The Modern International Dead | 14 - 24 Nov

The very kind Ben Fon came by yesterday to document our dress rehearsal of The Modern International Dead. Please have a look at some of the images for this punchy ride through the world of international peacekeeping as told by Australians on the front line.

Playwright Damien Millar, who can be heard talking to Richard Watts on RRRFM SmartArts Thursday 15 November at 10.30am with director David Passmore, also has these kind words to say about our upcoming production of his award-winning play.

Part of the contemporary story of theatre in Australia, like the story of all of us in Australia, is about finding who we are in the context of an ever shrinking international world. Refugees are a major part of this story in which distant conflicts can hit so near and so toughly. 

I love that this production of my play is helping refugees so practically. It’s an act of decency by Act-O-Matic 3000 that far outshines the material of the play itself, which, like all plays, is grubby, fallible and quick to find gags in the most terrible of circumstances.

BOOK NOW! ALL PROFIT TO THE ASYLUM SEEKER RESOURCE CENTRE.

Performances:
WEEK ONE: Wed 14 Nov (Preview), Thurs 15 (Opening), Sat 16 & Sun Matinee 18 Nov (no show Friday 16, Monday 19, Thursday 22 Nov)

WEEK TWO: Tues 20 – Sat 24 Nov
All shows commence 8pm (except Sunday Matinee 4pm)

Tickets:
$25 Full
$15 Concession (pension, f/t student, MEAA) & Preview
Pay what you can Tues 20th Nov (door sales only)

Bookings:
www.actomatic3000.blogspot.com.au/
www.trybooking.com/BYUO
actomatic3000@gmail.com

Phone: 9005 7870
Twitter: actomatic3000
Facebook: facebook.com/actomatic3000

The Modern International Dead | opening next week

(L-R; Brett Whittingham, Nadia Tracy & Dan Walls. photo: Justin Batchelor)

The Modern International Dead | one week to go!

We're very excited to say that The Modern International Dead opens next week. Preview performance tickets are only $15, so book on-line now using www.trybooking.com/BYUO

The Modern International Dead is an outstanding Australian play that speaks of the importance of humanitarian engagement beyond our own horizons, and the toll it can take on those on the front-line. 

Thrilling, powerful, touching and funny, this Victorian première of The Modern International Dead is an exciting opportunity to check out a play that has received wide national acclaim.

• 2009 AWGIE Awards - Stage Award (shortlist)
• 2009 QLD Premier's Literary Awards - Drama Award (shortlist)
• 2009 VIC Premier's Literary Awards - Louis Esson Prize for Drama (shortlist)
• 2008 Sydney Theatre Award - Best New Australian Work
• 2008 WA Premier's Literary Award - Script Award

Profits raised from this production will go to assisting the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre in continuing its essential work.

ph - 9005 7870

web - www.trybooking.com/BYUO

The Modern International Dead | Victorian Première

The Modern International Dead 

by Damien Millar

by special arrangement with Damien Millar and Currency Press
A fundraising season for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.

The play Damien Millar has written from his research into international peacekeeping is funny, irreverent, passionate and provocative.

- The Sydney Morning Herald

an enthralling, insightful and troubling work

- Daily Telegraph

WINNER: WA and NSW Premier’s Book Awards for Best Play (2008)

Green Room Award winning independent theatre company Act-O-Matic 3000 is proud to present the Victorian première of The Modern International Dead. All proceeds from this production will be donated to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), an independent and non-federal government funded human rights organisation.

Based on the interviews of Australians engaged with international peacekeeping, The Modern International Dead is a compelling and thought-provoking work of documentary theatre. Against a backdrop of miraculous visions and terrible repercussions in Rwanda, secret facilities in Iraq, land-mines in Cambodia and political cleansing in East Timor comes three astonishing stories of Australians who set out to bring relief and assistance to a troubled world. But when politics impedes progress and reality shatters aspiration, what motivates these individuals to risk their lives and go back again?

Richly infused with intelligence and wit, The Modern International Dead gives an honest account of ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary situations - a soldier turned humanitarian aid worker, a biochemist turned weapons inspector, and a novitiate sister turned therapist.

Winner of both the WA and NSW Premier’s Book Awards for Best Play and Sydney Theatre Award Best New Australian Work (2008), Damien Millar’s play is a perfect artistic vehicle for a fundraising season for the ASRC. The ASRC is an independent organisation that often deals with the human consequences of global conflicts, some of which are featured in The Modern International Dead.

Directed by David Passmore

featuring Nadia Tracy, Dan Walls and Brett Whittingham

Lighting Design & Technical Operator: Lindon Blakey
Audio Design: Craig Tracy

Set Design: Carmel Iudica

Venue:

Mechanics Institute Performing Arts Centre,

cnr Sydney and Glenlyon Road, Brunswick

Performances:

WEEK ONE: Wed 14 Nov (Preview), Thurs 15 (Opening), Sat 16 & Sun Matinee 18 Nov (no show Friday 16 Nov)

WEEK TWO: Tues 20 – Sat 24 Nov

All shows commence 8pm (except Sunday Matinee 4pm)

Tickets:

$25 Full

$15 Concession (pension, f/t student, MEAA) & Preview

Pay what you can Tues 20th Nov (door sales only)

Bookings:

www.trybooking.com/BYUO

actomatic3000@gmail.com

Phone: 9005 7870

Twitter:  actomatic3000

Facebook: facebook.com/actomatic3000

Media contact:

actomatic3000@gmail.com

High-res images available on request 

The Laramie Project | a clarification

Dear Friends of the Act-O-Matic 3000

We have been receiving some correspondence recently concerning our 2005 production of The Laramie Project by Moisés Kaufman and members of New York's Tectonic Theater Project. This performance of the deeply moving true story surrounding Matthew Shepard's tragic death and the ramifications of this gay-hate crime, won the 2005 Green Room Award for Best Production (Independent Theatre).

Everyone associated with this season are incredibly proud of the opportunity to have shared Matthew's important story, and for the popular and critical acclaim the production received.

We understand a new independent company, Mockingbird Theatre, is staging The Laramie Project at Chapel Off Chapel. While this production does share the same text, director and venue, it is not a return season of the 2005 Green Room Award winning show. Act-O-Matic 3000 is not involved, so we are unable to assist with enquiries pertaining to this production.

The Laramie Project - cast

Photography: Rolf Proft

For information on this powerful play and the upcoming performances at Chapel off Chapel, click here. 

For a trip down memory lane, have a look at some of the reviews of the Green Room Award winning production from The Age, Alison Croggon on theatrenotes, Richard Watts and even a Mindless Munkey.

The Age covered the 2005 production here.

One of the best shows in town ☆☆☆☆☆

- The Sunday Age

"...a fine cast who make the most of Eno's profound silliness... Time Out Melbourne

"Act-O-Matic 3000 bring a fine cast who make the most of Eno's profound silliness... the cliché laugh-a-minute doesn't go far enough"

Time Out Melbourne

Read more here

Our first show down and it was a beauty, as evidenced by our first review. Tickets are really selling fast now with Thursday being close to sold out.

Please book now - pick your purchase point.

ph - 9005 7870

www.trybooking.com/BPOR

actomatic3000@gmail.com

Tuesday August 28 - Saturday September 1 @ 7.30pm (arrive early & grab a drink)
Matinee Saturday September 1 @ 5pm

Rue Bebelons
267 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
$20 all tickets (except all tix $15 Tuesday 28 Sept) 
www.facebook.com/actomatic3000 
Tweet: @actomatic3000

Book now for Oh, the Humanity

Book now!

‎'Oh, the Humanity (and other good intentions) by Will Eno starts this Tuesday 28 August. Remember, tickets are only $15 for this performance, and $20 for the rest of the season.
Book now, as the venue only seats 40 and tickets are selling fast!

www.trybooking.com/BPOR

ph - 9005 7870
www.facebook.com/actomatic3000/events

Oh, the Humanity | publicity images

Just over two weeks to go!

Seats are selling fast for this surreal stroll through human frailty. Brilliant writing combined with excellent performances above one of Melbourne's most beloved bars make this a unique theatre experience not to be missed.

Oh, the Humanity (and other good intentions) by Will Eno

FEATURING: Kevin Summers, Heidi Valkenburg, Daniel Rice, Bridgette Burton & Dan Walls
TECH MASTER: Lindon Blakey 
________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday August 28 - Saturday September 1 @ 7.30pm (arrive early & grab a drink)
Matinee Saturday September 1 @ 5pm
Rue Bebelons
267 Little Lonsdale Street,  Melbourne
$20 all tickets ($15 Tuesday 28 Sept)
Bookings: www.trybooking.com/BPOR
actomatic3000@gmail.com

Phone: 9005 7870
Tweet: @actomatic3000

While you're busy booking, have a look at some publicity shots for the show shot by Jason Edwards