Blak Yak Theatre is thrilled to announce their production of Brian McAvera’s Picasso’s Women for a strictly limited season at the Chrissie Parrott Arts centre in August.

Picasso’s Women is a series of monologues told by the eight women who lived with, loved, and inspired Pablo Picasso. It is the story of their lives and experiences with the man who was to become the most influential artist of the twentieth century. The production uncovers their buried histories and gives voice to the women who were used, and frequently abused, by Picasso.

So often in theatre (and cinema, and literature) the complaint is heard that there are not enough strong roles for women. Picasso’s Women is a rare beast indeed to showcase eight powerful, fascinating, and engaging female characters. For art lovers, history buffs, or theatre aficionados, Picasso’s Women is meticulously researched and masterfully written. Powerful, confronting, hilarious, and heartbreaking, the show is a tour de force for the actresses.

The monologues can stand alone but, viewed as a whole, they deliver a satisfying synergism. Each piece has been individually rehearsed, with a director and performer collaborating to bring to life each of Picasso’s women.

The eight monologues–on average–are each 30 minutes long, and so are spread over two nights. Each night can be enjoyed on its own or Blak Yak is offering a discount price for both evenings.

Picasso’s Women–Harlequin explores the artist’s early life and features Fernande, Eva, Gaby, and Olga, on August 21, 22, 27, 30.

Picasso’s Women–Minotaur examines Picasso’s later years and features Marie-Therese, Dora, Françoise, and Jacqueline, on August 20, 23, 28, 29.

Picasso’s Women will be presented at Chrissie Parrott Arts, 4 Sussex St, Maylands. All performances commence at 7.30pm sharp. Tickets are $25 Adult, $22 Concession, or $40 for both nights (tickets can be upgraded at any time) at Click to book!

Cast/Directors

Jacqueline – Sherryl Spencer, directed by Melissa Merchant 
Fernande – Nisha Rivett, directed by Rob Whitehead
Francoise – Anna Head, directed by Jarrod Buttery 
Olga – Chandra Wyatt, directed by Joy Northover 
Dora – Nadia Collins & Sharnya Thomson, directed by Christine Ellis 
Eva – Jacinta Tavelli-Williams, directed by Michael McAllan 
Marie-Therese – Breeahn Jones, directed by Kimberley Shaw 
Gaby – Rose McKenna, directed by Louise C. Carson

Love Is A Noun is a black comedy by award-winning playwright Daniel Jon Kershaw. It is a bittersweet elegy charting different perspectives of love. Underneath the lives of the characters simmers a world completely dominated by expectations of love failed or otherwise.

We follow Sherlock Holmes as he gathers clues from the characters we meet in this adventure mystery. The play begins with the seemingly trivial case of a missing three legged chair. We follow Sherlock Holmes as he gathers clues from the characters we meet in this adventure mystery – a rag and bone merchant (Mrs. Mansfield) who is murdered in a run down Whitechapel shop, an obscure geologist (Professor Skullion) who is killed in a rock slide, the discoverer of the prehistoric Plateau Man (Sir Charles Adamson), his scheming sister (Lady Adamson), and last but not least, a reformed thief (Alfie Trotwood) who ties together the very different worlds of Whitechapel, the British Museum, 221B Baker Street, and the streets of London.

Along the way Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are variously attacked by a venomous snake, a tarantula, a booby trapped spring loaded box, and street ruffians. False alarms and red herrings abound. Will Sherlock Holmes be seduced by the alluring Lady Adamson?

Are the powers of Sherlock Holmes on the wane, his addiction to cocaine taking its toil? Who is planning to steal the famous Star of Delhi housed in the British Museum?

Why is Sherlock imprisoned? Is it of any significance that Alfie Trotwood and Lady Adamson share the same birth date? What is Lady Adamson’s connection to Professor Moriarty, and finally, is Professor Moriarty behind it all? From these clues, I ask you to be the judge whether the game is up, or “the game is afoot!”

Playwright:  Doug Warwick

Director: Tim Edwards

Details: A Blak Yak production in conjunction with KADS.

Tickets on sale April 6

Season Tickets and pre-release group bookings of 10+: Lyn 9291 6266

Start time: 8pm
Bookings Name: O’Hara’s Pharmacy
Bookings Phone Number: 9293 1412
Further Info Email Address: kadspublicity@tazentertainment.com.au
Further Info Name: Melanie DeCull – TAZ Entertainment
Further Info Phone Number: 9255 3336
Ticket Prices: tba
Website: http://www.kadstheatre.com.au
Address: KADS, Town Square Theatre, Barber St, Kalamunda
Production Dates: May 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 25, 27, 28

Start Date: 2011-05-06
End Date: 2011-05-28

‘A Lie of the Mind’ is a dark drama by Pulitzer-prize winning American playwright Sam Shepard. Told in three acts set in the gritty American west, the story alternates between two families after a severe incident of spousal abuse leaves all their lives altered until the final collision at an isolated cabin. The two families, one composed of Baylor, Meg, Beth, and Mike, the other composed of Lorraine, Sally, Frankie, and Jake are connected by the marriage of Jake and Beth, whose beating and subsequent hospitalization at the hands of Jake initiates the beginning of the play. Exploring family dysfunction and the nature of love, the play follows Jake as he searches for meaning after Beth, and her family, as they struggle with Beth’s brain damage.

The season will run at the Midland Junction Arts Centre on June 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30 and July 1st and 2nd. There is a chance of an extended season at an alternate venue for the follow week.
Start Date: 2011-06-22
End Date: 2011-07-02