BEST AND WORST OF ISLAND LIFE

Hobart playwright Alison Mann is beating the live theatre downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing two of her works to new audiences here and overseas.

One of Tasmania’s most well-known theatre writers, the New Town resident has used her position as Blue Cow’s writer in residence, and opportunities from the COVID-19 pandemic, to make the best of a difficult year for the arts sector.

Mann has been selected to be a part of the Come to Where I Am program through Sydney-based company Critical Stages Touring, in partnership with the London-based theatre company Paines Plough.

This initiative asks regional writers to create a short video piece responding to the pandemic.

Her work is based on her experiences with a family member undergoing chemotherapy during COVID-19 and is one of only 16 to be selected around Australia.

The idea juxtaposes Hobart, beautiful and protected by the worst of the virus by being an island, against the complexity of healthcare in a pandemic and a need to protect patients and frontline workers.

“Although fictionalised, it is based on an experience I encountered when assisting a family member going through chemotherapy recently,” Mann says.

“The 10-minute piece explores the practical challenges of supporting a loved one when they are isolated in hospital for treatment and as their carer wanting to be with them.

“It’s very exciting to tell something with so much immediacy, there is a quick turnaround to complete the work from start to finish so I hope audiences will really relate to the currency of the story.”

The play will be produced as a video postcard, filmed on location in Hobart and streamed by Critical Stages Touring and Paines Plough’s websites.

The first set of stories is due to be launched on August 19 and the work will eventually be performed on stage when touring productions return to venues across the country.

Critical Stages Touring chief executive Chris Bendall says with so many talented writers all across Australia, this is an opportunity to highlight the voices of regional writers.

Hobart theatregoers will likely be familiar with Mann’s previous work, with her play The Surgeon’s Hands, developed through Blue Cow Theatre’s Cowshed writers program, performed in 2016 as a Blue Cow production.

Mann is working with Blue Cow Theatre on finalising the script of her latest work, Amy’s Tattoo, which is slated to be produced next year by Blue Cow.

“I’ve also been invited to attend the Women’s Playwrights International Conference in Montreal, Canada, in 2022, where an extract of The Surgeon’s Hands will be read,” she said.

“I really hope I can get there to see it first-hand.”