26.09.12
Between Two Waves will be cruising onto the SBW Stables Stage on 5 October. The show is directed by Sam Strong in his final play for Griffin as Artistic Director. We asked him to take time out of rehearsals to tell us more.
Between Two Waves is a brand new Australian play. Tell us the story of how it got to the stage.
Ian Meadows was one of the first writers I approached to be in the inaugural Griffin Studio. The aim of that program was to fast-track plays to the stage. So it’s pretty lovely to finish my time as Artistic Director with a writer and a play that started it. But my involvement with Between Two Waves goes back even further. Prior to coming to Griffin, I worked as a script editor on the feature film script version. All of the best bits of the story were present way back then: the beautifully drawn characters, the moving central relationship, and the clever structure. It’s especially satisfying to see a story you have been involved with for some time make its way to the stage.
Between Two Waves is described as ‘A politically charged relationship drama set against a climate change backdrop’. Can you tell us a little more?
The most important thing to realise it that Between Two Waves is not an issue play about climate change. Rather, it is a work that comes at that question ‘from the side’. Between Two Waves is a story about the personal and emotional side of climate change. It takes a global question and refracts it through a very local, recognisable relationship lens. Yes it is timely, but it is also timeless in its engagement with anxieties about love, parenthood and the future.
Your previous play for Griffin was The Boys, which was nominated for best director and best play at the Helpmann awards. Could you tell us about the differences in directing The Boys and Between Two Waves?
Interestingly, there are a number of similarities. Both plays feature moments of intense emotion that are challenging and exciting to realise. And while the designs are very different, each re-imagines the SBW Stables and reveals it to audiences in a surprising new light. The biggest single difference is the comedy. It’s an absolute joy to direct work that is as sweet and funny as it is moving and intense.
Why should people come and see this play?
Because it is global, local, important, irreverent, funny, heartbreaking, satisfying and surprising all at once. It also does what all great new writing does – reflect the world around us right now. And most importantly, you don’t know how it will end.
Tickets for Between Two Waves are now on sale. Book online or call box office on 02 9361 3817.
Click here to view Sam Strong and Ian Meadows chatting about the show.
