The Lighthouse Girl Saga

Based on the novels by award-winning author Dianne Wolfer.

From the company that brought you A Fortunate Life and SYDNEY II: Lost and Found, THEATRE 180 presents another powerful fusion of live theatre and cinema. The Lighthouse Girl Saga is a sweeping story of ordinary people living in extraordinary times: a tale of courage, resilience, hope and love.

A bold adaptation by two of WA’s leading and award-winning playwrights, Jenny Davis OAM and Hellie Turner, this epic production blends four award-winning novels by West Australian writer, Dianne Wolfer: Lighthouse Girl, Light Horse Boy, In the Lamplight and The Last Light Horse into the most compelling theatrical event of our times.

Striking visuals, evocative sound and innovative staging transports the audience with the First AIF convoy as it embarks from King George sound and farewells Australia from the beacon of the lighthouse at Breaksea Island, to the hell of Gallipoli, the mud in the trenches at the Western Front, a nurse’s compassion in rural England and peaceful horizons in country Victoria. Journey with Fay, Charlie, Jim, Rose and Sandy, the only warhorse to return to Australia of the 136,000 sent to war, across seas and through the mire of war as their intersecting stories culminate in the forging of the ANZAC spirit and a love that conquers all.

Form and Style

Presented in our unique CineStage format which combines the immediacy of theatre with the visual impact of cinema, a 16k laser projector is set up behind a portable cinema screen with a stage in front, to provide top quality cinematic images as a backdrop to the live action. Coupled with surround sound and side lighting for a truly immersive experience, a cast of three takes the audience on an epic journey as we chart the interconnected stories of the main characters from Australia and across the ocean to the theatres of the Great War in Turkey, France and England. Combining scene work, monologues and direct address, the cast take on multiple roles and employ a range of theatre styles including physical theatre and puppetry, switching characters in a fluid and engaging way, often with the simple change of a hat, scarf or other costume item. Once on the cast never leave the stage, with all costume and character changes taking place in front of the audience and often mid-sentence, and with the cast at times interacting with the imagery on screen which contains archival photographs and video, along with specifically-sourced material. With its roots in ‘suitcase theatre’, the form is highly-entertaining, agile and built for touring.

Community Engagement

Shadow a professional theatre company!

Students will have the opportunity to shadow Artistic Director, and Director of The Lighthouse Girl Saga, Stuart Halusz, as the team completes the bump-in to the venue. They will gain an insight into what it takes to create a CineStage production from Page-to-Stage, including all the specific requirements for combining live theatre with film, and then adapting this for regional touring. They will learn about the artistic considerations of directing three actors in multiple roles, as well as the technical set up and how we communicate the show file signals from QLAB to the lights, sound and projector.

We require the students to be wearing enclosed footwear. There will be a lot of observing and listening, and many opportunities to ask questions. This is not a ‘practical’ workshop and the students won’t be involved in lifting/carrying any equipment, running cables etc.

Free workshop

REVIEWS

Audience Testimonials:

‘To witness Dianne Wolfer’s award-winning Light Series of books live on stage through a fabulous adaptation by award-winning writers Jenny Davis and Hellie Turner was truly moving. The Lighthouse Girl Saga is a sweeping story of ordinary people living in extraordinary times: a tale of courage, resilience, hope and love. I highly recommend watching this world-class production.’ Rebecca Stephens MLA

‘Thank you for the opportunity to see this unique performance. I was blown away by the total experience. The clever script and stage direction was brilliantly supported by incredible actors who managed to convey 3 stories at the same time with such clarity. The use of the screen was amazing and I found myself not differentiating what was on screen to what was onstage – the integration was seamless. I cannot recommend this highly enough. It was simply stunning.’ Gabrielle Whirledge, Community Manager, CineFest OZ ‘

5* What a talented company! We have now had the delight of seeing three of their productions brought to regional areas. Superb; from the concept, the writing, the actors, the film and screen effects, and music, down to the delightful charcoal sketches in the latest, Lighthouse Girl Saga. Don’t miss their shows!’ Rob Hill

Available Marketing Collateral

Professional poster / online collateral, artwork, photographs, show trailers (videos), testimonials, media release.

credits

THEATRE 180 is a highly experienced professional WA touring theatre company with a strong history of regional touring and producing high quality theatre productions. We only use professional artists, creatives and crews in our shows.