Perth Theatre Company is proud to present Tim Crouch's amazing work An Oak Tree. As much about the process of acting and art as it is about entertaining our audiences, this text provides many challenges to both the main performer, Luke Hewitt, the director, Lawrie Cullen-Tait and the 23 guest performers used throughout the season.
This page is a collection of thoughts, responses, critiques and provocations that arise throughout this plays premiere Western Australian Season.
We have invited everyone associated with the show to contribute - both before and after their performances - to run an ongoing discussion.
This page is a collection of thoughts, responses, critiques and provocations that arise throughout this plays premiere Western Australian Season.
We have invited everyone associated with the show to contribute - both before and after their performances - to run an ongoing discussion.
More information about Tim Crouch here
"An Oak Tree is a fun and thought-provoking exploration of the power of suggestion and a genuinely nerve-racking experience for the audience and each mystery 'second actor'."
Ali Taulbut, The West Australian
Ali Taulbut, The West Australian
"It is a daring play that takes every convention of theatre – role play, the suspension of disbelief, fantastical illusions and projected emotions – and turns the whole theatrical artifice on its head to create new, fresh and unconventional moments."
Sarah McNeill, Post Newspapers
"If you’re looking for something a little bit different, something that challenges the conventions of traditional theatre, then this could be the show for you."
Hayley Mayne, Australian Stage Online
Sarah McNeill, Post Newspapers
"If you’re looking for something a little bit different, something that challenges the conventions of traditional theatre, then this could be the show for you."
Hayley Mayne, Australian Stage Online
Post your comments here
ReplyDeleteThe preview performance of An Oak Tree was at the Don Russell Performing Arts Centre, stranded in an empty shopping centre car-park in Thornlie. Just getting there is bizarre and unsettling, then you walk onstage with nothing to hang on to but faith in the skill and professionalism of Luke Hewitt and hope that he hasn't got a nasty side.
ReplyDeleteThank God for Luke Hewitt. I want to marry him and have his babies.
He issues you with some very basic instructions. You get no information about the story, or the characters, until you're onstage facing the audience, and then it's too late – the toboggan is already rattling towards the first blind corner and picking up speed.
After the show, it's: "Well done, you were marvellous!" to Luke and "Thanks so much for coming, would you like a drink?" to me.
"No thanks, I must get going."
Suddenly, I desperately need to be alone, to process what I've just been through, and I'm so glad to be by myself in the car as I drive back through that alien ghastly landscape and head up Greenmount Hill into the forest.
Sure, there are some laughs – and I expect different guest performers will bring more or fewer with them – but I found it a rather dark and harrowing experience.
I'll be very interested to learn what audiences think – and what my fellow guests make of their journey through this extraordinary piece of theatre.
I had the absolute pleasure of the Oak Tree experience at the maj 2nd preview.Many moons ago in a drama festival Ray Omedai awarded the show I was in: "The play I'd most like to see when I am totally depressed and lost all faith in theatre"
ReplyDeleteThis wonderful experience is the play I'd most like to do again when I am totally depressed and lost all faith...the only sad part is that as a guest, it cant be repeated.A credit of course to Mel Lawrie Mat Trent Anna and Luke...I Feel like
one of those critters in a David Attenborough documentary that began as an egg, transformed into lava, cocooned, and emerged a beautiful butterfly and died all in one hour! I've never seen so many people stay back after a show, enthralled and still totally engaged and wanting to share it...an extraordinary and joyous opportunity. Thanks PTC greg mc neill xx
As a radio presenter I’m constantly reminded that I need to be myself, don’t try to be someone else.
ReplyDeleteSo as I prepared to step into the unknown, that is, the stage of An Oak Tree, Luke Hewitt reminded me that tonight I wasn’t Bernadette Young.
“Who am I?” I asked.
“I’ll tell you when we get onstage!” he said.
Before we began I kept repeating three things over and over: listen – be in the moment – enjoy.
To know if I was any good you’d have to ask someone who was at the show but from my point of view I achieved my three things. I listened. I stayed in the moment, even when that meant crying for the loss of my 12-year old daughter who was so good at piano. And I really enjoyed the experience of stepping out of my own self. In fact, it was a little strange to join my friends for drinks and just be Bernadette again.
Last night (friday the 20th of November) I had the pleasure of being the guest Actor in "An Oak Tree". All I can see is Wow and Thankyou so much. This was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. I was incredibly nervous yet curious before the show and afterwards was completely spent. I couldn't have asked for a more supportive and nurturing person to be in this play with than Luke. Thanks so much mate.This part was such a gift and I'm just sad that I'll never be able to do it again! I think I could gush for hours about this experience, so I'll leave it with one more wow, and an endless supply of thankyou's to all involved.
ReplyDeleteOn Behalf of Michael - (performed 14/11/09)
ReplyDeleteHere goes: On an opening night any normal actor is nervous. However, on the opening night of An Oak Tree I wasn’t. No lines to remember (or forget) and my good friend Luke Hewitt was in control so why get nervous? When I came off stage after the performance then the nerves hit. Not the usual actor nerves but of the “what the hell have I just put myself through?” variety. An Oak Tree is unique, it is a bizarre experience only fully understood on reflection. Most actors think about their performance after the season closes and think about what they could have done or should have done. These thoughts and feelings are magnified 100 times after An Oak Tree!! Why didn’t I do that? Why didn’t I think of doing it this way or that way? I can’t say it was, in my opinion, a satisfying experience for the second actor but it was amazing and memorable. I’m very pleased I was asked to be a part of it. On reflection that is! Best wishes, Michael
On behalf of Dixie - (performed 21/11/09)
ReplyDelete“I’ve never had too much respect for actors. How hard could it be? Playing pretend. Mouthing other people’s words. Any dill could do that.
Any dill – but me!!
My Saturday night on stage in the Oak Tree was exhausting…I felt utterly exposed. Got the giggles at one point. – scared, embarrassed, self conscious.
The big boofy Luke Hewitt made me feel safe…he was gorgeous and generous. I work in tv – where generosity is not always in play. It was nice. He was pure class.
I left the stage respectful, privileged, quiet.
I couldn’t sleep when I got home, sat at the kitchen bench and remembered little moments. It was a weird experience.
Cool and challenging…but weird.”
On Behalf of Lee- (performed 27/11/09)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was first asked to be a guest with Luke Hewitt on this adventure I thought to myself how hard can this be? No rehearsals, no lines to learn, no agents or event managers to deal with, no responsibilities at all - easy peasey. Ha! Come yesterday morning it began, that all too familiar sickening pre-big-gig nausea...but why? Why! Because I didn't have a bloody clue - that's why. I'd respected my instruction not to look anything up on the net, not to ask any one who'd seen it, and especially not be tempted to collar Luke Hewitt on the street and threaten harm to his precious dog if he didn't tell me what I was in for! So I arrived like a lamb to the slaughter and the pain just grew. The only instructions Luke gave me just minutes before walking on were read the bold, listen to me and be in the moment.
And what a moment! Spellbound and gob smacked from the get go, wonderful Luke took me on a journey I could never have conceived. He had me immediately enthralled with my character, mesmerized by his, and completely, utterly swept away. During those times I couldn't see Luke I longed to turn around just to watch him. What an amazing actor. I didn't have to ‘be in the moment’ - he threw me there and held me down through out. I blubbered all over myself then found I had to play it straight immediately after- panda eyed, snot pouring down my chin. I LOVED it! All the while Luke speaking softly to me through my headphones 'You're doing great Lee'. Well you made it happen Luke and I adore you for your generosity of spirit, your brilliance as an actor and for taking me on this wonderful journey with you. I am STILL reeling! Only problem is I wanna do it all again - and I can't...ever. God bless you Luke and all those involved for giving me this amazing roller coaster ride I'll never forget.
On Behalf of James - (performed 30/11/09)
ReplyDeleteThank you Perth Theatre Company, in particular Tony Bonney and Luke Hewitt, for having the confidence to invite me and to support me to participate as a guest performer in An Oak Tree. I had to listen intently, focus on what I was doing and what I was about to do, without knowing what was coming next. And at the same time, I was trying to make out the shape of the play as it emerged from the script in front of me and from Luke seeming to whisper in my ear and, most unsettling, from my own actions and words. The silence of the audience seemed to amplify my voice and Luke's. At many points I felt moved by my responses to Luke and it felt as though these emotions were being transmitted, from Luke, through me. So I imagined that I was a strange combination of human radio/puppet/actor. It was an event unlike any other and one that I will remember for a long time. Thank you again, and to all the people who came out on a Monday evening to watch and share my experience. James
On behalf of Kyle - (performed 28/11/09)
ReplyDeleteTo be on stage at the mercy of the script and audience is a bit scary at the best of times, but to have no idea of the script and to have the dialogue being fed to you is absolutely terrifying, I would do it again any time
On behalf of Viv - (performed 19/11/09)
ReplyDeleteAs an actor I like to be prepared. An Oak Tree required no preparation at all.
I once saw a T shirt that said "failure requires no preparation !"
O Oh...but then I thought...How liberating in this instance.
I know nothing about this play. No rehearsals, no learning lines/ intentions/actions/motivation etc.
All I have to do is show up and sight read.
Note to self -don't forget glasses.
I avoided all talk about it, references to it and quite successfully put it out of my mind.
Then my night came.
I turned up.
I stood on stage completely empty of all expectation.
I kept it simple. Just be in the NOW. Oh how brilliant..the perfect creative state !
Except I had an ear piece and instructions were pouring out of Luke's secret microphone into my ear.
PANIC!
I am not good with instructions. I never read the manual that comes with the new dvd player nor have I ever successfully put together one single piece of IKEA furniture even when someone is reading the instructions to me as if I am a 3 year old!
Ok I thought, all I have to do is listen.I can do that.
I did what I was told ( for a change!) and accepted the directions, the storyline,the premise, the relationship.
Then came the descent.
The sheer drop of poetry.
The colours.
I fell into the words.
The performance slipped out and spread like paint onto the stage.
I played the piano perfectly (in my head)
Happily hypnotic but also hyper aware.
Complex, convoluted, contorted, convincing, caressing, captivating.
What a conceit. This little piece.
With big themes and an undertow- a rip of the heart.
I hugged the tree.
Trance like I went on and then..suddenly it was over and I was taking a bow !
How absurd that felt. What for?
Luke Hewitt ..(what a star) deserved the appause.
The award winning actor that he is guided me with consumate skill
through this intense and baffling struggle
for recognition, forgiveness, understanding and completion.
An Oak Tree.
Over.
The long drive home to Quinns ..I felt buoyant but kinda lonesome. Adrift.
Like I travelled a road less travelled but did not know where I had been.
I hadn't used any lifelines, nor had I called a friend.But I had got the prize.
I had inhabited something real and yet something completely contrived.
Clever playwright, Thanks PTC
Now that is theatre !
PS
My sons who saw the show that night, said they sat next to a woman who cried the whole way through it!
They said it wasn't like "Thank God you're here"
They said they would never ever go to a hypotist.
On behalf of Della - (performed 26/11/09)
ReplyDeleteBefore the show.. the waiting... with anticipation excitment, I was extremely impatient to get on. And then we're on, in the spotlight on stage in front of 150 people dangling like a puppet. The moment I was told I was playing a father who'd lost his daughter I felt a panic adrenaline rush to my head.
I looked around to see many familiar faces of family and friends, there was no where to run or hide, my head spun and I thought I was going to faint....WTF have a got myself into...well I can't get out of it now, it's too late Della...but I made it through and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
I was absolutely honoured to have been a part of 'An Oak Tree' thank you PTC, Anna, Laurie and Luke for inviting me. It's something I will never forget and I am proud of myself for accepting to be part of the show and now I feel like I can go bungie jumping. But I really don't think I would of done it without Luke Hewitt, awesome actor, awesome puppeteer.
It was a very moving story and a fantastic terrifying experience but the tequilla slammers afterwards helped to settle me down.
Cheers
Della Rae Morrison
Singer
Acter
Mother
On behalf of Alison - (performed 01/12/09)
ReplyDeleteWow, it’s taken me a while to write this; however scrolling through the previous bloggers the night came back fresh. I laughed at what Dixie said “playing pretend”! As an actor how often do you hear that? Or “if you’re an actor, you must be really good at lying”. If only people knew that it is actually finding the truth that drives actors and directors exhilaratingly bonkers during rehearsal. And therefore, what a privilege to be asked to be a part of An Oak Tree. Performing in it is the best acting lesson. It was such a unique experience. Completely different to impro, and nothing like a standard rehearsed play, it exists in its own world, a very liberating world. At one point during the show I said to myself “I want to always act like this”. Secretly I may have meant with the lines being fed into my ear (lazy!), but actually I meant being in the moment, not emotionally ‘washing’ the scene, not trying to ‘hit’ moments, all easier to say than actually do. It cemented for me the idea that rehearsals for the actors are designed to prepare you to be able to walk on stage like we did with An Oak Tree; calm, without any expectation, and open to any possibility. It doesn’t mean we don’t need rehearsal, but they are to open us up, not lock us down. I would like to thank Tim Crouch, everyone at PTC and of course the talented and supportive Luke Hewitt who is such a lovely person to share the stage with. I look forward to trying to take a little of what I experienced in An Oak Tree into future performances
On behalf of Nicola
ReplyDeleteI thought "An Oak Tree" was going to be funny, you know, prat falls and slapstick. It wasn't. And it wasn't that I had been misled by anyone at PTC, it was that it just never occurred to me that it would be anything else.
I arrived and, metaphorically, was shown the escape hatches and where to find the oxygen mask should I run out of air. As Luke Hewitt (the metaphorical pilot) took me through the occupational safety and health matters and calmly told me that there was no wrong response, and all I had to do was listen and respond, I began to question my first assumption that this was going to be a bit of a laugh.
When, as an actor, you are hired to play a part, you have the time to mull over the text, and the dynamics of the rehearsal room, and finally the experience of working with the audience. Every night of performance you try not to work, if you will, but rather to discover again, and hopefully, more than you did during last night's performance. You have some end in sight, folly though it may well be.
But this piece, this piece chucks all that up in the air and shouts at you to throw yourself into the wild sea and thrash around. And so I did, and it was exhilarating, and confronting, and confusing, and I loved it. "Fail gloriously!" it hollered at me, and so I thrashed, spluttered and floundered around, and I discovered that it was true to its word, as was the lovely Luke, and I didn't drown, but rather, was returned to myself, a bit sodden, but well satisfied.