Carstairs readies for his theatrical debut

Film director Peter Carstairs (September) is about to make his theatre debut, with the hilarious black comedy The Lonesome West – the third work in Martin McDonagh’s famous Leenane Trilogy – opening at Belvoir St Downstairs Theatre on August 21.

The Connor brothers have been fighting since before they could walk. Valene collects religious figurines, obsessively, and Coleman attends funerals for the vol-au-vents and sausage rolls. They’ve just buried their dear father who died under suspicious circumstances – which is not so surprising in the “accidental death capital of the world”.

The melancholy, alcoholic parish priest attempts to teach the siblings the meaning of love and forgiveness, but he has limited success. Set against the bleak backdrop of the west coast of Ireland, a darkly funny, disturbing and explosive tale ensues.

With a brutally acerbic, yet extraordinarily compelling script, which is performed in dialect, there could be no two performers better suited to the roles of Coleman and Valene Connor, than Travis Cotton (My Year Without Sex, My Arm, Vigil) and Toby Schmitz (Ruben Guthrie, Travesties, Rabbit). Then, to round off an already stellar cast, B Sharp is thrilled to welcome Sibylla Budd (Yibiyung, Ray’s Tempest, The Secret Life of Us, The Bank) to the Downstairs stage for the first time. Jacob Nash – of Ruben Guthrie acclaim – is designing the production.

Director Peter Carstairs’ film September was in the official selection at both the Berlin and Toronto International Film Festivals, and was screened at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival in the Cannes Forum. Before that, Carstairs made a string of award-winning short films including Gate, starring Joel Edgerton.

"The Lonesome West is viciously funny but, at the same time, very human. It’s ultimately a play about forgiveness and our individual need to connect with each other; to love and be loved… McDonagh really is one of the most exciting writers around so, naturally, I’m thrilled to be doing the play – especially because it’s the first time it’s been done in Sydney," Carstairs said.

Martin McDonagh is renowned not only for his plays, but also films – in 2008 he received a Best Original Screenplay BAFTA and a Best Original Screenplay Oscar Nomination for In Bruges. The first production in McDonagh’s Leenane Trilogy – The Lieutenant of Inishmore – played with much bravado in the Upstairs Theatre in 2003. His pitch black comedy The Pillowman sold out in the Company B 2008 Season.

The Lonesome West is being produced by Arts Asia Pacific, a company which has a history of producing and touring large scale work within Asia. In 2009 AAP has been extremely active in Australia, co-producing the world premiere of Australian musical Metro Street by Matthew Robinson, as well as the Australian premiere of Broadway hit Avenue Q; which has played to great acclaim in Melbourne, and will open in Sydney on August 12 at the Theatre Royal.

Torben Brookman, Managing Director of Arts Asia Pacific, said: "Arts Asia Pacific is thrilled to be working with Peter Carstairs and an amazing cast and creative team on The Lonesome West. Arts Asia Pacific is committed to the development of the performing arts in Australia, and working with companies like Company B, through the B Sharp season, is a great way to showcase the incredible work of the next generation of Australian directors, designers and performers."

The Lonesome West previews on August 20 ahead of its August 21 opening night. It is scheduled to run at the Belvoir Street Downstairs Theatre until September 13.

Bookings: (02) 9699 3444.