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As 2022 marks the 40th anniversary of the first reported cases of HIV/AIDS, the State Theatre Company Of South Australia has mounted a new production of Larry Kramer’s landmark play, The Normal Heart, starring Mitchell Butel (The Mikado) and Ainsley Melham (Kiss Of The Spiderwoman), with direction by Helpmann Award-winner, Dean Bryant.
Kramer’s The Normal Heart is somewhat autobiographical, mirroring the author’s advocacy for gay rights, and helping found the AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power (ACT-UP) through lead character, Ned Weeks. This much-acclaimed play is set during the first years of the epidemic in NYC, with Weeks gathering support from his likeminded friends in order to expose the truths about AIDS – then known as the “gay plague”.
Leading man Mitchell Butel believes The Normal Heart to be one of the most relevant plays of the century. “The emotional rollercoaster that the play takes the audience on is taxing as well. The death of friends, loved ones, and the constant battle against ineffective governments and media… they are all big things to deal with,” he says.
“We’re lucky these days to have gay content, especially surrounding this period, as a staple part of mainstream media. In preparing, I watched It’s a Sin and also researched the period through Randy Shilt’s story And The Band Played On. I also found David France’s documentary How To Survive A Plague a fantastic eye-opener.”
Ainsley Melham takes on the role of Ned’s AIDS-effected partner, Felix. Melham is known for playing major roles in theatre including Aladdin, Xanadu and Cinderella. Melham hopes to do justice to those who fought and battled for LGBTQIA+ rights in the past. “For me, the greatest challenge is ensuring that my version of Felix pays respect to that person who inspired him…
“These events were transformative for the queer community, and we would not be where we are today, if it weren’t for the brave souls who endured and fought for us during this time,” he says.
As a young gay actor, Melham also sees the relevance of the story in our modern world, especially given the current social unrest and global crises.
“The story of a community coming together to fight for their rights and their lives, is universal,” he says. “We see it again and again in our world today. Trans rights, Black Lives Matter, the conflict in Ukraine, the list goes on. And let’s face it, the stigma attached to people living with HIV today hasn’t disappeared, and while that is still present, there’s room for this story.
Director Dean Bryant has gained much acclaim in both local and international theatre, with productions such as Sweet Charity, Little Shop Of Horrors, Kiss Of The Spider Woman and Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert: The Musical.
“It feels very different to look back at a time when to be gay, was so shameful,” says Bryant. “This disease was viewed as either unimportant to the vast majority or considered ‘what we deserved’ from a cruel minority.
The Normal Heart plays at Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre, 30 Sep – Oct 15
For more information visit the State Theatre Company website.
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To read more about this exclusive offer, visit the website.
October 14, 2022 Post Updated to add #sponsored
