Acclaimed Australian actress Helen Morse (Picnic at Hanging Rock, Caddie, A Town like Alice) comes to the Hopgood Theatre as part of a regional tour of Sundowner, an inter-generational story about the onset of dementia.
Written by David Denborough, the play combines theatre, dance and physicality in a story of lament and at times, grief and sorrow. This is a story of love: love of family, love of history and love of life.
Through the eyes of three generations, Sundowner tells the story of many Australian families. If a loved one starts to lose their memories, what role can we play in holding on to them? And how can we care for them in the present while honouring their memory?
Helen Morse, whose late mother had Alzheimer’s, stars alongside Jackie Rees, Gerard Van Dyck, Timothy Ohl, Michelle Heaven, South Australian Gabrielle Nankivell, Stuart Christie, Craig Bary and the Tivoli Lovelies.
Director Kate Denborough undertook a series of one-on-one interviews with people who were currently caring for, or who had previously cared for, a loved one with dementia.
“Having not had a lot of first-hand experience in relation to Alzheimer’s, I wanted to be able to understand more about this journey that has been described as the longest farewell,” she said. “I was pregnant at the time and was consequently very aware of the cycle and frailty of life. I was unprepared and humbled, however, by the honesty and the courage displayed by each person who shared their particular journey with me. I found the experience to be deeply moving and affecting. Each discussion not only touched on memories and loss, but also on moments of celebration and joy.
“It has been a great privilege to create a performance work in direct consultation with those who know most about dementia, and to be able to give a voice to an often unspoken subject. We hope that Sundowner can reflect the truths spoken during the community consultations and forums. We also hope that this show can pay tribute to those with Alzheimer’s and to the carers whom we have met during the creative process.”
Dementia is often viewed as a taboo subject and one which few playwrights or directors are willing to tackle. The result of two years of research, community engagement and creative development, Sundowner presents challenging subject matter in an accessible and engaging way that has had a powerful impact on audiences.
Tour info:
Port Pirie – Northern Festival Centre – May 10, 11am & 7.30pm
Noarlunga – Hopgood Theatre – May 13, 6.30pm & May 14, 11am
Mount Gambier – Helpmann Theatre – May 18, 11am & 7.30pm
Tickets: $39 Adult; $34 Concession. Book through the venue
Photo credit: Jeff Busby
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