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"AUSTRALIAN gothic doesn't come in a more taut and thrilling form than Reg Cribb's latest play..." - The Australian
From Reg Cribb, writer of The Last Cab To Darwin, The Return, and film The Last Train to Freo, comes a unique picture of both the outback and suburbia that is by turns intensely fascinating, darkly humorous and truly surprising.
Legendary Australian poet Daniel Gartrell is in self-imposed exile from his beloved Australian bush. He has become a fringe dweller and a drunk, sitting alone in his house on the outskirts of the suburbs, but for the occasional interruption from enigmatic daughter Sarah.
On a stormy night, a young actor knocks at the door. Craig Castevich is to play Daniel Gartrell in a new film about on the bush poet's early life and he has come to study his every move in order to portray the man behind the myth. Gartrell uses his poetic wit and charm to deftly dance the naïve young actor through a maze of hilarious and painfully awkward mindgames, but as Craig continues in his dogged pursuit of the truth he soon unearths the shocking history behind his subject's unfinished masterwork, Mt Ragged.
Amidst the crack of thunder and the shriek of cockatoos, the actor's method spirals into madness as he is engulfed by the oppressive secrets of this family - a father besieged by the sins of his elders and the lore of the bush, and a daughter driven to defend her hero through the pain of guilt.
Deftly directed and with an eerie soundscape and evocative set and lighting design, this powerful and striking play from Delira Productions was originally produced in 2008 with the support of Perth Theatre Company's Umbrella program and received tremendous critical and box-office success.
In the tradition of Australian gothic classics Wake in Fright, The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith and Picnic at Hanging Rock, comes a comedic thriller where Edgar Allen-Poe meets Banjo Paterson. The Haunting of Daniel Gartrell will have audiences firmly in its grip as it delivers a unique insight into our country's psyche and the legacy of our Australian heritage.
"This hilarious black comedy is laced with touching moments and finally true pathos." - Theatre Australia
"The Haunting of Daniel Gartrell is a brave new work from one of our best playwrights, with some truly wonderful acting."
- Australian Stage Online
"Reg Cribb's new play connects on so many levels. It is a poetic salute to the bush and our history." - The Post Newspaper
Director Kirsty Hillhouse
Set & Lighting Design Andrew Lake
Sound Design Kingsley Reeve
Costume Design Zoe Atkinson
Cast includes Will O'Mahony and Sophia Hall
Originally co-produced with Perth Theatre Company
For more information contact Luke Cowling luke@criticalstages.com.au or phone 02 9331 3107
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