Lismore Theatre Company is preparing for it first show of 2023, Hungry Ghosts, by James May, to be staged Friday and Saturday nights and matinees on 28, 29 and 30 April, and 5, 6 and 7 May.
Hungry Ghosts exposes the heart and soul of the gritty side of life on the fringe of Sydney in the lead up to the 2000 Olympics. It exposes the addictions and obsessions that torture the lives of these often misunderstood people.
Hungry Ghosts is James May’s first full-length play and this will be its premier. James, who is now a Northern Rivers resident, lived in the Darlinghurst-Kings Cross area in Sydney in the 1990s.
“Hungry Ghosts was inspired by the colourful characters I met. As a young queer person, it was a wild place to be. It was lively and fun but risky and dangerous. I was thrilled with Sydney but found it ruthless and raw. Drugs, villains and HIV/AIDS were a constant threat,” James said.
“The title Hungry Ghosts was coined from my own drug experience. In the 1990s, Sydney was changing quickly. I wanted to capture this tumultuous time in the play.”
Director Junia Wulf has selected her cast and rehearsals began in mid-January.
“I’m so excited to be directing my first show with LTC,” Junia said.
“Having been on stage in Neighbourhood Watch, this is a wonderful opportunity to work with a cast of five actors to bring James May’s play to life with the assistance of the highly experienced Sharon Brodie as producer.”
Lily, played by Krystal Winter, is sweet and is doing her best to improve her life. By contrast Elyse Dallinger plays Shayne, a deeply troubled bad egg.
Crystal Amber is Aunt Ruby, the mother to all who wants desperately to reconnect with her own family.
Sarah-Jane Loxton plays Crazy Horse, a little eccentric who oozes with love.
As the only male in the cast, John McPherson plays Lester, the landlord, a seedy character living in the shadow of his mother.
Hungry Ghosts will run over two weekends at Rochdale Theatre Goonellabah. Tickets will soon be available online at www.lismoretheatrecompany.org.au ($25/$20).
Group bookings of 10 or more can be made by contacting jennydowell@hotmail. com or 0402 651 394. Warning: this play is suitable for 18+. It contains adult themes, drug use and coarse language.
This article appeared in the Dunoon and District Gazette, February-March 2023.
