound insight and rapturous word-play.”—Chicago Sun-Times

Navy Pier

15 August – 2 September, 2017

The Courthouse Hotel, North Melbourne

“Well. He had beaten me again. Shit. And I…”

When you steal somebody else’s life, what happens when you have to give it back?

Martin and Kurt are old college friends and aspiring writers. They share youthful inspiration, ideals and ambition until Kurt, the superior talent, gets a break with the publication of one of his stories in the New Yorker. Soon Kurt is heading for the big city lights and success, taking with him Martin’s girlfriend into the bargain.

‘North of Eight elegantly captures the dynamic and intricate weaving story elements resounding throughout Corwin’s brilliant writing’ – BCause Arts.

North of Eight presents this contemporary tale of literary and romantic betrayal, confronting the painful and poignant journey of finding your own voice.

“Because were I a stronger man…if I could have only once…”

Directed by Phoebe Anne Taylor | Produced by Dean Worthington | Starring Siobhan Connors, Patrick Moonie, Mark Salvestro and Jessica Stanley.

“An intellectual thriller…utterly compelling” – The Guardian

The Team

Pat Moonie as ‘Kurt’. Image by Sarah Clarke Photography.

Siobhan Connors as ‘Liv’. Image by Sarah Clarke Photography.

Mark Salvestro as ‘Martin’. Image by Sarah Clarke Photography.

Production stills by Sarah Clarke Photography

Toyer by Gardner McKay

‘Superb. Riveting, breathtaking – most exciting drama of the year’ – L.A. Herald Examiner.

Toyer

By Gardner McKay

Australian Premiere

26 April – 13 May, 2017

The Courthouse Hotel, North Melbourne

Running Time: 110 minutes including interval

“Why does anyone want to do that to anyone?”

Maude Christopher has devoted her life to changing peoples’ minds. A lauded clinical psychiatrist, she is logical, precise, highly intelligent. But these are human qualities, and can just as easily be found in one who would use them not to heal, but to destroy.

North of Eight dives into the dark and twisted world of deliberate, sickening acts of crime. We are led to question our own ability to hurt, to kill, to change forever the life of another.

‘One of the most thrilling, dark and twisted productions to date’ – Milk Bar Mag.

In his own words, the author describes this play as, among other things, “about our vast ability to manipulate one another…it is about our awful power of charisma.”

Gardner McKay’s thrilling, deceptive and surprising play will have you hooked from the first uncertainty to the last.

“After all I’ve done, wouldn’t it be weird if I wasn’t insane?”

‘The audience is seduced into a perfect nightmare of powerful psychological manipulation’ – Weekend Notes.

Read reviews of ‘Toyer’ here.

THE TEAM

Guest Director Shane Connor

Assistant Stage Managed by Jaklene Vukasinovic

Set Construction by Tony Bradshaw

Lighting Design by Reuben Stone

Marketing & Publicity by Sarah Clarke and Mark Salvestro

Production stills by Arun Munoz Photography

Terminus by Mark O’Rowe

'...a feat of storytelling...brilliant' - The Guardian

Terminus

By Mark O’Rowe

21 February – 11 March 2017

The Courthouse Hotel, North Melbourne.

‘Each of us broods on the looming termination of our barely blooming relationship.’

Three people, seemingly disconnected, are ripped from their daily lives and thrust head-on into an evening of pandemonium. In a series of monologues, we follow three individuals through a landscape of words on a journey from reality to the fantastical.

Opening North of Eight’s inaugural 2017 season is Mark O’Rowe’s clever piece of rhyme and rhythm bubbling off the page.

Winner of the prestigious Scotsman Fringe First Award at the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

“Gripping, grotesque and deliriously good.” – Sunday Tribune

“Hilarious, stunning, surprisingly touching and enormously satisfying… a fantastic piece of writing.” – Irish Times

‘Like kids on a dare, we head who the hell knows where?’