SUNSET Strip reels you in hook, line and sinker.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The critically-acclaimed work by Suzie Miller gets down and dirty with family dysfunction, love in all its guises and making the best of bad situations.
Dealing with dementia, breast cancer and addiction, Miller has a deft way of nailing the right balance between pleasure and pain.
In the role as the ever-optimistic Phoebe, Emma Jackson said Sunset Strip was able to tackle some complex issues due to Miller's artistic skill.
"Because of the way the characters are written to bounce off each other, there is a lot of humour, which you need to deal with some big issues," she said.
"You can't have the light without the dark."
Opening to a sellout crowd in The Butter Factory Theatre in Wodonga on Tuesday night, Sunset Strip speaks to sibling relationships, underdogs and courage.
Jackson is joined on stage by Eloise Snape (Caroline), Lex Marinos (Ray) and Simon Lyndon (Teddy).
Describing her character Phoebe as a "bird with a broken wing", Jackson said Sunset Strip would resonate with everyone.
She said audience members could often see facets of their own family lives in the play.
"This theatre is perfectly intimate for a drama about family dysfunction," she said.
Wagga-born-and-bred Marinos was thrilled to be back at HotHouse Theatre.
"It's a beautiful theatre and an enterprising company and a regional company, which is important for generating its own shows and bringing in new ones," he said.
"One of the themes of the show is regionalism; it's set in the regions in tough times.
"It's great to bring a play to regional areas."
Under Anthony Skuse's expert direction, Sunset Strip premiered at Griffin Theatre Company in Sydney two years ago before going on the road this season.
Its final leg of the tour in Wodonga also marks the end of HotHouse Theatre's 2019 season. (Coincidentally, Miller's play Prima Facie rounds out HotHouse's season next year.)
Sunset Strip runs on Wednesday night at 6.30pm, Thursday at 8pm, Friday at 8pm and Saturday at 3pm and 8pm.