University of Wollongong goes Bendy

2-September-2002

Nineteen graduating theatre students from the University of Wollongong will take to the stage in an epic new comedy titled 'Bendy' this month.

The faculty of creative arts students play 43 different characters between them in the comedy by award winning 22 year-old student and playwright Tommy Murphy (Troy's House, Massacre at Paris, three hundred and sixty positions in a one-night stand).

Bendy is part thriller, part fantasy, part pastoral and all comedy. It's Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure meets Battleship Potemkin. In a twisted university town four students (well, OK, three students and an ex-student with a real job) grapple with each other, the washing up and world revolution. One of them, Danielle, just can't seem to get her essay finished, because fun comes in pills, she's got to work all the time, vacuum cleaners take lives, every dead philosopher and action-woman under the sun's moved into her brain, Patterson's curse has taken over the lounge and she's stuck in a cattle grate on the way to the kitchen.

Bendy was a hit in Sydney in July under the direction of Chris Mead, Literary Manager of Company B Belvoir St Theatre. Chris had this to say about the play: "This script is gold. It is angry, inarticulate and dangerously funny. Tommy is a genuinely talented writer with a mordant eye, quick wit and no fear. And I am thrilled at how quickly and thoroughly the Wollongong students have responded to it. This is a show where the third years are really able to flex their acting muscles. Already it is looking to be a punchy, extravagant and daring show."

The cast have honed and finessed the play since its successful premiere season at the Australian Theatre For Young People and are ready to entertain the Wollongong audience.

Dates: Preview - Wednesday 11th September @ 8pm Thursday 12th, Saturday 14th, Wednesday 18th and Saturday 21st September @ 8pm Special Performance- Tuesday 17th September is 'pay what you can night' @ 6:30pm

Venue: The Faculty of Creative Arts Performance Space, Building 25, UOW

Tickets: Adults $10, Concession $5. Entry is by donation on 17th September

Bookings: Phone Brooke on 4221 3996

For more information: and/or to arrange interviews please contact Amanda Foote on 0401 650 629