“Jim’s writing messages. In pepperoni. On top of pizzas. His life is going nowhere. But after watching the film I Hired A Contract Killer, Jim’s found a solution – he’ll just put a hit out on himself. What could possibly go wrong?”
The play premiered at Theatr Clwyd, Wales in June 2021, with 4 star reviews from The Times, The Stage, Get The Chance, A Younger Theatre & Theatre Reviews North, describing the work as “potent and disturbing”, “hugely entertaining yet deeply unsettling”, “fizzing with ideas and invention… seriously clever new comedy”, “important commentary on our modern world”, and “formally playful and deeply compassionate towards its characters”.
Featuring the work of 18 incredible artists, For the Grace of You Go I navigates themes of mental health, consumerism, capitalism and ineffectual political systems.
With funding from the Arts Council of Wales through Welsh Arts International that promotes and links up Welsh work across the globe, playwright Alan Harris will fly out to Sydney to join the cast and creatives in the rehearsal room and watch the Australian Premiere of his work.
Welsh-Australian Producer, Jane Angharad said “Plays from England and Ireland are often produced in Sydney theatres but rarely do Australian audiences get to experience the wonderful theatre that comes out of Wales. I was overjoyed to come across Alan Harris’ excellent play, For the Grace of You Go I and we are incredibly lucky to be able to work with Alan on this production. It is a joy to collaborate with both Australian and Welsh artists and to share our international experiences and skills.”
Secret House & New Ghosts Theatre Company were both founded in 2015, and together have brought 23 productions to stages across Sydney, Perth and Darwin. The companies first collaborated on the Australian premiere production of Mike Bartlett’s Albion, which played in July/August this year at the Seymour Centre. The show was a huge success. It sold out 72 hours post-opening, which led to a one week season extension. Reviews were overwhelmingly positive, with a 5 star write-up from John Shand at the Sydney Morning Herald – “As good as it gets – don’t miss this five-star stunner”.
Of the partnership, Director Lucy Clements says “After working with Jane independently of Secret House in 2020,” (Jane produced New Ghosts’ production of Gary Owen’s ‘Iphigenia in Splott’) “it just made sense to bring the two companies together. We have both worked hard over the last 7 years to establish ourselves in the independent sector, and what we’ve achieved as a united force has been truly inspiring. I’m delighted that this year we’ve had these two incredible opportunities to collaborate and see our creative visions as companies & artists align.”
FOR THE GRACE OF YOU GO I
DATES: Wednesday 5th October – Saturday 15th October
TIMES: Tues-Fri 7.30pm, Sat 6pm & Sun 5pm
LOCATION: Kings Cross Theatre, 244-246 William St, Potts Point NSW 2011
BOOKINGS: https://www.kingsxtheatre.com/grace
TICKETS: $20 – $45
RUN TIME: Approx. 75 minutes
CONTENT WARNINGS: Suicide, drug use, domestic violence, mental health, strong language, use of gun & gun shots
PLAYWRIGHT Alan Harris DIRECTOR Lucy Clements PRODUCERS Jane Angharad, James Smithers & Emma Wright STAGE MANAGER Clare Sheridan SET DESIGNERS Monique Langford & Kate Ingram COSTUME DESIGNERS Monique Langford & Aloma Barnes SET BUILDER James Smithers TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Alex Holver CO-LIGHTING DESIGNER Alice Stafford SOUND DESIGNER Sam Cheng ASSISTANT SOUND DESIGNER Johnny Yang ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Eezu Tan PHOTOGRAPHER Clare Hawley POSTER DESIGN Amelia O’Reilly
CAST Jane Anghaard, James Smithers & Shan-Ree Tan UNDERSTUDIES Joshua Shediak & Emma Wright