The Temperamental Artist at Phoenix Theatre
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Thu 28 May 2015 - Sat 06 Jun 2015
A classic cult movie from the late 1950s is being brought to life as a stage production this May and June. Presented by Dark Psychic Productions at Phoenix Theatre, the 1959 comedy horror film
A Bucket of Blood has been adapted for the stage by Mitch Brian as
The Temperamental Artist.
It follows Walter Paisley, a bus boy at a beatnik café, who dreams of being an artist. After accidentally killing his landlady's cat, he covers it with clay and passes it off as sculpture and suddenly finds himself an overnight success.
Walter feels the pressure to produce more work and, as the police close in and the murders escalate, he zeroes in on the girl he loves, determined to make her his wife – or next sculpture.
"The show has a
Sweeney Todd-
Little Shop Of Horrors feel with a film noir effect, which I'm calling stage noir," director Shaun Griffin said. "That may be something of a challenge for me, as well as the fact the script is set out for film rather than stage. This is also the first full-length show I've directed predominantly on my own, although I have an assistant director."
First performing with Rockingham Theatre as a 13-year-old, Shaun appeared in a variety of productions over seven years before spending six years with Kwinana Theatre. He first acted at Phoenix Theatre in
Pass The Butler and has performed in several shows in the past six years.
The Temperamental Artist appealed to Shaun because it's different to anything else he's seen or read. "The script is somewhat intricate but it's a lot of fun and the cast have been working very hard," he said.
Katrina Murphy plays Alice, a character she says has a high opinion of herself. "Alice has a not-so-subtle disdain for Walter," she said. "She sees him as a pathetic bus boy trying too hard to fit in with the group of artists that have made the Yellow Door Café their home. And she's not afraid to put him back into what she considers his place."The concept of doing a noir-style play really appealed to me. Shaun's vision is to re-create the style of
Sin City on stage for this black comedy. The play is set in a New York beatnik coffee house in the late '50s and that era has always had a strong appeal to me – I'm a huge fan of the music and literature that came out at the time. "I also loved the experience I had working with Dark Psychic Productions and Phoenix Theatre for
Cosi last year, so was looking forward to working with the team again."
The Temperamental Artist plays at 8pm May 28, 29, 30, June 4 and 5 with 2pm matinees May 31 and June 6. Tickets are $20, $18 concession plus transaction fees – book at www.phoenixtheatreinc.com.au or on 0422 394 749. Raffle and program sales go to the Autism Association of WA.
Please note: the show contains adult themes, stylised violence and haze and flashing lighting effects.
Phoenix Theatre is located at 435 Carrington Street, Hamilton Hill, within the Hamilton Hill Memorial Hall.
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!date 28/05/2015 -- 06/06/2015
%wnperth
117202 - 2023-06-12 19:45:37