Deckchair Theatre in association with the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships
Taking Liberty
Winner of WA Equity Award 2009- Best New Play.
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Season
2 Dec — 17 Dec 2011, 8pm
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Venue
Victoria Hall
Experience the thrilling adventure of the Australia II – the personal and national obsession for the America’s Cup that ultimately placed Australia, and Fremantle on the sailing world map.
This is a tale of courage against odds, of ingenuity and adventure, of great risks and of dogged determination. The cast of characters includes skipper John Bertrand, ‘winged keel’ inventor Ben Lexcen and of course tycoon Alan Bond.
Deckchair Theatre presents a new production of this acclaimed West Australian play to coincide with the biggest sailing event to hit Fremantle in 25 years.
Watch Taking Liberty
The cast and crew chat to you about Taking Liberty.
Watch the preview trailer for Taking Liberty.
To access more Deckchair clips click here.
Director
Chris Bendall
Written By
Ingle Knight
Designer
Andrew Bellchambers
Starring
Nick Candy, Benj D'Addario, Stuart Halusz, Luke Hewitt, Greg McNeill and Craig Williams.
Sound Designer
Kingsley Reeve
Lighting Designer
Trent Suidgeest
Press Reviews
“The last 15 minutes of Taking Liberty last night had me leaning forward in my seat, barely breathing in anticipation. The gripping conclusion of Deckchair Theatre’s latest offering directed by Chris Bendall, was delivered with such still, quiet expectation that the capacity audience leapt to their feet in rapturous applause at the result. Perhaps it was partly for the pride inspired by the victory and partly in recognition of the actors and creative team that deeply enthralled us to emotionally invest in the characters and their journey.” Australian Stage Online
“It’s funny, disrespectful but affectionate, gloriously false and yet emotionally true. And, against all the odds, it’s genuinely, physically exciting. …. Director Chris Bendall does a wonderful job bringing all this to life, working with Andrew Bellchambers’ stripped down, athletic design, and a crew of six of Perth’s very best male actors. His action work – the American yacht charging past or falling behind Australia II and the grinders pumping as John Bertrand (Stuart Halusz) throws his boat through tacking duels – is uncanny in its reality… If you’re looking for a fabulous time out on the ocean this month but want to keep your feet dry doing it, Taking Liberty is the show for you” The West Australian
“5 STARS. A topical triumph for Deckchair Theatre and Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships, Taking Liberty is consistently passionate and engaging, never stale nor reliant on nostalgia to carry it across the line… Amazingly, remembering that the outcome of the race series has been on public record for 28 years, the thrill of the down-to-the-wire finish of the deciding race had audience members on the edges of their seats. Deckchair Theatre has nailed this production of Taking Liberty, embracing the current sailing buzz around Fremantle and adding the dimensions of history to the mix. “ artshub