Red Line Productions have a whole new life into the space at the Old Fitzroy Theatre. Their latest works are actor focused and illuminating the actor’s capacity for character. Dolores, a dark comedy, set in Rhode Island, America with themes of family, love, relationships, resilience and the grim reality of domestic violence.
“The writer of the play Edward Allen Baker was writing about Irish Catholic family backgrounds. There is a history in their families going way back of difficulty,” explains Janine Watson who plays Sandra, the younger sister of Dolores (Kate Box) in this two character play.
“Dolores means great sorrow. Sandra means defender of man. Dolores is a wonderful character, brutally funny, with a lot of really recognisable human traits. She represents a great sorrow within the part of us that gets hurt. Sandra the protector is the one that puts the barricades up and tries to keep everyone safe. She’s got real caustic humour,” says Watson.
The play is quite explosive. It’s one conversation that takes up about 40 minutes between these two sisters. Family is innate in this play, it’s what the genesis of it is. The family and the love is really implicit in the conversation these two sisters are having.
“The best thing about the play is the depth of humour and sadness that these women go to- the emotional arc is beautiful and there’s a human laughter to it that can only come from subject matter that’s tough,” explains Watson, “Dolores is original, gritty and cutting edge.”
Apr 28-May 9, Old Fitzroy Theatre, Cathedral St, Woolloomooloo, $22+b.f, oldfitztheatre.com
