by Tim Crouch
West Australian Premiere
Set in a stage hypnotist’s act, An Oak Tree is a vivid and absurdly comic play about how we fill the gaps in our lives. It’s performed by two actors, one of whom will never have seen or read a word of the play they’re in… until they’re in it!
An Oak Tree is a brave and challenging story about loss, suggestion and the power of the mind. An innovative and entertaining piece of theatre, an exploration of the moment of discovery as well as the power of suggestion. An Oak Tree contains a breathless balance of accessible narrative, complex idea, rich theatricality and broad humour.
An Oak Tree stars Luke Hewitt and a cast of special guests including some of Perth’s finest actors and favourite personalities. Rumours are rife. Who are the twenty-three guest performers and when will they take to the stage? From what we've got in store, you'll probably want to see each show!
Featuring Peter Barr, Nicola Bartlett, Siobhan Dow-Hall, Jeffrey Jay Fowler, Vivienne Garrett, Peter Holland, John Hyde MLA, Geoff Kelso, Michael Loney, Dixie Marshall, Greg McNeill, Sarah McNeill, Tim Minchin, Della Morrison, Kyle Morrison, James Pearson, Lee Sappho, Igor Sas, George Shevtsov, Kav Temperley, Sean Walsh, Alison van Reeken and Bernadette Young.
"An Oak Tree is a fun and thought-provoking exploration of the power of suggestion and a genuinely nerve-racking experience for the audience and each mystery 'second actor'."
Ali Taulbut, The West Australian
"It is a daring play that takes every convention of theatre – role play, the suspension of disbelief, fantastical illusions and projected emotions – and turns the whole theatrical artifice on its head to create new, fresh and unconventional moments."
Sarah McNeill, Post Newspapers
"If you’re looking for something a little bit different, something that challenges the conventions of traditional theatre, then this could be the show for you."
Hayley Mayne, Australian Stage Online
Different, unusual and unexpected; an intriguing tightrope-walk of a play
Variety Magazine
Absolutely f**king fantastic!!!
The Observer
A wild and exhilarating ride
Variety.com
Philosophy in action… playful and seriously thought-provoking
Independent on Sunday
A beguiling and meticulously imagined experiment
The Age
2006 Obie Award
Check out Perth Theatre Company's blog to read what the guest performers have to say about their experience of An Oak Tree! Feel free to add your own comments - this blog is for you!
Cast & Crew
- Peter Barr
Guest performer - Nicola Bartlett
Guest performer - Mat 'Cheeky' Cheetham
Sound Design - Lawrie Cullen-Tait
Director - Siobhan Dow-Hall
Guest performer - Anna Dymitr Hawkes
Stage Manager - Jeffrey Jay Fowler
Guest performer - Vivienne Garrett
Guest performer - Luke Hewitt
Actor - Peter Holland
Guest performer - John Hyde MLA
Guest performer - Geoff Kelso
Guest performer - Michael Loney
Guest performer - Dixie Marshall
Guest performer - Sarah McNeill
Guest performer - Greg McNeill
Guest performer - Tim Minchin
Guest performer - Della Rae Morrison
Guest performer - Kyle Morrison
Guest performer - James Pearson
Guest performer - Lee Sappho
Guest performer - Igor Sas
Guest performer - George Shevtsov
Guest performer - Trent Suidgeest
Lighting Designer - Kav Temperley
Guest performer - Alison van Reeken
Guest performer - Sean Walsh
Guest performer - Bernadette Young
Guest performer
