Drama graduates test theatrical boundaries

Of all the productions on show at the 2009 Brisbane Festival, only one suggests that the less you know about it, the better.

The work in question is simply called There, and it’s courtesy of Elbow Room, a production company comprised of four UQ drama graduates.

Producer and UQ research assistant Neal Harvey said surprise was key to the show’s success, with word spreading quickly during previous seasons in Melbourne and Adelaide.

“The word of mouth that’s followed the show from Melbourne to Adelaide and now to Brisbane has been a far more effective marketing tool than any blurb or PR campaign that we might have been able to conceive of,” Mr Harvey said.

“It’s a really fun show that details the birth, life and death of theatre in an intimate and entertaining setting.”

There features performers Angus Grant and Emily Tomlins, who along with Mr Harvey and Brisbane playwright and director Marcel Dorney make up Elbow Room.

The group decided to band together in 2007 so they could approach theatre from a particular angle and collaborate on a variety of projects in the long term.

“Our time at UQ was incredibly formative for all of us,” Mr Harvey said.

“The time we spent at the Avalon theatre, learning, not only about producing performances, but the theoretical and historical underpinnings of theatre as an art form are an important part of how we approach our work now.”

He said the group had fond memories of collaborating with other students and staff, many of whom have since made their own impact on the Australian arts scene.

“Many of our peers from that time are now working in a variety of positions throughout the industry and it’s great to see so many UQ graduates having a measurable impact on arts practices in Australia.”

There appears at the Brisbane Powerhouse from September 15-19.

Media: Mr Harvey (n.harvey@uq.edu.au) or Cameron Pegg at UQ Communications (07 3365 2049, c.pegg@uq.edu.au)