Freak Winds

Determined to revive the seminal productions of its edgy history, Red Line Productions has managed to lure Marshall Napier’s classic Freak Winds back to the Old Fitzroy Theatre.

In a deserted neighbourhood on a stormy night, brash insurance salesman Henry Crumb (Ben O’Toole) invades the home of the reclusive Ernest (Napier) and his enigmatic companion Myra (Anna Bamford). Before long, the evening takes on a series of surprising and increasingly macabre turns, blending humour with genuine horror in the claustrophobic venue that is ‘the Old Fitz’.

“It’s the ideal venue for a play like this”, says Napier, who having created the play, is also acting and directing. From its humble beginnings, Freak Winds has found audiences internationally, including a season in New York. “The exposure was unexpected”, admits Napier. “When I wrote it, I genuinely thought it would have a very small audience. It’s hardly mainstream but its appeal was a lot broader than I had imagined”.

A writing twist brought upon by a nasty accident has seen some last minute changes to the storyline. “I smashed my tibia so I had to do a rewrite to accommodate my incapacity”, says Napier.

For the squeamish, the back row might be the best seat in the house. (GW)

Until 11 April, Tuesday – Saturday, 7:30pm, Sunday 5pm, Old Fitzroy Theatre, 129 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo, $32, www.oldfitztheatre.com, 0422198955