Almost Face To Face is a well-paced one hour dramatic monologue written & performed by Stephen House. Observed and written in Dublin, Steven is both creator and subject. Throughout the gritty narrative of the piece, he scrabbles to take down random notes. Subsequently he has distilled these same notes into the very authentic, earnest and polished performance they are now part of.
Sandgate Town Hall was an appropriately intimate space for Almost Face to Face to be performed. The audience arced attentively round the Raconteur and his solitary chair draped with a jacket. Moments of complete darkness, lighting effects and intermittent grabs of music the only enhancements to the sparse set. Every gesture, every expression and every change of his eloquent voice seamlessly added more definition to the places and the range of characters he evoked.
We were all in the claustrophobic room papered with memories, two storeys above the Liffey. Like him we were fascinated by the tragic self imprisonment of his needy companion Miss Big and the mechanics of her sad existence. We sensed the shift from tenderness to depression and frustration. The growing oppressive tension and mounting guilt he felt about abandoning her. And the distinct sense of liberation and space once he did.
But that liberation also made him vulnerable to the vices he had been keeping at bay down on the street. With pathos Steven vividly propelled us with him on his escape to the seedy bars and bleak gatherings of those on the fringe, and yet in plain sight. His temperate resolve rapidly weakened as he swirled recklessly amongst the allure and fleeting elation of prostitutes, drunks, dealers, drug addicts and anonymous sex partners. The desperate desire for temporary hedonism wrestled with kindness and empathy.
His final escape was like a closing of Pandora's Box. The corner turned with a sigh of relief.
Away from the unresolved dense and intense world he had been inhabiting, with its tangled and tragic characters. The air cleared.
Almost Face to Face is an enriching experience. There is humour, and moving irony about human fragility, and at times explicit honesty. We are left to ponder the metaphors of the tale. Entrapment in it's many forms - physical locations, addictions, relationships and mental and emotional states. And the harder question, can any of us turn down the noise and face what we have become?
M.F
I'm looking forward to next year's programme with much pleasure, and hope that your practice of having Matinee performances will continue. Thanks for the productions I've been able to attend this year. I've found them enjoyable, thought-provoking and very well presented.
M.L
Thank you to the Elysium Theatre team at the absolutely gorgeous Sandgate Town Hall for hosting Eleanor's Story: An American Girl in Hitler's Germany for two performances. I felt so well taken care of. And thank you Liam for your phenomenal tech skills, I think this was a perfect start to the tour!
I.G
You guys are good eggs & it was nice to spend that time with that beautiful audience. Met a few of the ladies over at Cardigan Bar who were till raving about my dance skills. Might have to bring Swing Man here next. [my swing dancing show I'm touring next year].
Thanks again for looking after me.
D.C
Response by Associate Vice-Chancellor Queensland Professor Jim Nyland to Narratives of Hope and Elysium Theatre's recent production - WHO ARE WE? WE ARE.
University response to the ‘Anthropocene’ epoch
We are entering the 'Anthropocene ' (no longer a passive, stable and clement world) era...it is a fractious, chaotic and unpredictable world now. Migrancy and population movements are unsettling vast swathes the developed world, as well as many parts of the developing world and it is imperative that universities are not neutral ground in this unknown and dangerous world.
Responding to these momentous struggles is challenging for universities, let alone individuals committed to creating cultural capital and transmitting the best of what has been thought and said. One of the most notable ways in which staff at ACU Brisbane have sought to actively engage with some of these emergent big challenges has been through the successful ‘Narratives of Hope’ series. Special thanks goes to all those involved in this ground-breaking program – to Melanie Seal-Moradi, Keith Skelton, Dan Klar, Elyse Flavel, Nica Tsakmakis, Erin Dougherty, Jake Hardiman, Jane Scott, and Michael Sobek; and students Cian Cattelini and Imogen Johnson. Particular thanks goes to Janine Quine for her successful leadership of this amazing program (detailed below) despite it being put together on the smell of an oily rag.
Now in its third year, Narratives of Hope, continues to grow and evolve in its reach and impact as a story-telling platform for those voices who are often not heard. They are the voices of youth and adults from diverse cultural, social and religious backgrounds who constantly have to negotiate the social expectations and structures that are oblivious to their needs. It is an opportunity for them to challenge public perceptions and help us grow in understanding with the support of volunteer ACU staff and students who act as mentors. In actual fact, it is a reciprocal learning experience, because no one walks away untouched by the experience.
This year, we had two very well attended events around Narratives of Hope. The first was a Narratives of Hope Ensemble puppetry production held at Sandgate Town Hall. WHO ARE WE? WE ARE was a collaboration between Elysium Theatre’s Sharyn Henry and former ACU mentors (Elyse Flavel, Keith Skelton and Janine Quine), former NOH participants (Rosalba, Nur and Mohammad) and new student volunteers (Jack – business and Krishna – OT). Using large brown paper puppets, it drew on previous stories with specific reference to Imtiaz’s story. Imtiaz came to Australia by boat as a 15 year old from Pakistan and nearly drowned. It was followed by young Muslim speakers who have been, and continue to be involved with ACU. People from the public have been asking if we will show it again.
J.N
Just writing to let you know we really enjoyed “A Prudent Man” last evening at Sandgate Town Hall. Lyall Brooks was brilliant.
Lovely to meet you and look forward to seeing future productions. Kind regards,
J
Hello all at Elysium Theatre Thank you so much for bringing your marvellous show to Toogoolawah last Friday. I absolutely loved it and thought you were so talented I was embarrassed at the lack of punters and will be telling all I meet just what an opportunity they missed. We were talking to your cast members (whose names were not in the programme which was a shame) about audience likes and dislikes in Somerset and Deb said that ticket price is a very big factor. People don't want to pay more than $25 and as I said, they also don't. Like going out at night and prefer matinees These points may not be possible for you but I'd love to see you all here again and thought I should mention them Hope Boonah was a bigger audience and thanks again for a great show Regards
G.W
Having just moved to Sandgate (and Queensland) a few months ago I can't tell you how absolutely sure I am that I have made the right decision. Music by the Sea and your company Elysium Theatre have sealed the deal for me. Thank you so much and I will attend every possible event that I can to ensure the marvellous entertainment offerings continue. Regards
J
Sandgate Town Hall was an appropriately intimate space for Almost Face to Face to be performed. The audience arced attentively round the Raconteur and his solitary chair draped with a jacket. Moments of complete darkness, lighting effects and intermittent grabs of music the only enhancements to the sparse set. Every gesture, every expression and every change of his eloquent voice seamlessly added more definition to the places and the range of characters he evoked.
We were all in the claustrophobic room papered with memories, two storeys above the Liffey. Like him we were fascinated by the tragic self imprisonment of his needy companion Miss Big and the mechanics of her sad existence. We sensed the shift from tenderness to depression and frustration. The growing oppressive tension and mounting guilt he felt about abandoning her. And the distinct sense of liberation and space once he did.
But that liberation also made him vulnerable to the vices he had been keeping at bay down on the street. With pathos Steven vividly propelled us with him on his escape to the seedy bars and bleak gatherings of those on the fringe, and yet in plain sight. His temperate resolve rapidly weakened as he swirled recklessly amongst the allure and fleeting elation of prostitutes, drunks, dealers, drug addicts and anonymous sex partners. The desperate desire for temporary hedonism wrestled with kindness and empathy.
His final escape was like a closing of Pandora's Box. The corner turned with a sigh of relief.
Away from the unresolved dense and intense world he had been inhabiting, with its tangled and tragic characters. The air cleared.
Almost Face to Face is an enriching experience. There is humour, and moving irony about human fragility, and at times explicit honesty. We are left to ponder the metaphors of the tale. Entrapment in it's many forms - physical locations, addictions, relationships and mental and emotional states. And the harder question, can any of us turn down the noise and face what we have become?
M.F
I'm looking forward to next year's programme with much pleasure, and hope that your practice of having Matinee performances will continue. Thanks for the productions I've been able to attend this year. I've found them enjoyable, thought-provoking and very well presented.
M.L
Thank you to the Elysium Theatre team at the absolutely gorgeous Sandgate Town Hall for hosting Eleanor's Story: An American Girl in Hitler's Germany for two performances. I felt so well taken care of. And thank you Liam for your phenomenal tech skills, I think this was a perfect start to the tour!
I.G
You guys are good eggs & it was nice to spend that time with that beautiful audience. Met a few of the ladies over at Cardigan Bar who were till raving about my dance skills. Might have to bring Swing Man here next. [my swing dancing show I'm touring next year].
Thanks again for looking after me.
D.C
Response by Associate Vice-Chancellor Queensland Professor Jim Nyland to Narratives of Hope and Elysium Theatre's recent production - WHO ARE WE? WE ARE.
University response to the ‘Anthropocene’ epoch
We are entering the 'Anthropocene ' (no longer a passive, stable and clement world) era...it is a fractious, chaotic and unpredictable world now. Migrancy and population movements are unsettling vast swathes the developed world, as well as many parts of the developing world and it is imperative that universities are not neutral ground in this unknown and dangerous world.
Responding to these momentous struggles is challenging for universities, let alone individuals committed to creating cultural capital and transmitting the best of what has been thought and said. One of the most notable ways in which staff at ACU Brisbane have sought to actively engage with some of these emergent big challenges has been through the successful ‘Narratives of Hope’ series. Special thanks goes to all those involved in this ground-breaking program – to Melanie Seal-Moradi, Keith Skelton, Dan Klar, Elyse Flavel, Nica Tsakmakis, Erin Dougherty, Jake Hardiman, Jane Scott, and Michael Sobek; and students Cian Cattelini and Imogen Johnson. Particular thanks goes to Janine Quine for her successful leadership of this amazing program (detailed below) despite it being put together on the smell of an oily rag.
Now in its third year, Narratives of Hope, continues to grow and evolve in its reach and impact as a story-telling platform for those voices who are often not heard. They are the voices of youth and adults from diverse cultural, social and religious backgrounds who constantly have to negotiate the social expectations and structures that are oblivious to their needs. It is an opportunity for them to challenge public perceptions and help us grow in understanding with the support of volunteer ACU staff and students who act as mentors. In actual fact, it is a reciprocal learning experience, because no one walks away untouched by the experience.
This year, we had two very well attended events around Narratives of Hope. The first was a Narratives of Hope Ensemble puppetry production held at Sandgate Town Hall. WHO ARE WE? WE ARE was a collaboration between Elysium Theatre’s Sharyn Henry and former ACU mentors (Elyse Flavel, Keith Skelton and Janine Quine), former NOH participants (Rosalba, Nur and Mohammad) and new student volunteers (Jack – business and Krishna – OT). Using large brown paper puppets, it drew on previous stories with specific reference to Imtiaz’s story. Imtiaz came to Australia by boat as a 15 year old from Pakistan and nearly drowned. It was followed by young Muslim speakers who have been, and continue to be involved with ACU. People from the public have been asking if we will show it again.
J.N
Just writing to let you know we really enjoyed “A Prudent Man” last evening at Sandgate Town Hall. Lyall Brooks was brilliant.
Lovely to meet you and look forward to seeing future productions. Kind regards,
J
Hello all at Elysium Theatre Thank you so much for bringing your marvellous show to Toogoolawah last Friday. I absolutely loved it and thought you were so talented I was embarrassed at the lack of punters and will be telling all I meet just what an opportunity they missed. We were talking to your cast members (whose names were not in the programme which was a shame) about audience likes and dislikes in Somerset and Deb said that ticket price is a very big factor. People don't want to pay more than $25 and as I said, they also don't. Like going out at night and prefer matinees These points may not be possible for you but I'd love to see you all here again and thought I should mention them Hope Boonah was a bigger audience and thanks again for a great show Regards
G.W
Having just moved to Sandgate (and Queensland) a few months ago I can't tell you how absolutely sure I am that I have made the right decision. Music by the Sea and your company Elysium Theatre have sealed the deal for me. Thank you so much and I will attend every possible event that I can to ensure the marvellous entertainment offerings continue. Regards
J