Classic American play, Death of a Salesman, opens at the Forge Theatre next month, and audience members will see some familiar local faces treading the boards for Bairnsdale Production Line Theatre Co.
Opening on Friday, October 18, for a two weekend run and closing with a Sunday matinee on October 27, Death of a Salesman takes many of the cast into new territory with a chance to develop dramatic acting skills they don’t often get to explore in Production Line’s standard comedy plays.
Long – time Production Line member and Eagle Point resident, Tony Porter – seen in roles such as Billy Flynn in Chicago and Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, says “I’ll be playing Willy’s long-lost brother Ben – a smaller role in terms of stage time, but challenging because he’s seen through Willy’s eyes, a figment of his imagination. Not your average role.”
Another face many will be familiar with is Robert Leggett, who has had a role in almost every show Production Line have produced in the past five years.
Playing the part of neighbour Charley, Robert says “I really wanted to see Production Line break from its usual October comedies and try something different, and what better play than one that is widely considered to be one of the greatest American plays ever written? This is actually the second production of it that I’ve been in, having played Howard and Stanley previously many years ago.”
Also returning to the stage in the role of Charley’s son Bernard is Etienne Goessens, most recently seen stowing away on the Americana as Billy Crocker in Anything Goes.
Bernard represents the lack of achievement of Willy’s owns son’s and is a constant reminder of that lack of success.
Etienne says “I’ve been in quite a few musicals and one act plays, but this is my first full length play. I’m really excited for the opportunity to show that I can be more than the love interest or cool guys like Kenickie in Grease. Bernard is allowing me to expand my skill set in ways I haven’t been able to before.”
Well-known Lakes Entrance hairdresser, Mathew Evans, will not be so familiar to those in the audience as he is with those needing a haircut but is holding his own among a cast of highly experienced actors. Having been away from the stage for a long time, Mat has been thrown in the deep end by taking on two roles, that of Willy’s employer Howard and friendly waiter, Stanley.
“It was going to take a serious dramatic play to lure me back and this is the one. The play is almost 75 years old and the themes still resonate with contemporary life. The definition of a classic for me,” Mathew said.
Discounted early bird tickets are still available up until this Friday, September 20.
As has become tradition with the October play for Production Line, all profits from opening night will be donated to a local charity, with this years recipient being St Vincent de Paul Assistance Centre Bairnsdale.
Attendees on opening night will be greeted with a complimentary glass of bubbly and supper provided by long term sponsor, New Leaf Cafe.
Death of a Salesman will open on Friday, October 18 for a total of six performances over two weekends, concluding on Sunday, October 27.
More information can be found on the Production Line website and Facebook page, as well as the Forge Theatre and Arts Hub website.
