GOING TO THE MAX
TOM VOLLING A HEART-warming story about an Aussie battler’s journey through the outback will be brought to life at a Cairns theatre next month.
is based on the true story of Broken Hill taxi driver Max Bell, who was diagnosed with stomach cancer and decided to end his life with dignity through the Northern Territory’s voluntary euthanasia law.
The laidback, old-style cabbie’s final journey, which took place in the early 1990s, from the mining town to Darwin is laced with laconic humour.
Max sells everything he owns, says goodbye to his beloved neighbour Polly and drives 3000km north, meeting a range of outback characters.
Director Kevin West has adapted the poignantly tragic tale to be staged at the Rondo Threat in Edge Hill.
Cairns Little Theatre president Lynn Cropp, who has several cameos in the show, said the play was “really classic” and “iconic”.
“The tough issues it addresses get softened by that larrikin and self-effacing style of humour,” she said.
“That beautiful balance that you get in well-written script and theatre makes it really work and makes it a wonderful night’s entertainment.”
Local actor Michael Price plays the lead role as Max, while Michael Greed and Chandra Ennis also feature.
“I think people will go away with that feeling that it has made them think and go really deep on this.
“Or they can just look at it and go ‘that was just a lot of fun’ and have a laugh.”
Two years ago, the 2003 play was immortalised by producer Jeremy Sims on the big-screen starring Jacki Weaver and Michael Caton.
Ms Cropp said Far Northern revellers should get tickets early.
“If history repeats itself, often tickets sell quickly when you get a play that follows a movie people are already familiar with,” she said. HOTEL CASINO