GRIFFIN THEATRE COMPANY TO FAREWELL ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SAM STRONG

Griffin Theatre Company today announces the resignation of Artistic Director Sam Strong, who has accepted the role of Associate Artistic Director at Melbourne Theatre Company. Sam will program Griffin’s 2013 season, which is being announced on 3 September, and then finish up at the end of 2012.

On accepting Strong’s resignation, Griffin Theatre Company Chair Michael Bradley says, “Griffin’s loss is MTC’s gain. While we are very sad to be losing Sam, we are delighted he will be continuing to play a central role in shaping Australian theatre in his Melbourne home.

“Sam has delivered to Griffin everything we hoped and more. The company has enjoyed unprecedented critical success and audience growth, including several sold out productions. Griffin’s reach has continued to broaden with the introduction of innovative programs designed to further the company’s role as a nurturer of creative talent, and particularly new Australian writing which is of course our core. Taking a theatre company to new heights while remaining completely true to its ethos isn’t an easy task, but Sam has achieved that. He leaves Griffin positioned perfectly to continue its journey as Australia’s home of new theatrical writing and we are excited by the prospect of what lies ahead,” Bradley said.

The Boys by Gordon Graham

Be prepared, this play is highly emotional, violent and when leaving the Theatre you will feel exhausted and amazed.
The Boys is showing at the Griffin Theatre, Darlinghurst until 3 March. The production has set the bar for the year and if all the plays at the Griffin are as good as this, theatre goers are in for a treat.
The story is about a family of three boys, their mum and girlfriends. The eldest brother Brett is about to be released from prison. The family who have been living in relative harmony are nervously awaiting his arrival. The play flits back and forth in time, each time it does you learn a little more of what is in store and what happened in the past. The tension rises as you realise that Brett's return is going to pull the family apart and something terrible is going to happen. The violence escalates in the second half and the scene with the three boys fueled with alcohol and hatred is truly terrifying.
This is a perfect play for the Griffin space, if you have never been, it is a small intimate theatre. This production not only had you on the edge of your seat but has you believing you are actually in the play. A number of times Brett points at the audience and confronts you, only to find that really he is talking to the neighbour. I am relieved that he didn't point at me, as I think I would have tried to hide!  A women sitting on the front row was clutching onto her husband the entire time and as Brett and his brother Glenn burst onto the stage to open the second half a woman screamed. You don't get audience reactions like these unless what you are seeing is totally believable and has you enthralled.  Apart from the play itself there are a number of other contributing factors. The set encompasses the whole theatre with corrugated iron walls and part of the front rows are used by the actors. The flyscreen door to the house is slammed shut every time an actor passes through and the eerie, violent sounding music all help to add to the tension felt in the theatre. 
This is the third production I have seen where Sam Strong has been the director, each of them has been excellent particularly the dialogue. He seems to be able to bring the best out of the actors and I am looking forward to seeing what he is directing next.
As you can tell I did love this play, it was flawless, but not only that, I liked it because it was so powerful, it didn't pussy foot around the topic, it was raw and challenging and the scary thing about it, is that there are people like The Boys among us in the world.

And No More Shall We Part by Tom Holloway

The Griffin Theatre once more brings intense entertainment to the people of Sydney. And No More Shall We Part is playing at the SBW Stables Theatre until 3 September.
This was a very memorial production, one that will stay with me for some time. It was heart wrenching and extremely moving.  It is the story of Pam and Don's life as they make a painful decision to say goodbye after a lifetime together.  You need to take tissues with you! As Sam Strong (Director) explained after the production they did cut 15 minutes from opening night as they realised just how intense it was and how it affected the audience and felt it was a little too much for some people. I know exactly what he meant, there are times in the play where I wanted it just to move on, for some relief.  The intensity is broken up with lighter comical scenes and it is not a performance that leaves you with total doom and gloom.  You will be surprised about how you feel at the end. It is extremely well written and won the 2010 AWGIE for best play. If you are in long term relationship there were many occasions where you will relate to the dialogue.  It is a very humane intimate portrayal of their relationship.
Directed by Sam Strong who you might remember for Speaking With Tongues earlier this year; has picked another play which is technically challenging to the actors. Actors Linda Cropper and Russell Kiefel felt that the technical side to the play was more difficult than the topic; they were both drawn to the play by the brilliant writing. The affect the play has on the audience is a testament to their performance.