NAFA goes full throttle
FULL Throttle Theatre Company is offering double helpings of theatre for NAFA this year with both an adult production and children’s show present by its youth arm Props Youth Theatre.
Also doing double duty is the Millican family.
Dad Gerard is playing Lenny, the tragic main character in Of Mice and Men, while daughter Dominique plays the wonderful Rabbit in Winnie the Pooh.
At 12 years old, Dominique is a veteran of many productions with Props Youth Theatre but this is only Gerard’s second acting role after spending many years as a theatre dad.
Luckily, in his first role Gerard got to act along side his daughter in Townsville Little Theatre’s recent production of The Philadelphia Story.
Of Mice and Men director Samuel Audas-ryan, 22, hasn’t let his youth stop him tackling challenging play.
“Of Mice and Men has been on my mind for years now,” Audas-ryan said. “I was thinking of directing this play before I had even had a chance to direct a full-length play.
“I never thought I would be directing plays at 22 let alone such a beloved classic.
“It has been a daunting role to do this play justice, but I have had so much fun bringing my vision to life.
“The cast of this play have been treasures to work with. I can only imagine what it’s like to have a 22-yearold telling you what to do and critiquing your work, but they take it with a smile on their faces.”
John Steinbeck’s tale of a couple of drifters and best friends attempting to achieve the American dream during the Great Depression still resonates with modern audiences.
“The story of brotherhood and friendship that underlines this play is something that always attracts me to a play,” Audas-ryan said.
“The love that Lennie and George have for each other is truly beautiful and is shown in such a real and unadulterated way.”
Steinbeck used Of Mice and Men to critique the way minority peoples were treated.
“Each character has a moment of reflection and anger at the way they are treated,” Audas-ryan said.
“It was a beautiful moment to read the book and realise that this social commentary was happening back in the 1930s.”
Of Mice and Men runs until July 2 while Winnie the Pooh runs from June 29 to July 3.
Tickets for the productions are available at nafa-tsv.com.au