Following The Black Sheep at Playlovers Theatre

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Fri 11 Sep 2015 - Sun 13 Sep 2015

The inner workings of a family just after the end of World War II are explored in Playlovers' latest offering, Following The Black Sheep, making its debut in September.

Written by Perth playwright Yvette Wall and directed by Campbell Greenock, the play is set in 1946 and focuses on Jack who, haunted by his past, returns home from the war to stay with his sister Shirley and her family. Tensions rise when Shirley's headstrong daughter Frances has to make an important decision about her future and Jack forms an affinity with her."The war has had a great affect on all the characters and we particularly get to see how one man has been forever changed by what he has gone through," Campbell said. "It is also a story about being true to yourself because the teenage daughter has to choose between her mother's wishes and her own."

Yvette adds: "A friend told me a story about her uncle, a pacifist, who was an army stretcher bearer in Bougainville during World War II – it was very touching. I developed the rest of the story fictitiously from there. I admire and am inspired by those who remain true to themselves under trying circumstances."


Acting for the past three years, Campbell has performed with the WA Youth Theatre Company in productions such as MINE and The Dreaming Hill and has also recently become a board member. Following The Black Sheep is his first time as a director and says the main challenge is to quickly understand his own method of directing. "This includes knowing how to express my vision to the cast while also listening to their ideas and allowing them the opportunity to explore their own characters," Campbell said. "Working with some great actors has definitely helped in this regard – I have hit the jackpot with Sienna Freeman who is only 10 but takes direction easily and also has her own ideas about her character."The first time I read the play I knew there were many interesting character developments that would be fun the flesh out with the actors. Having been approached by the writer to direct the piece was a huge compliment and I have jumped at the opportunity to make this great script come to life."


Sienna plays Patty, Frances' younger sister. "She would prefer to climb trees and play outside than play with her dolls," the Year 5 Spring Hill Primary School student said. "You could describe her as a tomboy. Patty doesn't fit the stereotype of how a young girl in the 1940s should behave – instead of becoming a young lady, Patty wants to be like the American sharpshooter Annie Oakley much to her mum's disapproval."Being in a dramatic play and getting involved in a theatre production was something I had wanted to do for a while. Plus Patty's role is fun to play because she's a tomboy."One of the things I'm aware of while playing this role is to make the playwright Yvette Wall proud. She was telling me at our first meeting that Patty is based a bit on how she was as a child so I want her to be happy with how I act the part. "I'm the only child in the cast so I also want to learn as much as possible from the three other awesome actors that I'm super lucky to be on stage with."


Joining Following The Black Sheep is The Wardrobe, written by Sam Holcroft and commissioned as part of the 2014 National Theatre Connections Festival. Directed by Elisabeth and Kimberley Shaw, the play tells the stories of various young people who seek refuge or comfort in the same wardrobe between 1485 and 2015.

Following The Black Sheep and The Wardrobe play at 8pm September 11 and 12 with a 2pm matinee September 13. Tickets are $20, $15 concession – book on 0415 777 173, [email protected] or at www.playlovers.org.au .

Playlovers Theatre is located at Hackett Hall, Draper Street (off Underwood Avenue), Floreat.

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!date 11/09/2015 -- 13/09/2015
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