Heart Lines: A New Play by Kerry Bowden

Heart Lines: A New Play by Kerry Bowden

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Posted 2015-11-03 by Shelley Macfollow

Fri 22 Jan 2016 - Sun 21 Feb 2016

As medical science stretches our capacity to sustain life, new questions are created. As one person's life ends, we can now transplant a heart, giving another the opportunity to have a second chance at living. But what is a heart?

Kerry Bowden's sensitive and thought provoking play Heart Lines invites the audience to question, is there more to a heart than a pump that pushes blood around our vital organs? This contemporary play suggests that the heart may carry the essence of who we are and our inherent traits. If this is so then, if the heart is transplanted, does it take pieces of you with it?



Written and directed by local Fremantle playwright, Kerry Bowden, Heart Lines was presented at the Fremantle Festival 2015. The play will also be performed at the 2016 Fringe World Festival .

It is brilliantly written and was performed by an outstandingly talented cast of young Perth actors.

The Story
Heart Lines tells the story of 23 year old Noah, who wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the heart transplant he received four years ago. We follow Noah's journey as he makes a video telling his story, in an attempt to express his gratitude to the family of his heart donor. Noah reflects on his losses and fears as he deteriorated and faced a life threatening illness. He expresses his gratitude to his family and friends who loved and supported him and with insight and compassion Noah recognises the heartache of the family and donor who lost so much for his gain.

In a series of flashbacks we observe the life of Noah's heart donor and see his personality, interests and passions. Noah reflects ever since he received his new heart, he hasn't quite been who he was before. He has developed new interests and different perspectives which may be just the effects of a near death experience or something held deeply within the new heart beating within him.

The Playwright/Director
Kerry Bowden says "I have always been interested in writing stories which explore the interconnectedness that exists between one person and another and the way in which characters reveal their shared humanity on stage. I wanted Heart Lines, to be tender and tough, simultaneously exploring both loss and joy; despair and hope. As a director, I have been blessed with a very talented cast who have each brought great emotionality and humour to their character and helped to sculpt the narrative into a life-affirming story.''



The Cast
The six young Perth actors were outstanding in their talented and sensitive portrayal of carefree youth who were embracing life and enjoying their passions and interests, only to have their innocence shattered as they encountered loss and despair when faced with the cruelty of a life threatening illness and death.

Brodie Masini was sensational as he played Noah. Brodie shared Noah's journey from loss and despair in the face of death, to hope, joy and gratitude for his life, opportunity and people. This brilliant actor moved the audience through a range of emotions as he told his story with reflective contemplation interspersed with humour and youthful irreverence.

The audience fell in love with the lively and joyful character of the heart donor, James, who was portrayed by the talented Nick Stevenson. Tristan Gorey masterfully contrasted humour with empathy and compassion as he portrayed the character of Noah's best friend Pete and Blake Richardson skilfully played Jacob who was a multifaceted and complex character struggling with the choices he made and the consequences of his behaviour.

James' housemates in the play, Tim and Anna, were superbly played by Tyler Lindsay-Smith and Jesse McGinn. The audience were captivated with these fabulous actor's characters who exuded youthfulness, humour, tenderness, anguish and compassion in their friendship with James and each other.

The magnificence of this beautiful and at the same time achingly sad story was sealed by the brilliant acting of the extremely talented cast. If you get a chance to see Heart Lines, I would highly recommend it.

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!date 22/01/2016 -- 21/02/2016
%wnperth
180324 - 2023-06-15 23:33:39

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