'Next Fall', by Geoffrey Nauffts. The Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre, until 19th of November, 2016
Luke has a strong belief in God, Adam believes in anything but. When we see their relationship grow over a five year period, we see love triumph against all odds but fate. It’s a beautiful play and I’ve had a great time bringing the story to life.
I fell in love with Next Fall as soon as I read it. I was fascinated by the way this beautifully mismatched couple’s relationship grew. The heartbreak, not only of the threat of physically losing someone, but losing the place in someone’s life, is all too real in this play, however a dark cloud or ‘fat soul’ hanging over the characters is underscored with a quick wit, which is always a joy to direct.
I thought about how relevant a seven year old American play would be to a 2016 audience in Sydney. A lot has changed over that time and, whilst there have been a lot of positive changes in attitudes and even equality in law, there are still a lot of parallels between what is happening now as what was happening then. Next Fall is as relevant now as it ever has been, particularly with everything going on of late with the whole Marriage Equality malarkey.
Marriage equality is often seen as a symbolic gesture which would not have much impact on someone’s life other than offering a public display of commitment. It’s actually much more than that. Recently, one half of a legally married couple in South Australia died and his death certificate was listed as ‘never married’. The implications of the non recognition of same sex relationships are much more than anything symbolic and Next Fall gives us a hint of what can happen when the decision of a family can override the wishes of a de facto partner.
I brought the life experience of a near death experience to this production, myself being someone with a near death experience and being left in a coma. Unlike Luke’s, my family didn’t have a natural prejudice against my partner. Had they had have had those ideas, my story could have easily been a very similar one to Luke's.
It would be easy to embark on a production like this and look at religion from a negative viewpoint, pushing an ‘us and them’ agenda. Instead, rather than demonising those who may have a different view, we’ve explored where faith comes from, what it can do to life and what life can do to it.
Next Fall is a humorous romp through grief, showing a loving couple going through a journey of self awareness, acceptance and a heartfelt love story. Whether you’re happy in your life and you’re confident of your path, or you’re a hypochondriac candle salesman with no career or achievements in life to speak of, there are always things you can learn from one another.
I’ve had a great time bringing this story to life and I’m honoured to have a great team onboard.
I fell in love with Next Fall as soon as I read it. I was fascinated by the way this beautifully mismatched couple’s relationship grew. The heartbreak, not only of the threat of physically losing someone, but losing the place in someone’s life, is all too real in this play, however a dark cloud or ‘fat soul’ hanging over the characters is underscored with a quick wit, which is always a joy to direct.
I thought about how relevant a seven year old American play would be to a 2016 audience in Sydney. A lot has changed over that time and, whilst there have been a lot of positive changes in attitudes and even equality in law, there are still a lot of parallels between what is happening now as what was happening then. Next Fall is as relevant now as it ever has been, particularly with everything going on of late with the whole Marriage Equality malarkey.
Marriage equality is often seen as a symbolic gesture which would not have much impact on someone’s life other than offering a public display of commitment. It’s actually much more than that. Recently, one half of a legally married couple in South Australia died and his death certificate was listed as ‘never married’. The implications of the non recognition of same sex relationships are much more than anything symbolic and Next Fall gives us a hint of what can happen when the decision of a family can override the wishes of a de facto partner.
I brought the life experience of a near death experience to this production, myself being someone with a near death experience and being left in a coma. Unlike Luke’s, my family didn’t have a natural prejudice against my partner. Had they had have had those ideas, my story could have easily been a very similar one to Luke's.
It would be easy to embark on a production like this and look at religion from a negative viewpoint, pushing an ‘us and them’ agenda. Instead, rather than demonising those who may have a different view, we’ve explored where faith comes from, what it can do to life and what life can do to it.
Next Fall is a humorous romp through grief, showing a loving couple going through a journey of self awareness, acceptance and a heartfelt love story. Whether you’re happy in your life and you’re confident of your path, or you’re a hypochondriac candle salesman with no career or achievements in life to speak of, there are always things you can learn from one another.
I’ve had a great time bringing this story to life and I’m honoured to have a great team onboard.