A captivating portrayal of the hidden forces shaping our personal relationships, MUST presents Michael Gow’s classic work of Australian theatre - Away. Thematically timeless and enduringly relevant, Away “juxtaposes a magical dreamscape with the realities of people hurting”, says Director Max Pickering.
The production introduces dance as a vital mode of storytelling to portray “fantastical fairies and catastrophic storms, that tear apart and then rebuild the families at the heart of the play.” During rehearsal “we have discovered that dance speaks when you don't have the words.”
Family holidays are built on expectations, but when these don’t materialise the stark reality of human sorrow is revealed. The ensemble performance ironically embodies the layered challenges of human connection. Assistant Director Esmé Stripp echoes this, “performativity is at the heart of Away… every character performs – not just for the audience, but for each other.”
The themes Michael Gow explores in his retrospective portrayal of 1960s Australia are just as potent now, as ever. Every interaction and moment, ripples through this interconnected narrative of truths washing up on the shore.
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Show Dates: May 15 - 24
Thurs 15 May - Sat 17 May, 7:30pm (Fri 16 May Masked Performance*)
Tues 20 May - Fri 23 May, 7:30pm
Sat 24 May, 5:00pm
(Duration: 2 hours, including interval)
* Masked Performance (Audience & Crew): Fri 16th May - a new access initiative at MUST to protect immunocompromised members of our community.
Post Show Q & A: Thurs 22nd May
Tickets: $18 MSA plus | $20 Concession | Full $26
Duration: 1 hour and 40 minutes + 20 minute interval
Venue: In The MUST Space: Grnd Flr, West Campus Centre, 21 Chancellors Walk, Monash Clayton, (See pin on Google and Apple maps)
Enquiries via MUST, E: msa-must@monash.edu
Social Media - Facebook & Insta: musttheatre
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Age suitability: Recommended for ages 13+
Content Notes: Death and grief, child death, post traumatic stress, leukaemia/cancer, mild drug abuse, flash/strobe warning.
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Monash Uni Student Theatre, or MUST, is an engine room of creativity, a department of the MSA that creates vibrant, innovative theatre by, with and for Monash students and the wider community. “MUST, creates astonishing and powerful work that consistently punches way above its weight and acts as an incubator for some of our most important emerging theatre artists." (Australian Arts Review)
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MUST and MSA acknowledge and pay respect to the Boonwurrung/Bunurong and Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations, as the true custodians of the land upon which Monash University (Clayton) stands.
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Image by Neerada (Pear) Sheanakul, Ava Toon and Isla Hickey
