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Friday, 5 July 2013

It's 1941, Australian soldiers are fighting overseas and Geraldton locals dig air-raid trenches in their backyards, just in case.

The story of one boy growing up in the frightened town is being brought to life by GRADS at The University of Western Australia.

The Merry-Go-Round in the Sea - a classic of Australian literature - was written by UWA graduate and Geraldton son Randolph Stow in 1965, and has been adapted for the stage by Dickon Oxenburgh and Andrew Ross. It is directed by Amanda Crewes and will be on at UWA's Dolphin Theatre from 19 July.

The play introduces audiences to the Coram family. In 1941, Rob Coram is six. The war feels far removed from his world of aunties and cousins and the beautiful, dry landscape. But when his favourite, older cousin, Rick, leaves to join the army, the war comes a step closer.

While Rick, who is interned by the Japanese, struggles to survive, Rob struggles to overcome the void created by his cousin's absence and to understand the disillusioned man who returns. The merry-go-round, which is cleverly represented on the stage, is a recurring motif, symbolising the unity of the family and the circle of life.

The old merry-go-round that stands for Rob's dream of Utopia (the security of his family and of the land that is his home) begins to disintegrate before his eyes.

The Merry-Go-Round in the Sea is at 7.30pm on July 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 31 and August 1, 2 and 3. Bookings can be made online at https://www.theatres.uwa.edu.au/events

Media references

Barry Park (UWA Graduates' Dramatic Society, GRADS) [email protected]
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783

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