Media release – Mudlark Theatre, 18 July 2024
Mudlark Theatre Presents World Premiere of First Nations Theatre Work, The Box
The Box is an explosive new Tasmanian play from the powerhouse union of award-winning palawa artist, Nathan Maynard, and Murri-born, nipaluna raised artist Rob Braslin.
The Box is a significant First Nations led theatre work and will premiere at the Earl Arts Centre, Launceston, before touring to Burnie and Hobart. The show is presented by Theatre North, Theatre Royal and Burnie Arts, with support from the Strategic Touring Fund, and is a landmark theatre event in lutruwita.
“Creating new work is the heartbeat of Mudlark Theatre. ‘The Box’ has been three years in the making and is a deeply collaborative theatre work. Over this time, we’ve had the privilege of working with the exceptional talent and vision of Nathan Maynard and Rob Braslin, alongside a remarkable creative team, to realise the production” – Jane Johnson, Mudlark Artistic Director
Straight from his acclaimed production of 37 at Melbourne Theatre Company, Nathan Maynard will direct the World Premiere of The Box featuring Corey Saylor-Brunskill, Nelson Clay, Harrison Collis Oates and Carrie McLean.
Set in a fictional housing commission suburb of Bowendale, the story of The Box draws us into the home and family of a single mother Mandy and her two hardened “Bowey boy” sons. This story is a relentlessly real, daringly comic and profoundly moving theatre experience. A complex and compelling family drama, The Box rages at the fragility of our lives, lives balanced on a knife edge, revealing the courage it takes for many to persist and survive, let alone “dream outside the box”.
“This story needs to be told because theatre is not a safe space for people from housing commission areas. It’s never going to be a safe space until we see ourselves onstage.” – Nathan Maynard, Co-Writer and Director
“The Box is a play set in a suburb called Bowendale; it’s very similar to any other housing commission suburb you’ve been to, or know of, or lived in. It’s about a family, and it’s a tragedy. I think a story like this needs to be told so we don’t keep making the same mistakes; it’s how we learn”. – Rob Braslin, Co-Writer
The Box is achingly human and with that, there is some confronting, real content that is finely balanced with humour and heart through beautifully complex characters.
Stories like this have been marginalised from Tasmania’s mainstream theatre experience. This project seeks to address this profound imbalance of voices and galvanise action.
“Nathan and Rob have created a bold contemporary Australian theatre work; a story not currently being seen on our stages. Mudlark are thrilled to be working closely with TPAC, with support from the STF, to tour the work to audiences across our state. The Box is compelling, surprising, must-see-theatre.” – Jane Johnson, Mudlark Artistic Director
