Categories: Features

Fringe Fever: A Quick Chat with R. Johns (writer of Black Box 149)

If you’re really having trouble finding your way through the Fringe program, you won’t do yourself any harm if you just see the La Mama shows. Black Box 149 is written by R. Johns, directed by Matt Scholten and designed by Peter Mumford, so you know you’re in very safe hands.

If you’re really having trouble finding your way through the Fringe program, you won’t do yourself any harm if you just see the La Mama shows. Black Box 149 is written by R. Johns, directed by Matt Scholten and designed by Peter Mumford, so you know you’re in very safe hands. But, it might leave you feeling uneasy, as it’s set on the day that started the two Gulf Wars. A full Western aircraft is stranded on a Kuwait runway and Saddam’s army invades.

Show Info:

What’s your show called?
Black Box 149 When is it on?
21 Sept – 2 Oct 2011

Where is it on?
Fringe Club – Arts House, North Melbourne La Mama How do you get there by public transport?
Any Swanston St tram to Melbourne University, cross at the light and walk down Faraday St, La Mama is on the right, as you cross over Faraday and Lygon St. Is there parking?
Yes

What time does it start?
8pm, Thurs, Fri, Sat. 6.30pm Wed and Sun
How much are tickets?
$25/$15 Are tickets available at the door?
Yes.

For more information, visit theMelbourne Fringe Festival website

A Quick Chat with R. Johns

1. What three words best describe you Fringe show?Claustrophobic, intense, gripping.
2. Who does your show speak to? Those with a political conscience and who care about human rights.
3. What other Fringe show will you NOT miss?Polarities
4. What other Fringe show do you wish you were in? The Dollhouse
5. What do you love most about the Melbourne Fringe? Edgy and innovative.
6. How many Melbourne Fringes have you performed in? Three.
7. If you could invite anyone to see your show (and you know they would come), who would it be? Kevin Spacey
8. What is the best theatre advice you’ve received? Take a deep breath and go for it.
9. What was your most embarrassing moment on stage? A set fell over as we climbed through the window which was part of the design.
10. Do you have any pre- or post-show rituals? Always have a lucky 5 dollars hanging secretly in the space to bring money in, so there is money after for drinks because of all the punters who have come through!
11. What’s your favourite theatre superstition? Do you believe it? M word. Yes. Our director mentioned the m word of the Scottish play and the door handle fell off the side entry door and we couldn’t get out of La Mama that afternoon.
12. What was the last book you read?Succubus
13. What TV show do you never miss? Dr Who
14. What film will you watch again and again? Sunset Boulevard
15. Who will hate your Fringe show? Those without a conscience.
16. What show changed how you see theatre? Why? Jenny Kemp’s work. Where installation becomes a terrifying and haunting space and her use of stream of consciousness writing, more female than male centered.
17. What was your first time on stage? In a nativity play and the lights went out and I had to entertain the audience with a torch
18. What is the first theatre show you remember seeing?Midsummer Nights Dream
19. If you had access to the TARDIS, what performance would you see first? Shakespeare’s Tempest
20. What director/actor/writer would you just die to work with? Cohen Brothers and Kevin Spacey and Guy Pearce.
21. What is your favourite theatre space in Melbourne?La Mama
22. Where in Melbourne do you always take visitors? The National Gallery
23. How do you have your coffee? Flat white full milk with chocolate sprinkles.
24. What’s the best pizza topping?Margherita, so simple, because in art, the simple is always the best.
25. What do love most about your Fringe show? My beautiful cast and crew. Its multicultural with Arabic dialogue in part and is based on a true story. It is a study in terror and fear.

Anne-Marie Peard

Anne-Marie spent many years working with amazing artists at arts festivals all over Australia. She's been a freelance arts writer for the last 10 years and teaches journalism at Monash University.