16 - 26 FEBRUARY 2022
BETTY is a harrowing and heartfelt exploration of dementia through a complex mother/daughter relationship, challenged by cultural clashes and long-buried secrets. Though it explores hard-hitting subject matter, BETTY is unapologetic, candid, and incredibly humorous; its hilarity adding a much-needed contrast to the weight of loss and tragedy.
Although never close, expat Lucy returns home to care for her ailing mother, Rose, and is launched headfirst into the unfiltered reality of her mother’s dementia. Rose’s vivid memories of her home country Thailand and the horror of her exile find their way into her suburban Melbourne nursing home, and the boundaries between past, present, living and spiritual unravel.
As the fabric of Lucy and Rose’s fraught relationship is smashed open, Rose's rapid decline places a sense of urgency on the many unanswered questions of the past. Inherited family trauma, cultural assimilation, loneliness, abuse, blame and misunderstanding are all laid bare.
---
Although ‘Betty' is drawn from some of the playwright’s own lived experiences, please note that artistic license has been used to create compelling and dynamic theatre.
VENUE
Theatre Works
DURATION
60 MINUTES
WARNINGS
15+ adult themes, coarse language, sexual references references to drug abuse, child abuse, and suicide
DATES & TIMES
Wednesday 16 February, 7:30pm Preview Night
Thursday 17 February, 7:30pm Opening Night
Friday 18 February, 7:30pm
Saturday 19 February, 7:30pm
Tuesday 22 February, 7:30pm
Wednesday 23 February, 7:30pm
Thursday 24 February, 7:30pm
Friday 25 February, 7:30pm
Saturday 26 February, 7:30pm
Written and Created by
JULES ALLEN
Directed by
IAIN SINCLAIR
Performed by
JULES ALLEN AND SALLY MCKENZIE
Dramaturgy by
IAIN SINCLAIR
Production Design
CLAUDIA MIRABELLO
Sound Design
DANNI A ESPOSITO
Assistant Sound Designer
TALLULAH GORDON
Lighting Designer
EMMA LOCKHART-WILSON
Stage Manager
ASHLEIGH WALWYN
Producer
LAUREN BENNETT
Publicity by
ELEANOR HOWLETT (SASSY RED PR)
Photos by
UNDERGROUND MEDIA
Supported by the City of Port Phillip Cultural Development Fund
“Jules Allen is a playwright with enormous potential. Her debut play, 'Slipped through the Cracks’ was award winning and absolutely stunning. [Her work] is deeply truthful and nuanced.” HANNIE RAYSON