Premiering next week at the Explosives Factory is The Long Game, a brand-new work directed by Greek Australian Krystalla Pearce and the Greek born Alkisti Pitsaki.
Working for the first time together, writer Sally Faraday and Petra Glieson drew inspiration from the Australian political landscape including the high-profile Britney Higgin’s case, Grace Tame and Julia Gillard’s time in power.
The Long Game tells the fictional story of sisters Esme and Mirana Lyone who grew up among Australian political royalty.
When ‘Uncle’ Byron Hammond sexually assaults 17-year-old Esme, she confesses only to her sister, knowing it could destroy his career.
Years later, Miranda, a rising politician suddenly announces her own historical story of sexual assault involving Byron at Parliament house, similar to Esme’s experience.
Did Miranda deliberately appropriate her sister’s story to give her career a boost in the climate of #metoo, or has the trauma of her own assault caused her to conflate her experience with Esme’s?
What drew them to the material
The Greek duo told Neos Kosmos that Krystalla was approached to direct the work and was immediately taken by the script.
Alkisti came into this project shortly after and the two were already working together on Alkisti’s original bilingual work – a modern retelling of the Ancient Greek myth of Ariadne of Crete.
“There are a lot of crossover themes between the works and we’re thrilled to be bringing both of these works to life together,” they said in a joint statement.
“The Long Game tells an important story without whitewashing or simplifying it. Sally is a brilliant and bold writer who is not afraid to create strong female characters that are also flawed.
“She’s particularly interested in the questions around allyship between women and whether it’s ok to tell a lie and hurt someone for the greater good.”
They said at its core The Long Game is also about family dynamics and what makes or breaks them.
Being Greek artists
As mentioned, both Krystalla and Alkisti are Greek and they feel there is an immediate ease and understanding between them that likely stems from their shared heritage.
“We are both interested in making work that speaks to the cultures in which we live and our cultural backgrounds.”
“That said, being Greek and being Greek-Australian are very different. We feel that works well for us too – Krystalla brings local cultural knowledge and familiarity whereas Alkisti brings a very welcome outside eye to our shared creative practice.”
A very important subject matter
The work aims to examine the public commentary around sexual assault victims and the continuing challenges for women in public life.
“The reality is that violence against women is at an all-time high, the number of femicides is constantly increasing and we are still counting,” the directing duo said.
“Not just here in Australia or Greece but all around the world. Even during our short rehearsal period, we were constantly confronted by news stories, more women coming forward and unfortunately more women that are no longer with us.
“The real stories are merely echoing in the media that are swiftly replaced by new ones.”
They said they aim to restart this conversation with this play.
“About how sexual assault is depicted in the media, in the workplace and, most personally, how it is discussed in our own homes.”
The play will open on June 28 and run through to July 13 at The Explosives Factory in St Kilda, Melbourne.
A Q & A panel event as part of the Theatre Works season will feature VIP experts, guest speakers and advocates.
Tickets can be bought through the Theatre Works website.
