Repertory experiment opens tonight

Five different directors and a group of five actors rehearse and present five very different plays over five weeks.

Tonight, 5pound theatre open 5Pounds of Repertory Theatre at The Owl and the Pussycat (opposite Richmond train station on Swan Street).

Founded in 2010 by Jason Cavanah and Susannah Frith, 5Pound aim to make theatre that challenges and inspires audiences and actors.  And the short rehearsal periods ( while performing at night) are sure to challenge and energise everyone, especially as it's hoped that many discoveries will be made on the stage in front of the audiences.

Cananah says, “I have an incredibly romantic idea of the old theatres.  I picture the high pressure, high stakes world of working rep’s.  The round the clock intense pleasure of sque

ezing every drop of creative juice you can muster to get that show up there stomping the boards.  The close relationship with the audience, the backstage mayhem, the full pelt, full time creative outpour, and a well earned applause at the end.  If we can capture just a small taste of that… it will be a dream come true.”

Jumping into the maelstrom of creativity are some of Melbourne's favourite independent directors, inlcuding Robert Reid (The Well) directing Ben Ellis's Falling Petals (last seen at the Malthouse, about 10 years ago) and Celetse Cody (Choir Girl) directing a musical that I know nothing about.

Week 1. November 6–10. Pygmalion, directed by Daniel Lammin.
Week 2. November 13–17. Sally… A Musical, directed by Celeste Cody.
Week 3. November 20–24. The Unnamed, directed by Danny Delahunty.
Week 4. Nov 26 – Dec 1. Falling Petals by Ben Ellis, directed by Rob Reid.
Week 5. December 3–8. After Hamlet, directed by Trent Baker

5Pounds of Repertory Theatre
The Owl and the Pussycat (opposite Richmond train station on Swan Street)
owlandcat.com.au