In A Forest, Dark and Deep
Play Details
Australian Premiere of Neil LaBute’s
In A Forest, Dark and Deep
Directed by Denis Moore.
Original season - October / November 2012
Return season - November / December 2013
Directed by Denis Moore.
Lighting Design – Nick Merrylees.
Lighting Operations- Adam J Marsh
Cast
Chris Connelly-Bobby
Michele Williams-Betty
A brother and sister meet in a forest cabin which she wants to clean out from a previous occupant. During a long, stormy night they surface long-held resentments and reveal secrets that shaped their lives.
Review Samples
“Sustaining a full length play that’s also a two hander requires dextrous dialogue and superior performances. That’s what you get at Winterfall Theatre’s production of the new Neil LaBute play, which premiered in London last year.
Chris Connelly gives a bravura performance: easy-going and boyish one moment, a frightening tower of masculine rage the next.
Michele Williams Betty is accomplished too… a strong performance of a hot new play that engages from beginning to end.”
Cameron Woodhead, The Age 31st October 2012
“Playwright Neil LaBute explores interesting ideas: a relationship between siblings is not often portrayed in this way on stage.
The performances are accomplished, from both Michele Williams (Betty) and particularly Chris Connelly (Bobby).
Michele Williams cleverly hints at her character’s lack of integrity and honesty well before this is displayed. Chris Connelly is nicely understated and turns this weaker character into a truly believable man. Their dialogue delivery is polished.
Winterfall is providing a welcome, professional and finely produced theatre company to Melbourne."
Peter Gotting, Stage Whispers November 2nd 2013.
“Chris Connelly, (last seen on stage at the MTC in Happy Ending.) and Michele Williams are superb in this text-heavy, emotionally fraught drama. Their work is compelling and edgy. The dialogue is excellent.
This is another gem from Winterfall Theatre. Another satisfying and intelligent production with the outstanding performances typical of the company."
Australian Stage October 29th, 2012
"It's kind of gruelling and gripping and very well directed by Denis Moore.”
Sian Prior, ABC Radio, October 27th, 2012
“In A Forest, Dark and Deep is an exciting new play by Neil LaBute, one of America’s most exciting modern playwrights.
Winterfall Theatre is playing host to the to the Australian Premiere of In A Forest, Dark and Deep by American playwright, Neil LaBute.
Denis Moore has directed an outstanding production, with atmospheric lighting by Nick Merrylees.
Chris Connelly gives a stunning, nuanced performance as Bobby. A deeply misogynistic male, he is an inferno of rage, invoking all our distaste for these types of men. Connelly has all of this but offers so much more. We see Bobby’s sadness, regret, and ultimately, his love for his sister.
Michele Williams in the role of Betty, creates a thoroughly believable characterisation, maintaining interest in her dark secret right up until the end of the play.
it is the relationship between these two actors, that makes for riveting theatre.”
Theatre People, November 4th, 2013
“In A Forest ….of a hot new play that engages from beginning to end,”
Cameron Woodhead, The Age
“It’s a very good production and Denis Moore has directed what is a long and sometimes torturous journey to many a tragic discovery, without loss of momentum or interest.
Chris Connelly and Michele Williams share great chemistry and expert acting skills that keep the sparks flying…”
Peter Green 3MBS November 8th, 2013
“Winterfall Theatre is presenting the Australian Premiere of In A Forest, Dark and Deep by well-known American playwright, Neil LaBute.
Denis Moore’s taut direction creates a fascinating look at the dark side of humanity, where, despite Betty’s refinement and education and her brother Bobby’s vulgarity, she is nevertheless the more sinister of the siblings.
Chris Connelly and Michele Willams are gifted, experienced actors who make an entirely convincing pair as brother and sister."
Curtain Call, November 3. 2013
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