This man is heading in the Right direction

HE’S in control, but he’s on the edge. Meet A Prudent Man — the subject of a darkly comedic political thriller/satire coming to Hobart next week.

The man in question is a leader. A man in a snappy suit. An athlete in a bad tracksuit. He’s an amalgamation of recent history’s conservative politicians, and he’s about to discover what it means to be right — in more ways than one.

What makes the Trumps, Abbotts and Hansons of the world tick? What would happen if their world started to shift ever so slightly?

Embodying their slogans, mannerisms and headlines, A Prudent Man isn’t about one particular politician or event, but a speculative piece inspired by real-life events and people.

A Prudent Man stars actor Lyall Brooks, who has previously appeared in productions by companies including the MTC and Victorian Opera, and been seen on Neighbours and HBO’s The Leftovers.

Brooks has received three Green Room award nominations, for Savages, The Pride and The Thing About Men.

Written and directed by Katy Warner — who won the 2016 AWGIE for Best Children’s Theatre (for Reasons to Stay Inside) and the 2017 Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize (for The Trip) — A Prudent Man was a huge hit with both critics and audiences at the 2016 Melbourne Fringe Festival, winning the coveted People’s Choice Award ahead of more than 400 other productions.

It was also nominated for Best Writing at the 2016 Green Room Awards.

Melbourne theatre company Lab Kelpie presents A Prudent Man in the Theatre Royal Backspace from 7.30pm next Wednesday and Thursday (March 28 and 29).

Tickets are $45, $35 concession, go to www.theatreroyal.com.au or phone 6233 2299 for bookings.