The White Rose
- Authors: Durban, Kim
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Visual art work
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- Description: Research background: Companies and artists around Australia have identified the need for, but also the complexity of, producing a genuinely Australian musical. Research contribution: This original production of a contemporary Australian musical about the Jewish anti-Nazi White Rose movement was mounted with the participation of the author Craig Christie and composer Andrew Patterson one year after its first composition and performance. This challenging work explores the memories of Sophie as she looks back over events from her past as a resistance leader, and demands highly emphathetic acting and vocal performance. The direction provided resources to investigate and examine the dramatic and musical structures inherent in the work with a small regional ensemble. The production developed a 'poor theatre' aesthetic through the use of antique objects and period clothing and a band with 3 members instead of an orchestra. Research significance: The significance of this research is that it proved the authenticity and theatrical flexibility of the material and provided sophisticated benchmarks for artist training. Durban's dramaturgical approach also strengthened the script and introduced the work to a new regionally-based audience. Its value is attested to by the following indicators: 1. The script has gained subsequent representation for its author and composer by Australia's leading musical licensing represetatives Hal Leonard Australia, 2. Cast members have gained employment with national and international arts companies including The Ten Tenors, Tokyo Disney and West Side Story.
Murder on the Ballarat Train
- Authors: Durban, Kim , Greenwood, Kerry
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Visual art work
- Full Text: false
- Description: Research background: Kerry Greenwood is an Australian novelist who has written a series of detective novels set in Victoria in the 1920's. Research contribution: This was a uniquely theatrical interpretation, involving storytelling theatre techniques using objects as well as dance and song of the twenties. No words were added to the script and much of the novel was spoken, inclusive of stage directions. Research significance: This was the first theatrical production of Murder on the Ballarat Train, adapted from the novel by the director Kim Durban with the permission of the author, and workshopped with the Graduate Acting company for its Australian premiere in the regional centre of Ballarat.
Farragut North
- Authors: Durban, Kim
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Visual art work
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- Description: Live performance of 'Farragut' directed by Kim Durban, Red Stitch Actor's Theatre, St Kilda. 3 February - 6 March 2010. Research Background: Red Stitch Actor's Theatre has focussed on the production of contemporary plays from outside Australia for the last decade. Research Contribution: This contribution was the first production of 'Farragut North' by Beau Willimon, to be mounted outside the USA, and the first to be directed by a woman, during a season in which the Company focussed on the employment of female directors. It was the second highest selling play in the Company's history to date. Research Significance: This was a unique opportunity for Melbourne audiences to be introduced to the work of American playwright Beau Willimon. The playwright attended the season and claimed that this production was confident and excellent. The production was extensively reviewed, a sample of which can be found at http://www.redstitch.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=65:farragut-north&catid=25:2010&Itemid=6 Subsequent Manifestations: In 2011 Red Stitch Actors Theatre released a book titled 'Ten Years' (by Red Stitch Theatre Actors Theatre, August 2011, Ligare: Sydney) to celebrate their tenth anniversary, and 'Farragut North' was featured on pages. The script was subsequently adapted by Beau Willimon, the playwright, with assistance of George Clooney and Grant Heslov. It was released as the film 'The Ides of March' in January 2012 and was nominated for Gloden Globe awards for Best Film and Best Actor (Ryan Gosling).
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
- Authors: Durban, Kim
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Visual art work
- Full Text:
- Description: Live performance of 'Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespear' directed by Kim Durban, Helen Macpherson Smith Theatre, Ballarat. 8, 10, 11, 12, 16, 18 and 19 September 2010. Research Background: Companies all over the world have produced this Shakespeare play which enjoyed its first production by the Arts Academy. Research Contribution: This original Australian production used an innovative approach to the aesthetic of the play by setting the work in outer space, adapting the Shakespearean setting to an intergalactic universe and having each character played by 2 actors so that each had a clone who appeared with them. Original music and dance was also composed. Research Significance: The significance of this research is that it proved the authenticity and theatrical flexibility of the material and provided sophisticated benchmarks for artist training. Durban's ongoing interest in the 'persona' of casting was continued and developed, a study first outlined in her published article The Necklace Theory. Her dramaturgical approach also intersected with current Shakespeare scholarship and introduced the play to a regional audience. It's value is attested to by the following indicators: Cast and creative members have gained employment with national and international arts companies.