Australian Classical Theatre
Formed in 1999, Australian Classical Theatre (formerly known as Petty Traffikers) is a company dedicated to the re-discovery and artistic re-interpretation of Australia's literary heritage.
Over the past decade we have built a reputation for innovative adaptations and award winning productions of works by C.J. Dennis, Henry Lawson and Barbara Baynton. Our recent change of name reaffirms our policy whilst expanding the scope of our work to include international classical works. We continue our commitment to touring this work as widely as possible in search of new audiences.
Coming Soon: Dear Writer, Dear Actress
Anton Chekhov is known the world over for his writings on love, and yet the most memorable of Chekhov's love stories is not one that he wrote, but rather one that he lived—with Olga Knipper, actress and leading lady of the Moscow Art Theatre.
The story spans six short years, in which they play evolving roles—first as playwright and actress, then as lovers, then as husband and wife, and finally as invalid and caretaker, until Chekhov's untimely death at the age of 44.
Most of that time they spent apart by necessity—she at the Moscow Art Theatre, he in exile in Yalta, suffering from consumption. And yet they shared more than a full lifetime of love and theatre as their relationship flourished and survived almost insurmountable obstacles through a constant stream of letters.
Details
This play is the passionate and enduring record of their extraordinary love affair, directed by multi award winning director Ariette Taylor and produced by multi award winning company ACT (formerly Petty Traffikers). It promises to be a piece not to be missed!
You are invited to see the first showing of the play at a public reading to be given by husband and wife team Stewart Morritt and Anastasia Malinoff at fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, on August 23rd 2010 at 6:30pm.
Bookings: email info AT fortyfivedownstairs.com or telephone (03) 9662 9966.
Past and Ongoing Productions
The Sentimental Bloke
This multi award winning show has enjoyed seven return seasons since 1999 and tells the story of Billo the Bloke and his little peach Doreen in a high energy, silent movie inspired theatrical frame work that has received critical acclaim and delighted audiences state wide.
The Drover's Wife
These two short stories The Drover's Wife and The Bush Undertaker, about ordinary people battling to live off the land, anchor Lawson's literary reputation.
This ingenious adaptation captures the humour, steel and pathos of these great Australian characters in a beautifully crafted, poetic realization which premiered at the Castlemaine State Festival before enjoying a Victoria wide tour and seasons in Melbourne.
Ginger Mick at Gallipoli
Combining larrikin humour, pathos and Dennis' unique slang verse, this show is an original adaptation of the book diggers famously carried in their breast pockets during World War One. It tells of Ginger's exploits and the mates he makes whilst serving in the "little AIF".
It is a rambunctious and gloriously physical staging of the story, presented with war time songs and large amounts of wonderful clowning.
The Chosen Vessel
Theatrical adaptations of three short stories A Dreamer, Squeaker's Mate and The Chosen Vessel from one of Australia's most important female writers, Barbara Baynton.
Dealing with themes particular to Australian women, these stories portray the dark underbelly of bush life revealing the horror yet remaining lyrical and full of striking imagery.