Two Central Coast actors will take to the stage at the Chippen Street Theatre in Chippendale in The Disappearance, a play based on Kin Platt’s book The Boy Who Could Make Himself Disappear.
The powerful, moving and joyful play meets mental illness and diversity with heart and humour and opens for a two-week season on October 10 during Mental Health Month.
Platt’s novel is partially based on the classic British film Baxter.
The play follows a young American teenager facing the combined challenge of his parents’ disintegrating marriage, relocation to Australia and his ongoing attempt to overcome a debilitating speech impediment.
His overwrought mother adds to his problems and, as things begin to explode for him, he decides to ‘disappear’.
Three people — a loving neighbour and her French boyfriend and an equally caring speech therapist/analyst give hope that his future might be more positive.
Intensely concerned with the problems of mental health, the play is often humorous but never sentimental.
Directed by Les Solomon, The Disappearance features a fine cast of young performers including Coasties Liam Faulkner-Dimond of Tuggerah and Sam Zovic of Gosford.
Now based largely in Sydney, Faulkner Dimod has performed in a multitude of major venues around the globe.
With both a Diploma and a Certificate IV in Musical Theatre, his roles include Pugsley Addams in the Australian Touring production of The Addams Family at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney.
He has also been involved in touring productions Story Quest! And Smashed for primary and high school students and in Being Brave and Cyberia, tackling grief, resilience, letting go and online safety again for school children by Brainstorm Productions.
Sam Zovic completed his Certificate IV and Diploma of Musical Theatre in 2021 and 2022 and has attended Masterclass with Andrew Warboys, Joe Kalou and Karina Russel.
Zovic also went on a New York tour and attended Masterclass with AJ Holmes, Tim Dolen and Carleigh Bottiol, also performing in 54 Below in 2019.
His recent stage credits include performances in Cry-Baby The Musical ( 2022 ), Catch Me If You Can The Musical (2022), Rent The Musical (2022), The Worry Woos Musical ( 2023) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream Comedy Play ( 2023).
A third Coastie, Jake Neale of Shelly Beach, will cover all male roles in The Disappearance as understudy.
The Disappearance opens on October 10 for a two-week season.
Source:
Geoff Sirmai Arts Publicity