Collaboration with The Hermetic Theatre Company
Another project we are currently working on is a new adaptation for stage of a well known Fyodor Dostoevsky novel. Joseph has collaborated with the Founder and Artistic Director of Hermetic Theatre Company Michael McStay on the translation and adaptation of the novel. The Hermetic Theatre Company is a collective of artists dedicated to innovation in storytelling, merging elements of mythology, philosophy, and the absurd. Michael McStay, is a 2013 graduate of the NIDA acting course and an established writer. The collective has made a name for itself with original works that have combined avant-garde edginess with technical discipline, including over the past year co-productions with Red Line Productions Bright Those Claws That Mar The Flesh, Threnody and the most recent production of Amongst Ruins (Snake Eggs Hatch) all at the Old Fitz Theatre in Woolloomooloo. Recently, the company has begun expanding its repertoire to include adaptations of classic texts. "To this end," Michael says, "a collaboration has been formed with the East Coast Theatre Company and its Founder/Artistic Director Joseph Uchitel, to translate and develop an adaptation of Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel."
My Story - A New Australian Musical
Currently we are working on a number of projects developing new work. Joseph Uchitel has collaborated with the actor and composer Hari Jago and Jane Jago, the author of a recently published novel The Wrong Hand, to create a new Australian musical My Story. It follows a group of children from their early days in primary school into the time when they graduate from high school and face adulthood. The script explores trials and tribulations we confront at school and at home as a part of our growing up process. This is the most poignant and extremely funny story with a very powerful music and extraordinary design ideas. We are very happy to announce that Karla Urizar just joined the team as a Production Designer. You would remember her designs of ECTC productions: Mother and Child, Empress of China and Death Variations. We hope to be able to release more exciting information regarding the development of this project soon!
Russian Egg-Flip - by Stephen Sewell
Stephen Sewells's Russian Egg-Flip is still on the board! We've done a number of workshops of the play, the last one being a two week Residence with NIDA Independent Program. We worked with a great team: Designer Karla Urizar, Composer Basil Hogios, Dramaturge Peter Mathers and an extraordinary cast of actors!