Memories, trauma set centre stage
The cast of Crunchy Silk, (from left) Zach Hall, Shannon Burnett and Kimberley Buchan, in rehearsal at The Globe Theatre. Photo: supplied
The Globe Theatre will begin its 2025 season next week with dark and experimental play Crunchy Silk, by Jess Sayer.
The production will be led by young director Jackson Rosie, and will be presented by a strong local cast comprising Shannon Burnett, Zach Hall, and Kimberley Buchan for a short season from May 1-4.
In a world delicately stitched together by childhood fantasies and hidden traumas, Astrid (Burnett) clings to her own reality — one woven from fabric scraps, whispered secrets and an obsession with chopsticks.
Her safe space is shared with her loyal and enigmatic companion Marlo (Hall) — who promises to protect her from the truths that lurk just beyond the edges of her mind.
But when Olivia (Buchan) arrives, persistent and probing, the threads of Astrid's world begin to unravel.
As memories slip through the cracks, a haunting question emerges: what is real, and what has been carefully crafted to be forgotten?
This production of Crunchy Silk is the first by the Globe Theatre and the first directed by Rosie, who received an Emerging Artist at this year's Dunedin Theatre Awards.
The show also features a set by award-winning designer Sofie Welvaert and lighting by Ella Court.
Rosie said Crunchy Silk played with shadows and often used scenes in the dark.
"The shadows play a large part in the script.
"We have a few scenes where the only source of light is a flashlight being used on stage, and it's been really fun to play with that," Rosie said.
Performances of Crunchy Silk will be staged at the Globe Theatre, London St, from Thursday, May 1, to Saturday, May 3, at 7.30pm, with a matinee at 4pm on Sunday, May 4.
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