The Director single work   drama   - 70 mins
Issue Details: First known date: 2018... 2018 The Director
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'The Director is a bold new performance starring charismatic ex-funeral director of 21 years, Scott Turnbull, and artist Lara Thoms. Taking up a universal experience and taboo topic, Turnbull and Thoms demystify, expose and expand elements of the death industry, using humour and first-hand knowledge to dig a little deeper on what happens after we go. Nothing is off limits, including the smell of a crematorium, the tools of the mortuary, and driving tractors into a funeral chapel. At a time when dying costs an average of $10,000 and funerals happen within a week, death can seem like a very expensive drive-thru meal.

'Blurring the roles of funeral director and theatre director, Thoms and Turnbull ask each other to perform tasks, share knowledge and give feedback on each other’s actions. Balancing macabre reality, playfulness and the tragic elements of death, the result is a spiky, funny and invigorating performance.'  (Production summary)

Production Details

  • World premiere at Melbourne Arts House : 21 November - 2 December 2018.

    Creators:
    Lara Thoms, Scott Turnbull, Aaron Orzech, Lz Dunn
    Performers:
    Lara Thoms, Scott Turnbull

    Designer:
    Katie Sfetkidis
    Sound:
    Kenneth Pennington

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

Theatre Review : The Director, ReUnion District, Launceston Jane Woollard , 2023 single work review
— Appears in: ArtsHub , February 2023;

— Review of The Director 2018 single work drama

'The Director merges the realms of theatre and funeral directing, alongside the tragic and the comic.'

Doing Death Differently : The Funeral Director Who Wants People to Have a Personalised Send-off Georgie Burgess , 2018 single work column
— Appears in: ABC News [Online] , November 2018;

'Scott Turnbull is a third generation funeral director who grew up around death.'

Theatre Review : The Director, ReUnion District, Launceston Jane Woollard , 2023 single work review
— Appears in: ArtsHub , February 2023;

— Review of The Director 2018 single work drama

'The Director merges the realms of theatre and funeral directing, alongside the tragic and the comic.'

Doing Death Differently : The Funeral Director Who Wants People to Have a Personalised Send-off Georgie Burgess , 2018 single work column
— Appears in: ABC News [Online] , November 2018;

'Scott Turnbull is a third generation funeral director who grew up around death.'

Last amended 11 Jan 2019 07:02:41
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