The Bleeding Tree single work   drama   - 75 minutes
Date: 2023
Date: 2018
Date: 2017
Date: 2015
Issue Details: First known date: 2015... 2015 The Bleeding Tree
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'In an isolated farmhouse, outside a small country town – a woman and her daughters have just killed their abusive man of the house. Known throughout the district as a cur and a dog, the women set about disposing of his body. However their task becomes fraught when several of the local villagers choose to pay a visit and grow suspicious at their behaviour – will their act become exposed before they can dispose of the body? A lyrical exploration of family, violence and revenge against a backdrop of a brutal, rural Australian landscape.' (Play summary)

Notes

  • Green Room Awards:

    • Paula Arundell (performer): nominated.
    • Ensemble: nominated.
    • Lighting design: nominated.

Production Details

  • Performed at the Griffin Theatre Company, SBW Stables Theatre, 31 July - 5 September 2015.

    Director: Lee Lewis.

    Designer: Renée Mulder.

    Composer: Steve Toulmin.

    Lighting Designer: Verity Hampson.

    Stage Manager: Edwina Guinness.

    With Paula Arundell, Airlie Dodds, and Shari Sebbens.


    Presented by Sydney Theatre Company as a Griffin Theatre Company production, 13 March to 8 April 2017.

    Director Lee Lewis.

    Designer Renée Mulder.

    Lighting Designer Verity Hampson.

    Composer Steve Toulmin.

    With Paula Arundell, Airlie Dodds, and Shari Sebbens.


    Performed (as a Griffin Theatre Production) at the Arts Centre Melbourne 15-19 May 2018.

    Director: Lee Lewis.

    Composer: Steve Toulmin.

    Designer: Renée Mulder.

    Lighting Designer: Verity Hampson.

    With Paula Arundell, Brenna Harding, and Sophie Ross.


    Originally set to be presented by Theatre Republic (under the auspices of the State Theatre Company of South Australia), Ngunyawayiti Theatre, Tandanya Aboriginal Cultural Institute, 26 August - 5 September 2020.

    Director: Corey McMahon.

    Production Designer: Victoria Lamb.

    Lighting Designer: Chris Petridis.

    Composer: Jason Sweeney.

    Producer: Manda Webber.

    Cast: Elena Carapetis and Elizabeth Hay.

    Production postponed, but not initially cancelled, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rescheduled for 9-19 December 2020.


    Presented by Black Swan Theatre Company and The Blue Room Theatre at Studio Underground, Perth, 29 April - 14 May 2023.

    This production was 'Reborn with a cast of First Nations women breathing new life into its lungs' (Black Swan Theatre Company, 2023 program).

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

Theatre Review : The Bleeding Tree, The Blue Room Theatre Nanci Nott , 2023 single work review
— Appears in: ArtsHub , May 2023;

— Review of The Bleeding Tree Angus Cerini , 2015 single work drama

'This unforgettable murder ballad explores the tense relationship between violence, complicity, unity and resilience.' 

Aboriginal Actor-turned-director Shari Sebbens Takes the Reins on New Theatre Productions in Sydney and Melbourne in 2023 Rudi Bremer , 2022 single work column
— Appears in: ABC News [Online] , October 2022;
Theatre Royal's First Public Play since COVID-19 Pandemic Began Has Been Extended Twice After Selling Out Laura Beavis , 2020 single work column
— Appears in: ABC News [Online] , November 2020;

'For actress and producer Marta Dusseldorp, raising the curtain at Hobart's Theatre Royal on Thursday night for the first time since March was a spiritual experience.' (Introduction)

Playwright Angus Cerini on How Theatre Saved Him, and Examining Australian Masculinity in Wonnangatta, The Bleeding Tree Dee Jefferson , 2020 single work column
— Appears in: ABC News [Online] , October 2020;

'The year 1996 was one of those 'best of times, worst of times' for Angus Cerini. In perhaps its defining moment, he was beaten up on a train by a group of young men after intervening when they harassed a couple of older women.' (Introduction)

The Bleeding Tree (Sydney Theatre Company) Ian Dickson , 2017 single work essay
— Appears in: ABR : Arts 2017;

'Three women are staring into space. They are dazed, in shock, not yet believing that what has just happened has actually occurred. Beneath them is the body of a man, husband and father, whom they have just murdered. So begins the wild, darkly lyrical nightmare ride that is Australian playwright Angus Cerini’s The Bleeding Tree, which won several 2016 Helpmann Awards, including Best Play and Best Direction.'  (Introduction)

Theatre Review : The Bleeding Tree, The Blue Room Theatre Nanci Nott , 2023 single work review
— Appears in: ArtsHub , May 2023;

— Review of The Bleeding Tree Angus Cerini , 2015 single work drama

'This unforgettable murder ballad explores the tense relationship between violence, complicity, unity and resilience.' 

Poetic 'Thrash Opera' Wins Griffin Award Elissa Blake , 2014 single work column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 26 June 2014; (p. 31)
Play Comes to the Defence of Victims Elissa Blake , 2015 single work column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 5 August 2015; (p. 10-11)
The Bleeding Tree (Sydney Theatre Company) Ian Dickson , 2017 single work essay
— Appears in: ABR : Arts 2017;

'Three women are staring into space. They are dazed, in shock, not yet believing that what has just happened has actually occurred. Beneath them is the body of a man, husband and father, whom they have just murdered. So begins the wild, darkly lyrical nightmare ride that is Australian playwright Angus Cerini’s The Bleeding Tree, which won several 2016 Helpmann Awards, including Best Play and Best Direction.'  (Introduction)

Playwright Angus Cerini on How Theatre Saved Him, and Examining Australian Masculinity in Wonnangatta, The Bleeding Tree Dee Jefferson , 2020 single work column
— Appears in: ABC News [Online] , October 2020;

'The year 1996 was one of those 'best of times, worst of times' for Angus Cerini. In perhaps its defining moment, he was beaten up on a train by a group of young men after intervening when they harassed a couple of older women.' (Introduction)

Theatre Royal's First Public Play since COVID-19 Pandemic Began Has Been Extended Twice After Selling Out Laura Beavis , 2020 single work column
— Appears in: ABC News [Online] , November 2020;

'For actress and producer Marta Dusseldorp, raising the curtain at Hobart's Theatre Royal on Thursday night for the first time since March was a spiritual experience.' (Introduction)

Last amended 14 Nov 2022 09:28:53
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