| « Previous Index Next » |
LyreBird - Legendary Helpmann show on the Border
 |
|
|
|
Tyler Coppin’s acclaimed solo show LyreBird – Tales of Helpmann, about the life and career of Sir Robert Helpmann, will open at the Hume Building Society Butter Factory Theatre Wodonga on September 9 before touring throughout North East Victoria and southern NSW.
Part biographical tribute and part lampoon of one-man stage biographies, LyreBird -Tales of Helpmann is a stunning one man tour-de-force performance – a visually extravagant and outrageously comic portrayal of an extraordinary Australian and one of the world’s great characters - Sir Robert Helpmann.
Reviews have been unanimous in acclaim: ‘Coppin’s portrait of the artist as a sacred monster is tremendous’ (Evening Standard, London); ‘It is a triumph for Coppin’ (The Sydney Morning Herald); and ‘Coppin’s superb portrayal of the man “who put the ham into Hamlet” leaps from coruscating caricature to minutely observed nuance in the flutter of a false eyelash, but it is always blisteringly funny and wholly compelling’ (The Scotsman).
It is rare for a performer to have the opportunity to develop and deepen a performance over the course of a decade but Tyler has relished exactly this opportunity. Tyler writes in an essay from earlier this year: ‘LyreBird; Tales of Helpmann premiered at the Price Theatre at the Adelaide Festival of Arts on 5 March, 1998. Immediately after the first performance my “research” continued; and now, ten years later, it still does. People continue to descend and tell me their Helpmann tales, even if they haven’t seen my show. It seems everyone has a story, and each one helps my playing of the character. However small the influence, I’m grateful because they contribute to a more rounded performance of the man behind the mask.’
Quite a few things have happened since LyreBird premiered at the 1998 Adelaide Festival of Arts after being invited by Artistic Director Robyn Archer. The show became the number 3 top selling ticket of the festival and gathered a number of glowing reviews. From there it went on to receive more great reviews and excellent word-of-mouth as a must see show from seasons at the Q Theatre, Riverina Theatre Company, The Wharf, the Sydney Opera House (Sydney Theatre Company), throughout Australia, and at Downstage Theatre in Wellington, New Zealand.
Amid national touring in 1999, LyreBird played to packed houses at the Edinburgh Fringe where it won a Fringe First Award as an outstanding production of a new work. That same year saw even more touring, and an invitation to represent some of Australia’s finest contemporary theatre as part of HeadsUp – Australian Arts to London.
In February 2009 LyreBird will premiere in the USA for three weeks of performances at the 24th Street Theatre in Sacramento, California, with negotiations already underway for additional American showings, followed by further seasons in Australia.
LyreBird – Tales of Helpmann will run for eight performances only at the Hume Building Society Butter Factory Theatre Wodonga from September 9-14. Book online on this site at http://www.hothousetheatre.com.au/boxoffice/tickets/index.htm at the HotHouse office on Gateway Island Wodonga, or call 02 6021 7433.
SEASON DATES:
September
Tue 9th 8:00pm
Wed 10th 8:00pm
Thu 11th 11:00am
Thu 11th 8:00pm
Fri 12th 8:00pm
Sat 13th 4:00pm
Sat 13th 8:00pm
Sun 14th 6:00pm
Patrons are advised that this performance contains:
* the use of herbal cigarettes
* the use of spray (hypoallergenic)
 Printer-Friendly Version  Email This Page |
« Previous Index Next » |