“Somes’ careful direction and preparation is thought provoking and entertaining watching… keep your eyes peeled for this rising talent” (State of the Arts)
“Stitz’s multiple performances are worth the ticket price alone” (Beat Magazine)
In The Beekeeper Lloyd cordially invites you into his granny flat to get some grub, wet your whistle and learn a thing or two about life, the land and beekeeping.
Based on a true story, Lloyd Beckmann, Beekeeper is the tale of a Queensland battler as told through his grandson’s eyes. The production was created to immerse an audience in an interactive theatre experience. They smell, touch, taste and inhabit the world of Lloyd; creating an intimate and visceral theatrical experience for approximately 30 audience members.
This one-man show has emerged from conversations between Tim Stitz and his grandfather, and traces his lifelong romance with bees through family history, inheritance and the ripening of age. Supported by Carers Victoria, HotHouse Theatre’s A Month in the Country initiative, Full Tilt at the Arts Centre Melbourne, Canberra Theatre Centre and La Mama Explorations, this new Australian production is one not to be missed!
The award-winning creative team behind Lloyd Beckmann, Beekeeper:
Kelly Somes returns to Canberra after six years in Melbourne, having most recently directed a sell-out season of Mary Rachel Brown’s All My Sleep and Waking at La Mama and playing a part in the “genius” (The Advertiser) Melbourne Fringe award-winning team behind The Human Layer.
Green Room award-winning actor Tim Stitz spent 2009 touring to Buenos Aires with In Other Words and Adelaide with Three Dog Night. A new face for Canberra’s theatre audiences – “Stitz is fantastic” (The Age) – and was a series regular on the SBS series Bogan Pride. Jodie Ahrens of Roundangle (four-time Melbourne Fringe award-winners) lends her aromatic talents to the sensory world of Lloyd’s flat, and lauded theatre veterans Jane Woollard and Max Gillies offer their dramaturgical and performative experience to the project.
Green Room Award-winning lighting designer Bronwyn Pringle will illuminate Lloyd’s granny flat and acoustic roots musician Liz Stringer makes her theatre debut – “Stringer’s music is bewitching.within a minute you find yourself spellbound by its sparse, atmospheric charms” (Sunday Herald Sun). The production is also joined by the “awe-inspiring” (Inpress) Neddwellyn Jones of the Melbourne bands Wellyn and The Night Terrors.
Free-Rain Theatre Company Presents
Lloyd Beckmann, Beekeeper
A Two Blue Cherries & Soulart Production
Devised & performed by Tim Stitz
Devised & directed by Kelly Somes
18 – 21 February 2010
Thurs and Fri @ 7:30pm, Sat @ 2pm, Sun @ 5pm
Courtyard Studio, Canberra Theatre Centre
Tickets $24
Bookings: 02 6275 2700 or online www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au
