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Entertainment

4 February, 2021

To Kill A Cassowary: JUTE launches 2021 season with the return of killer comedy

Featuring the stellar stage presence of Steven Tandy, Natalie Taylor and Paula Nazarski, the heartwarming comedy, To Kill A Cassowary by Laurie Trott is making a much-anticipated return to launch JUTE’s 2021’s season of plays.


PHOTO: Frontrow Foto
PHOTO: Frontrow Foto

Prematurely cut short by lockdown restrictions in its maiden 2020 season, To Kill A Cassowaryis back in 2021 (5 – 13 March) and destined to delight audiences.

 JUTE Theatre Company’s Artistic Director and CEO Suellen Maunder said calling a halt to last year’s season of To Kill A Cassowaryafter just two sell-out shows was heartbreaking.

“Like everyone else, the future was uncertain, and we had no choice but comply with regulations.  It was hard for audiences and equally, our cast and crew who had been so invested in the delivery of this wonderful production.

 “To Kill A Cassowary was very much ‘unfinished business’ and here we are a year down the track with the great fortune of being able to pick up where we left off.

PHOTO: Frontrow Foto
PHOTO: Frontrow Foto

 “JUTE’s culture and resilience has never been more evident, and I could not think of a more perfect way to celebrate the start of our 30th year of operation than with a remount of To Kill a Cassowary,” Ms Maunder said.

 Written by Mission Beach local and JUTE’s Write Sparks alumnus, Laurie Trott,To Kill A Cassowary is a story about place, family inheritance and the interwoven issues of this small, tropical rainforest community.

 According to Laurie, To Kill A Cassowary applies a good deal of warmth and wit to highlight its more serious themes of legacy, ageism and environmental heritage.

 “This is an engaging and entertaining play of our times and one that focusses predominantly on relationships – relationships not just between people but the land and sea on which we live,” Ms Trott said.

PHOTO: Frontrow Foto
PHOTO: Frontrow Foto

 "For me, writing To Kill a Cassowary was as much about creativity as communication and using the stage to promote public awareness about the urgent need to preserve and conserve the Cassowary Coast.

“Where possible I have included reference to some of the many threats to biodiversity including introduced  species, habitat modification  and loss, unsustainable development, tourism and climate change,” she said.

 From a ramshackle verandah in the rainforest,  To Kill a Cassowary, directed by the award winning Bridget Doyle, is a colourful story about an ageing conservationist father, Amos (played by Steven Tandy) and his pro-development  daughter, Paula(played by Natalie Taylor) who are ready to do battle over a patch of paradise found, also known as the Cassowary Coast.  Throwing a spanner in the works is neighbour,Josie (played by Paula Nazarski) and a rich natural setting abounding in flora and fauna - and the elusive cassowary.

 Director, Bridget Boyle is supported by a stellar cast of three; Steven Tandy (of The Sullivans fame); Natalie Taylor who people  will remember from Here We All Are. Assembled and Paula Nazarski, new to the JUTE stage along with an award-winning creative team who will transform the stage of Bulmba-ja Arts Centre into a verdant rainforest.

 Tickets for To Kill A Cassowary at Bulmba-ja for the season, 5-13 March 2020 can be purchased from jute.com.au | eventbrite.com.au | 4281 6832


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