This landmark play follows the story of Ned Weeks, a gay, Jewish writer who takes on the establishment, the government and the gay community in his fight to have the AIDS epidemic taken seriously.
'The Normal Heart' is directed by Michelle Carey and performed at Brisbane's Ad Astra, which is an intimate, professional, ‘little blackbox’ theatre in Fortitude Valley, allowing audiences to feel they are right there in the room. Michelle’s vision for this performance relies on only four pieces of furniture, to just allow Larry Kramer’s words, and the power of the actors, to tell the story.
“This is a story that must continue to be told,” Michelle says. “The struggle, horror and discrimination of the gay community during the AIDS crisis of the early 1980s is interwoven with a stunningly tender love story between two men. It is being driven by a dream team of passionate performers and creatives. This is what theatre is for!”
Madeleine Little is in the powerful role of Dr Emma Brookner. Madeleine is sharing the role with Janelle Bailey. “'The Normal Heart' invites audiences to be irrevocably moved by its authenticity and depth,” Madeleine says. “Very rarely do we see a disabled character as powerful, wise, and driven as Dr Emma Brookner. It’s an honour to be a small part of this unmissable, incredibly important – and real – story.”
Performing the role of Felix Turner, is Felix Jarvis. “A huge reason why I wanted to do the play was because of the fantastic things I was hearing about Gregory, Michelle, Anna and the team at Ad Astra. When I saw there was an opportunity to audition for them, I pounced at it,” Felix explains.
“The other reason I wanted to do this particular production is Kramer’s powerful text. I’ve been doing a lot of comedies lately which nourish the soul, but this is something I’ve never done before, this is theatre about human rights. This is theatre that’s keeping people alive and that’s the greatest gift an actor can ever get.”
Ad Astra’s Executive Producer, and Producer of ‘The Normal Heart’, Gregory J Wilken is also in the lead role of Ned Weeks. “I love Ned. His passion, his anger, his determination to not be shut down in his attempts to get AIDS taken seriously by anybody, including his brother, the Mayor and the Government as well as his very own community, is inspiring.” Gregory says.
“It is approximately 40 years since this was first performed, and now is the perfect time for it to be retold when people have witnessed all that was done by governments and communities to fight COVID-19 compared to what didn’t happen when a virus hit a community that many felt deserved it”.
'The Normal Heart' plays at Ad Astra Theatre Company (Fortitude Valley) until 27 November, with a special performance on World AIDS Day, 1 December. When buying tickets, use code 'FROOTY' for 20 per cent off.
