The Dire Theatre Company is one of many in the Illawarra but has a major point of difference – everyone gets a share of the door sales.
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The company was founded by Adam O’Brien because he was sick of young thespians not getting paid, while he wanted to use his skills to benefit the community.
“I wouldn’t say it’s activism or politically pushed theatre but it’s performance that has a relevance,” he said.
The latest stage work is an all female production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, to be presented at the Project Contemporary Art Space in Wollongong from February 15 to May 2.
O’Brien said Isabelle Fredericks and Lisa Omodei wanted to experiment with an all female cast given that back in The Bard’s time there were no females allowed on stage.
“They also wanted to experiment with what it would be like to have a female perspective on a play that is for the most part pretty chauvinistic,” he said. “It speaks down about women, and themes about marrying women off and women as a commodity.”
O’Brien is happy to push boundaries with the works the company produces. One of their previous popular works was titled Our Neighbourhood which looked at the “Australian invasion by Europeans”.
“We work by a certain tag line, it’s our duty to incite change without fear,” her said. “The main aim to involve the community and create works with social meaning and social relevance.”
Romeo and Juliet, Project Contemporary Art Space Wollongong, February 15 to March 2. Tickets through www.trybooking.com