Queensland Theatre's newest productions is stunning
audiences with its powerhouse story full of all things footy, bringing community
spirit, thrilling energy and intense physicality to the stage in 37, playing at
the Bille Brown Theatre until 4 May.
Penned by twice-named Tasmanian
Aboriginal Artist of the Year, Nathan Maynard, and directed by renowned
Australian director and proud Noongar man, Isaac Drandic, the co-production
with Melbourne Theatre Company brings together an ensemble of 10 men to portray
a local footy team’s struggle from the bottom of the ladder.
Named after the immortalised
number Adam Goodes wore on his AFL jersey and set within the era of his famous
war-cry, 37 follows the fictional Cutting Cove Currawongs in their fight for
premiership glory, which playwright Nathan Maynard described as a story many
can relate to.
“I won’t go into the themes I
touch on in the work because that’s why I wrote the play, for both the audience
and I to explore them through a creative lens. But for me, the footy in this
play is the vehicle that carries the story and conversation,” Maynard said.
“It’s a play about footy that’s
also nothing about footy.”
Despite the deep themes Maynard
covers within the play, the talented ensemble tackles the heaviness with
humour, energy, and a whole lot of heart, through the vessels of sportsmanship,
authenticity, and integrity, producing a quality performance for both arts and
footy lovers.
The cast features breakout star
and 2024 recipient of AACTA Brian Walsh Award, Ngali Shaw alongside Tibian
Wyles (Black Comedy, Stomping Ground) who portray the two Marngrook cousins,
Jayma and Sonny, with teammates played by Australian on-screen actor, Ben
O’Toole (Boy Swallows Universe), Syd Brisbane (Victory, Night on Bald
Mountain), Mitchell Brotz (Batmania, True Story with Hamish and Andy), Samuel
Buckley (Hyde and Seek, Seduction), Costa D’Angelo (Neighbours, Crazy Fun
Park), Thomas Larkin (Death of a Salesman, Bernhardt/Hamlet), Eddie Orton
(Framed, Touching the Void) and Anthony Standish (City of Gold, Our Town)
“Our 10-strong cast stand against
a backdrop of real, raw footy giving the audience a highly physical and visceral
performance. Through carefully crafted choreographed sequences the game we love
comes alive on stage. It’s nuanced, it’s athletic and it’s beautiful. There’s a
strong camaraderie between the cast, off stage and on which adds to the
richness of the world of 37,” Drandic added.
“There’s a strong cultural layer
throughout 37. We draw inspiration for the movement and choreography from the
origins of AFL football — an Aboriginal game called Marngrook. We share some of
the more confronting aspects of Australian culture in our sports, and we invite
the audience into the changerooms of the Cutting Cove Footy Club.”
The production has hit Brisbane
audiences off the back of its world premiere at Melbourne’s Southbank Theatre,
which has included an array of four- and five-star reviews.
Tickets are
available now for performances at Queensland Theatre’s Bille Brown Theatre until 4 May at queenslandtheatre.com.au/plays/37.
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