NORPA is thrilled to announce that Australian theatre icon, Max Gillies, is well and ready to return to the stage with actors Samuel Johnson (The Secret Life of Us) and Michala Banas (Upper Middle Bogan) for two performances of The Haunting of Daniel Gartrell at NORPA Lismore City Hall.
Max’s sudden illness and hospitalisation meant the Lismore shows and the August regional tour had to be put on hold.
‘We’re just so happy that Max is well and able to come to NORPA with this play,’ said NORPA Artistic Director Julian Louis. ‘The Haunting of Daniel Gartrell is a highlight production in our 2013 season. I’m a huge fan of Reg Cribb. I believe he is one of Australia’s best playwrights. He always takes on the big subjects. This play is a dark, thrilling and sometimes hilarious look at the Australian psyche. And who better to explore that than Max Gillies, Samuel Johnson and Michala Banas?’
The Haunting of Daniel Gartrell tells the story of a celebrated bush poet (Max Gillies) whose reclusive life with his daughter (Michala Banas) implodes with the arrival of a young actor (Samuel Johnson), who has been cast to play Gartrell in a biographical movie of the poet’s life.
Ambitious and optimistic in his research for the role, the young actor is ready for anything… or so he thinks.
Gartrell leads him on a merry chase, evading enquiries and playing unhinged mind games. The Haunting Of Daniel Gartrell is a humorous, thought-provoking and quintessentially Australian story that presents a different journey from the one you imagined.
Actor Samuel Johnson is certainly fighting fit – he is currently unicycling around Australia raising funds for breast cancer research and the organisation Love Your Sister that he set up when his sister Connie was diagnosed with the disease.
Samuel is aiming to break the world record by unicycling 15,000 kilometres and raising $1 million in the process.
All his challenges and remarkable encounters can be found at the website www.loveyoursister.org. After the matinee performance of The Haunting of Daniel Gartrell, Samuel will join the audience in the foyer to chat about Love Your Sister and his adventures.
Echonetdaily and NORPA are pleased to have a double pass to give away for the 3pm matinee performance – simply email: [email protected] with the answer to the question: who is being haunted at NORPA. Competition closes noon Friday.
See this wonderful show on Saturday October 19 at 3pm and 7.30pm (live music and light meals from 6pm), NORPA at Lismore City Hall.
Tickets – Adult $47 | Senior $42 | Concession $38 | U-18 $20
Patron advice: Contemporary language and partial nudity
Bookings – 1300 066 772 or www.norpa.org.au
Find this and many other great events in Echonetdaily’s North Coast Gig Guide.
