CHERISH & RAINBOW FAMILIES FORUM
New Theatre is celebrating this year’s Mardi Gras with an exciting series of events. Cherish is a rehearsed reading that explores parenting and surrogacy. The story follows Tom and William who want to have a baby. Tom has already fathered two children with his friend Jess. In exchange Jess has agreed to be a surrogate for his child. But once pregnant, she has second thoughts …
“There’s something of a modern tragedy to it,” explains actor Barry French who plays William. “We did a reading and everyone was really moved by the complexity of four people trying to be true to themselves and the incredible stress and strain that it puts on them and their relationships. That’s why we brought in the forum afterwards.”
Rainbow Families is a free forum that will follow Cherish. The GLBTQ panel includes parents, surrogates, a lawyer and a journalist.
“A lot of the problems that arise in the play are because we don’t have protections of surrogacy and gay marriage in the law. We’ve got to start discussing the issues before we can formulate a strategy. It’s about constantly putting the pressure on the social issues, discussing and trying to find solutions.”
Feb 16, New Theatre, 542 King St, Newtown, $10, (door sales only), 9519 3403, newtheatre.org.au
