Following rave reviews and a successful 2018 premiere season, Melbourne-based Q44 Theatre will bring Unsolicited Male – a powerful and confronting #MeToo inspired play written by award-winning Australian playwright Ron Elisha, directed by Suzanne Heywood and starring Kym Valentine – back to the stage at Chapel Off Chapel in Prahran, for a limited return season from 26 July – 7 August 2022.
Two main characters; Zeke an accountant in his late forties and his PA Wendy are working late one night and they decide to go out for a meal, but things don’t go to plan, in fact things go much too far… Set in a suburban accounting firm, Unsolicited Male is an intimate and confronting exploration of the subtle nuances and complexities of workplace relationships – the inevitable connections that can develop, and the fine line between being friendship and flirtation.
“It was remarkable the number of people who divulged that they’d had similar experiences, and we got that feedback all the time – more people need to see this show. A lot has happened in the world, since then and I think there’s a new moment in time, right now, that’s ideal for this particular piece,” Director, Suzanne Heywood explains the decision to bring Unsolicited Male back to the theatre.
Written by Ron Elisha in response to the #MeToo movement and Harvey Weinstein story, Unsolicited Male aims to turn the spotlight away from Hollywood and onto the everyday lives of ordinary men and women, where many of the same issues are being played out behind closed doors and asks important and difficult questions about power dynamics and gender stereotypes.
Rated MA15+ Unsolicited Male contains confronting sexual scenes and themes, however Kym Valentine, who plays the lead character of Wendy and is an active Domestic & Family Violence Advocate says; “People should come and see this play because it’s a hell of a ride. I think Ron really captures a very difficult balance between humour and drama.”
Known for her roles as Libby Kennedy on Neighbours and Baby in Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story Onstage, the Tropfest 2019 Best Actor Nominee actress, will be joined by popular improv-comedian Russell Fletcher as Zeke, alongside seasoned Q44 Theatre actors Gabriella Rose-Carter as Chelsea – the sister and Anthony Scundi as Noah – the life coach. Will Atkinson and Andy Barry-Brown will alternate in the role of Marshall – the waiter.
Independent and not-for-profit; Q44 Theatre is a collective of writers, actors and producers who are passionate about making thought-provoking and accessible theatre. Q44 believes in the power of Theatre and storytelling to spark conversations, to make people think more, feel more and laugh more.
Rather than offer a neat resolution, Unsolicited Male presents a number of perspectives and invites the audience to reflect on and discuss the issues, themes and events of the play. “Depending on the angle from which you look at something – and once you have a particular perspective – how does society reinforce that particular perception or challenge it?” asks Suzanne Heywood.
For more information and to book tickets to Unsolicited Male visit: http://www.q44.com.au
