Preview-Den of Thieves-Aurora Theatre
16-1-14
By: Meaghan McGurgan
“Let's just say that by naming characters "Bootchie", "Little Tuna" and "Big Tuna", and with references to unseen characters like "Joey the Turtle", you shouldn't go into the theatre expecting an evening of gritty urban realism and desperate self-reckoning.”- Neil Runcieman
Fans of Aurora Theatre will be excited to know that they are producing another play this month at the McAulay in Wanchai. Den of Thieves is the story of a shoplifter named Maggie looking to change her life. She and the other characters end up in a 12-step program to change their bad habits. When things don't go quite to plan they find themselves at the mercy of Louie "Little Tuna". The penalty for stealing from the Tuna is death. Tied to chairs, they must now fight for their lives by out-arguing each other as to who deserves to live. Verbal gymnastics and the struggle for self-awareness, self acceptance and self love produce a high-octane battle for survival.
It is written by Steven Adley Guirgis, a New York playwright with a penchant for touching the taboo. Audience members may have seen Aurora Theatre’s other Guirgis production last year, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. Judas was the 2013 Heckler winner for Best Play. Producer/Director Nicole Garbellini obviously has a fondness for Guirgis’ work: “I know, I can't get enough of this guy!!! Guirgis entertains, and gives something to think about. So far, Aurora Theatre's favourite recipe.”
Nicole goes on to gush her fondness for Guirgis, comparing his writing style to Tarantino in the way he never shies away from controversial topics like sex, religion or abuse. Den of Thieves is another example of his work that pulls from real world issues to create a realm of the absurd for the actors to play in – but there’s more to it than mere absurdity. In Garbellini’s own words, “Den of Thieves, like any other play by Guirgis, is about redemption and second chances. It is about what our characters would like to be as opposed to what they are. Maggie works her way out of misery by joining a twelve-steps program to recover from a life of theft and food bingeing. Paul, her sponsor, has faced the same problems. All the characters share their own interior battle, yet they are prone to repeat the same mistakes.”
The play is full of local talent. Cast includes veterans of the Hong Kong stage and some new faces, which is always nice to see, with Tina Ganguly as Maggie, Eric Krueger as Paul, Joms Ortega as Flaco, Angie Palmer as Boochie, Andrew Ladommatos as Sal, David Ogilvie as Little Tuna and Neil Runcieman as Big Tuna. Andy Burt is handling the lighting design for the production and Linda Davy and Hannah Lochhead are stage managing the production.
You may have noticed that some of the characters have really strange names. When asked what the deal was, David Olgivie replied, “I guess it comes from the typical American-Italian gangster movies where everyone has a nickname.” Eric Krueger added “The quirkier names are more for show than to hide the identities of those particular people in their own professions.”
The rehearsal process for this play has been interesting for the cast to stretch their chops and try new things. Angie Palmer plays a stripper with a third grade reading level which, she says, was the complete opposite of her normal self. The rest of the cast play various levels of psychopaths and trouble makers making it a very liberating experience as a performer. “It's great fun to work with a talented and very encouraging group of people and to have a role where you can let go and enjoy yourself on stage...” says Neil Runcieman.
Den of Thieves is a play for people who love seeing something a little different on stage. It also contains a lot of adult language. Best keep the kiddies at home for this one but methinks the boyfriend who is often bored by the theatre may love the violent imagery and shock value in Den of Thieves. It sounds like your typical mob comedy but with a dark twist at the end.
Den of Thieves is playing at the McAulay Theatre January 22nd through 25th. Showtimes are at 8pm and the matinee on Saturday is at 3pm. Tickets are 280HKD and there’s additional discounts for students, the elderly and people with disabilities. Due to the strong language in the show it is not recommended for those under the age of fourteen. The cast recommends you dress warmly as the theatre is affectionately known amongst the acting community as “The Ninth Circle of Hell..."
For more information about this production, click here. To enter the giveaway for tickets to this production, click here. You can also find out more about Aurora Theatre at their website.
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