The Bondi Pavilion is now the permanent home for the highly successful TAMARAMA ROCK SURFERS (TRS) theatre company, following their colourful presentation and media launch last night.
The full house at the Bondi Pavilion theatre was testament to the dedication and admiration that surrounds this company.
After 16 years of the Company treading the boards at the Old Fitzroy Hotel (as well as the Pavilion, Stables and Opera House theatres) and with 50 new Australian plays under its belt, Artistic Director Leland Kean is very excited about their new, full time venue and the eclectic range of plays on offer this year.
“We are proud to put Australian new works in front of Australian audiences”, said Leland Kean. “TRS will continue to support and nurture independent artists, new Australian voices and the theatre sector through our operations at the Bondi Pavilion and we have greater resources and capacity than at any other time in our 16 years”.
Gabrielle Upton, federal member for Vaucluse, was on hand at the launch giving her support and likewise, Waverley Councillor, Tony Kay, announced a new “professional, high calibre partnership” with TRS, offering a five year agreement with donations of $75,000 per year.
The Chair of the TRS board, Nell Schofield, emceed the evening’s event with great energy and humour, promising that the company is out to “get beach bums on seats”.
Of the 2013 season, Leland Kean says, “It is the most robust and challenging of any that the company has programmed under my tenure as Artistic Director of the Rock Surfers. It brings you some of the best Australian writing from the past and present and showcases the cream of the independent scene in Australia. From one man in a smoky bar to twenty lost souls on a ship, from an Australian classic that echoes 40 years on with frightening relevance, to a Feast of Sydney’s best emerging and contemporary talent, this season has it all.”
The first play for this new season is CUT SNAKE, an award-winning play from the Melbourne Fringe, co-presented by Sydney independent company ARTHUR. This is followed by LENNY BRUCE: 13 DAZE UN DUG IN SYDNEY 1962 by Benito Di Fonzo.
Following in May, David Williamson will be re-working and updating THE REMOVALISTS with its director, Leland Kean. Williamson said, “I am delighted that TRS is revisiting my seventies play, as TRS is one of the most vital generators of interesting and relevant theatre in the country and it’s an honour to be part of their lineup.”
Visit the Tamarama Rock Surfers Theatre Company website:www.rocksurfers.org, and check out the rest of the 2013 season, where you can also subscribe online.
© Bronwyn Fullerton
5th March, 2013
Tags: Sydney Theatre News- TRS 2013 Season Launch, Leland Kean, Sydney Arts Guide, Bronwyn Fullerton
