Written and performed by Jeff Michel
Blue Cow Theatre Inc.
Directed by Frank Newman and Melissa King
Directed by Frank Newman and Melissa King
Touring through Tasmania Performs
Intelligent, fun, absorbing and elegantly
simple. These are a few ways to describe Jeff Michel’s biographical theatre
piece without giving too much away, because to go into detail would be tantamount
to a spoiler. To detail Michel’s artfulness in conveying time and context would
take away the delight of just working it out throughout the play. So too would be
describing Michel's neat set, and clever sound and lighting by Matthew Fargher and Ghost McDonald respectively.
What can be said without giving too much
away is that Michel’s nostalgic devices will grab anyone in the audience that grew
up through the 80s and 90s. With the challenges of being a teenager not exclusive
to any one decade, this is a play that anyone over thirteen can relate to.
Michel’s play has evolved through a series
of great theatre development schemes, including the Tasmania Performs Artist
Residency, Blue Cow Theatre’s Cowshed program, the Theatre Royal,
Ten Days on the Island, Tasmania Performs Rawspace and the Tasmanian International
Arts Festival. It is described as a first, both for Michel as a playwright and
Melissa King as co-director, working alongside Frank Newman. Both should be
thrilled with the outcome of their first steps out into their new arenas.
Pedalling
Back will tour Tasmanian regionally from 30 March
to 9 April via Tasmania Performs. This is a golden opportunity to see
thoughtful, good quality theatre outside of the city centres and deserves to be
supported. Come on all you regional audiences, get yourself a couple of tickets!
Check out tour dates and venues at Tasmania Performs.
by Stephenie Cahalan
