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GRADS (Graduate Dramatic Society) is rehearsing one of the most difficult and controversial plays of its 60-year history: M.Butterfly.

It is based on the real-life story of a French diplomat who falls in love with a Chinese opera diva. However, the diva is not a woman, as the Frenchman believes for 20 years, but a man. Written by David Hwang, M.Butterfly has enjoyed popular runs on Broadway and in London, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for drama and has won numerous awards including the Tony Award for Best Play of the Year.

M.Butterfly is directed by Barry Park and will be performed at the Dolphin Theatre on evenings between 2 - 17 November. UWA graduate Charles McComb plays the diva, Song Liling, and Eliot McCann the diplomat Rene Gallimard.

Charles has been involved in Perth theatre for nine years, professionally and in amateur productions. He won Limelight’s award for best male lead when he played Judas Iscariot in the musical, Jesus Christ Superstar.

“Song is such a complex and challenging character from an acting standpoint,” he said. “The most obvious: she’s a man pretending to be woman. However, this pales in comparison to the numerous layers that are required to build her character. She can be naïve, cruel, calculating and submissive in a matter of moments.”

Eliot, who has been acting for more than 20 years, said one of the big tests of the play would be to make the audience ‘buy’ Gallimard’s story as it is so extraordinary it defies belief.

“Another challenge is playing Gallimard, who we see as a 12 year-old boy, as a student in his 20s, and then as a man in his 40s, 50s and mid-60s,” he said. “Getting these ages ‘right’ and making them distinct for the audience will be demanding.

“Gallimard is a complex character. Initially he is shy and awkward around women, but as the play progresses he becomes over-confident. This ultimately is his downfall and what remains is the broken shell of a once brash personality.”

GRADS, a not-for-profit community theatre group, enables regular theatregoers and students to see the best plays performed live at affordable prices in a professional theatre. The group welcomes new members.

For bookings to see M.Butterfly, which contains adult themes and sexual references, inquire by email .

Published in UWA News , 15 October 2012