Stage 6 drama
moved Reading 'october 'by ian wilding
at the Armidale Play House
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Stage 6 Drama
Stage 6 Drama
October by Ian Wilding
Tim, an airline pilot and Angela, his young, beautiful wife, live the successful urban dream in a streamlined apartment in the inner city. One night, a friend of Angela's, Dez, pays them a visit. There's just one problem: Angela flatly denies she's ever met him, and despite Dez's growing protestations, she wants him out. Rejected and humiliated, Dez leaves. But not before making some seemingly ominous threats. Now Angela and Tim are having trouble readjusting. Dez has thrown their comfortable lives out of kilter and fear of future incursions escalates. Enter Dick, private eye – smarmy and menacing by turns, a Man who Makes Things Happen. Though he charges by the hour and his approach is definitely unconventional, Dick may be exactly what the situation requires...
This is not an easy play. It asks difficult questions about grief, trauma, family, violence and the complexities of human relationships. Rather than offering simple answers, it invites audiences to reflect, question and engage deeply with the issues presented.
Our students rose magnificently to that challenge.
Over this term, they collaborated not only as performers, but also as directors, designers, technicians and theatre-makers, taking responsibility for every aspect of the production. Their thoughtful performances, imaginative design choices, and deep understanding of the text created a compelling theatrical experience that will hopefully remain with the audience long after the curtains close.
We could not be prouder of the courage, maturity and artistry demonstrated by this group of young women. They reminded us that theatre has the unique ability to entertain while also encouraging empathy, conversation and a deeper understanding of ourselves and others.
An introuduction from our Head of CAPA, Mrs Jo Wysel,
An introuduction from our Head of CAPA, Mrs Jo Wysel,
I would like to provide some brief context for October by Ian Wilding.
Drama has always been a powerful way for societies to examine themselves. Theatre invites us to step into the lives of others, to grapple with complex questions, and to consider aspects of the human condition that can often be difficult, uncomfortable, or confronting. While entertainment is certainly part of theatre's purpose, its deeper value lies in its ability to foster empathy, provoke reflection, and encourage meaningful conversation.
October is a contemporary Australian play that explores themes of grief, isolation, trauma, family relationships, memory, and the lasting impact of violence. It asks challenging questions about how people cope with loss and how communities respond when tragedy occurs. The play does not offer simple answers. Instead, it invites us to sit with uncertainty, complexity, and the often messy realities of being human.
In keeping with the playwright's intentions, this production contains mature themes, confronting subject matter, references to violence, and some strong language. For this reason, we recommended the performance for audiences aged 15 years and over.
We encourage you to consider not only the story being told, but also the theatrical choices our students have made to communicate meaning. Throughout this project they have explored the elements of production, taking responsibility for aspects of directing, design, publicity, technical theatre and performance. What you are about to see is the culmination of many weeks of collaboration, creativity, problem-solving and artistic risk-taking.
Theatre cannot solve the world's problems, but it can help us understand them. It can challenge assumptions, illuminate hidden experiences, and remind us of our shared humanity. In that sense, every story has the potential to change the world, one audience member at a time.
Thank you for supporting our students and their work.
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