Boy Out of the Country at Fortyfivedownstairs

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Thu 21 Nov 2013 - Sun 08 Dec 2013

Dr Felix Nobis is a multi-tasker if ever there was one. Before embarking on an academic career at the Centre for Theatre and Performance at Monash University, he worked as a professional actor both on stage and (small) screen. As a writer / performer,he has created two one-person shows which have toured Australia, Europe and America, and as a playwright he has had several works produced and held positions as Writer in Residence with the Q Theatre (1989), and Affiliate Writer with Melbourne Theatre Company (2008).


How he managed to find time to answer Weekend Notes' questions we'll never know. Here he shines a light on his latest creation Boy out of the Country, soon to debut at fortyfivedownstairs:

The script for Boy out of the Country has won a number of awards along the way to the premiere at fortyfivedownstairs on November 21. What was its gestation period?

The play emerged out of the MTC Affiliate Writers Program under Julian Meyrick. It is written in a kind of Australian vernacular verse and it took a long time to get the balance right in the dialogue. For a while it went 'on ice' while I followed up with other projects but when it won the R. E. Ross Script Development Award, it gave me the boost I needed to finish it.

How hard is it to get a play 'up' in Australian contemporary theatre?

Institutions like the R. E. Ross Trust make it easier, but to be honest it can be really quite hard. It is important though that playwrights forge ahead with work they believe in, and if you are going to do it, there are worse places than Melbourne!

There is an impressive cast in this production: Jane Clifton, Matt Dyktynski, Amanda LaBonte, Chris Bunsworth and Martin Blum. What role (if any) did you have in their selection?

Bunzy (Chris Bunworth) is a mate and has been involved in the project through the development. Matt and Martin auditioned on the same day and Fleur and I both knew they were right together as brothers. Amanda and Jane were right the moment they walked in the door!

**How does your teaching role at Monash University tie in with your 'trade' as actor and playwright?
**
The Centre for Theatre and Performance is very supportive of staff making work. I teach a Script Development unit and try to share the experience of putting on work with my students. Of course students enjoy it when staff are involved in productions, workshops, events and so on.

What is it about theatre and performance that is still compelling for you?

To be honest, I don't know if I could put it into a few words ... but there sure is something about it isn't there?!

I notice you have a dramaturg/e for Boy out of the Country. What role does the dramaturg/e have in your production? In contemporary theatre in general? How the heck do you spell it?

Haha. Julian Meyrick has been on board with the project since I started writing. He has helped craft the narrative of the play and helped me find the right 'world' for it. Dramaturgs take different roles in different productions and Julian's role was mostly in the crafting of the script. Often they are involved right through to the staging and involved in design. You've got the spelling right (even if spell-check doesn't want to accept it)

Where to from fortytfivedownstairs for Boy out of the Country?
A tour! Nothing would please me more than to see this particular play 'on the road' through Regional Victoria and beyond. I'd catch up with it from time to time and watch it in different towns. It'd be great!

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!date 21/11/2013 -- 08/12/2013
%wnmelbourne