"POLITICAL THEATRE AT ITS ELECTRIFYING BEST"

CAMERON WOODHEAD | THE AGE

Touring 22 May – 21 June 2024 to La Mama Theatre, Bunjil Place and Bowery Theatre.  

La Mama Courthouse | Carlton 22 MAY – 2 JUNE

>> BOOK HERE

Bunjil Place | Narre Warren 6 JUNE 

>> BOOK HERE

The Bowery Theatre | St Albans 21 JUNE

>> BOOK HERE

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The stage is a country in itself.

With its own rules and regulations.

Or lack of them.

The Audition peels back the layers of the audition process to uncover what it means to seek asylum. The asylum seeker shares something in common with the artist in Australia. They are both outsiders of uncertain status.

The Audition is inspired by two artists, Milad Norouzi and Sahra Davoudi who were also asylum seekers while developing and creating the work. As creators and performers they imbue the show with a tension and truth that is palpable, poetic and at times absurd.

Director, Concept and Dramaturg Irine Vela

Associate Director Tariro Mavondo

Writers Christos Tsiolkas, Melissa Reeves, Milad Norouzi, Patricia Cornelius, Sahra Davoudi, Tes Lyssiotis and Wahibe Moussa

Cast  Evangelos Arabatzis, Mary Sitarenos, Milad Norouzi, Peter Paltos (2019) and Sahra Davoudi

Musician Vahideh Eisaei

Dramaturg Maryanne Lynch

Lighting Design Gina Gascoigne

Design Adrienne Chisholm

Photos Darren Gill and Miguel Rios

SHOW TITLES

The Doll | Patricia Cornelius
Woomera Detention Centre | Tes Lyssiotis
Seven Days | Sahra Davoudi
The Audition | Christos Tsiolkas
You Made Us a Promise What You Told Us Today Would Be True | Melissa Reeves
Beautiful Jail | Milad Norouzi
I Can Be Her | Wahibe Moussa

Kanun music and improvisations based on Iranian classical music modes | Vahideh Eisaei

Song ‘Goodbye’ |  Milad Norouzi

Musical Direction | Irine Vela

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The Audition is published as part of ‘Staging Asylum, Again’ by Currency Press. 

To purchase the book click >here<

For all school bookings please contact Education Consultant, Claire Wearne

e_ claire[at]outerurbanprojects.org

m_ [zero four] 24 602 454

For more information to read through The Education Literature, Dram and Theatre Studies flyers click >here<

The Audition has been developed and presented with support from the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts funding and advisory body, the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, Besen Family Foundation, Brian M. Davis Charitable Foundation, Brimbank City Council (The Bowery), City of Casey (Bunjil Place), City of Melbourne, Merri-bek City Council, Inner North Community Foundation, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, La Mama Theatre, and Outer Urban Projects school and community partners.

Reviews:

“Irine Vela seamlessly directs The Audition to create electrifying theatre… the work shimmers, mirage-like, between asylum seekers claiming protection and actors preparing to audition, with cognate politics and piercing resonance.”

★★★★½

-CAMERON WOODHEAD | THE AGE

“The humour is double edged, the emotions piercing. This is political theatre that rises far above...”

“Ms Davoudi... proves herself a quite astonishing talent: her pointed comic timing combines with an ability to convey depths of pain – to which her interlocutors are oblivious. And she is one of the writers here too.”

-MICHAEL BRINDLEY | STAGE WHISPERS

“The Audition is unforgettable. Actors, asylum seekers and immigrants remind us of perpetual expectations... Outstanding newcomer Milad Norouzi’s inspirational work Beautiful Jail is moving.”

★★★★★

-LYN ZELEN | THEATRE PEOPLE

"Visually striking theatre making where meaning is portrayed beyond words."

-NINA ROSSINI | BOARD MEMBER DRAMA AUSTRALIA

"Meticulous direction."

★★★★

-ROBINA BAMFORTH | BE MELBOURNE
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