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Derby Playhouse's official press page
3 October 2005
Serial Killers
UK Premiere of Antipodean Comedy
Saturday 29 October – Saturday 26 November
(Previews 29 October – 2 November)
A Derby Playhouse production
Written by James Griffin
David Freeman (The Entertainer, Private Lives) returns to Derby Playhouse to direct the UK premiere of James Griffin’s comedy, Serial Killers, on stage from 29 October.
Serial Killers takes the audience behind the scenes of a fictional Australian soap opera, 'Heart of Hearts' and gives an insight into the backstabbing, sexually charged and vitriolic world of the soap's writers. The 'table of pain' is where the dirty work takes place and where the show's star Andrew Lomas (Dr Robert Gilligan in 'Heart of Hearts'), despised by his own creators, will meet his fate.
As real Australian soap opera Neighbours gets set to celebrate its 20th anniversary this autumn, Serial Killers takes a sharp and witty look at the dysfunctional, behind-the-scenes culture of the day time soap.
The show is loosely based on James Griffin's own experience as a TV scriptwriter. Griffin has had a long and successful career in TV drama and comedy in New Zealand and is head of development at South Pacific Pictures, the country's largest independent television producer. Serial Killers won him the 2000 Chapman Tripp Award for Best New Writer.
Directing Serial Killers is Australian David Freeman who received national critical acclaim for his direction of The Entertainer at Derby Playhouse in 2003 and Private Lives at Derby Playhouse in 2004. David was Associate Artist of English National Opera between 1981 and 1994. David Freeman talks of why he and James Griffin have chosen to set the Derby Playhouse production in Australia:
"I am an Australian who has been living and working in the UK for some time and it is clear the people over here have developed a visual shorthand of what makes an Australian soap. I don't think the same can be said for New Zealand soaps which have their own nuances. That's why it made sense to set Serial Killers in Australia, I think the cultural references will be much funnier for UK audiences."
Playing screenwriter 'Alan' is Australian actor and comedian Mark Little who won an Olivier award for his performance in Defending the Caveman in 1999. Alongside Mark playing 'Heart of Hearts' producer Sally is Julianne White who appeared as Jackie in the 2000 film 'Sexy Beast' directed by Jonathan Glazer.
After premiering at Derby Playhouse Serial Killers is set to move onto the West End in a co-production with UK and New Zealand based production company Volcanic Island, co-producers of Jailhouse Rock.
Life continues to imitate art as Serial Killers the play has recently become a successful 7 part television series on TV New Zealand, nominated for 7 New Zealand screen awards, including best script for James Griffin.
- ENDS -
Notes to Editors
Cast:
Kate Atkinson as Simone
Rebecca Hobbs as Pauline
Mark Little as Alan
Andrea McEwan as Elaine
Craig Parker as Matt
Ben Steel as Andrew
Julianne White as Sally
Creative Team:
Directed by David Freeman
Designed by Duncan Hayler
Lighting Designed by Alistair Grant
Sound Designed by Julian Brooks
Video designed by Kit Lane
Video produced by Helen Lloyd
Listings Information:
Serial Killers
by James Griffin
directed by David Freeman
Saturday 29 October – Saturday 26 November
When soap-star heartthrob Andrew Lomas learns that scriptwriters are planning to write him out of the show he takes the storyline of 'Heart of Hearts' into his own hands. A new comedy that looks at the absurdities of life in an antipodean soap and the lives and loves of its cast and crew.
Wicked humour from down-under for everyone who ever loved or hated soap opera. | | |