Doomsday comedy is a riot

Bondi actor Stephen James King will star in An Impending Rupture of the Belly, in his first stage role since returning from studying at New York’s prestigious Julliard School.

The play was written by acclaimed US writer Matt Pelfrey (Cockroach Nation, Terminus Americana, Skins).

King plays Clay Stilts, a newlywed who becomes nervous at the thought of bringing a child into a world of constant threats – nuclear terrorism, bird flu, killer earthquakes, riots, smallpox and crop dusters flying over Dodger Stadium – and decides to fortify his home.

A battle with a neighbour who refuses to curb his dog escalates into violence and Stilts’ world of obsession and paranoia spirals out of control.

A “newishly” wed King related to his character’s concern for the future.

“It is something on my mind too. I wonder how many people think of their children as 80-year-olds and the world they will live in. It was an easy thing to tap into, to empathise with,” he said.

But despite the dark themes, King insists “it is a comedy, not a doomsday”.

He welcomed the opportunity to work with the play’s director, Stephen Lloyd-Coombs, a former classmate from Newtown High School of Performing Arts.

“Stephen asked me to do the play and I said ‘yes’ before I even knew anything about it. Then I read it and it was a great comedy – very funny and topical. It’s really well-written and well-crafted,” he said.

Having spent eight years overseas, King is re-establishing himself in the Australian acting industry but hasn’t ruled out a return to the US.

“I’ve entered the Green Card Lottery and I still have representation over there but I really like living in Sydney. I’m born and bred in Bondi, and now I’m living poor in Bondi.”

An Impending Rupture of the Belly is at Newtown Theatre, Cnr of Bray and King Sts, Newtown from May 20 to June 4. ($22 – $28). Book on 8507 3034 or www.newtowntheatre.com.au.

– By Nerissa Penfold