Rock Surfers move to the beach
Image: Justin Stewart Cotta, Leland Kean and Ella Scott Lynch / Photo: Edwin Monk
One of Sydney’s leading independent theatre companies kicked off their 2013 season in style this week, with a change of scenery.
The Tamarama Rock Surfers (TRS), who celebrated their launch on Monday, have moved location from The Old Fitzroy Theatre to Bondi Pavilion.
Rock Surfers Artistic Director and CEO, Leland Kean said the company is excited to be moving to Bondi Beach.
“Have you seen the view from the theatre at the pavilion? If I could have moved our offices to the finger wharf then maybe we would have stayed in Woolloomooloo but the surf hardly ever breaks there,” he said.
The Rock Surfers have produced work from the likes of Brendan Cowell, John A D Fraser and Suzie Miller.
“Having the opportunity to showcase an indie theatre company like Arthur alongside the work of playwrights David Williamson, Toby Schmitz and Lally Katz is wonderful,” Mr Kean said.
The Rock Surfers have been running for 16 years and presented over 140 shows at The Old Fitzroy Hotel, Stables Theatre and The Opera House.
Mr Kean said Bondi residents were in for a treat.
“The season is the most robust, challenging and exciting season we have programmed while I’ve been Artistic Director of TRS. It is packed full with the best independent talent from around Australia along with some of the most exciting writers, both established and emerging in the country,” he said.
With the premiere of over 50 new Australian plays under their belt, Mr Kean said it is more important than ever to foster local talent.
“It is essential to our growth as a nation and society that we keep telling our stories, keep opening the conversation about who we are, and keep that conversation as broad and as far reaching as possible,” he said.
“We are a massive nation, both in land mass and diversity. We need to explore that and also show it to the world. That comes from our writers and thinkers. It’s a national health issue for me.”
