Tobacco and the harmful effects thereof

“FACT! Take a fly, put him in a snuff box.
It will die… probably from nervous exhaustion.”

A long overdue collaboration between SYLVAINE STRIKE and ANDREW BUCKLAND, with a haunting guest appearance by Toni Morkel. 

Ivan, who is not a professor, is told by his wife to give a lecture on the harmful effects of tobacco, even though he himself is only a small smoker.  What follows is not so much a lecture, as an unfolding of the often hilarious and poignant journey of a man trying to be heard for the first time.

The vulnerability of Andrew Buckland’s consummate performance coupled with the sensitivity and minute attention to detail of Sylvaine Strike’s masterful direction and the perfect dosage of Toni Morkel’s haunting appearances combine to “guide the audience quite gently towards a dark place, a precipice between tragedy and comedy.” 
Mary Corrigall – The Sunday Independent 

Directed by: Sylvaine Strike

Written by: William Harding in collaboration with Anton Chekhov, Franz Kafka amongst many others…

Performers: Andrew Buckland and a special appearance by Toni Morkel

Costume design: Sylvaine Strike

Set Design: Chen Nakar

Reviews

  • "Strike’s delicate touch for nuances and unspoken responses works well with Buckland’s movement skills. It’s a beautiful piece filled with humour, poignancy and energy. "

    Caroline Smart, artSmart

  • "It’s a supremely well-developed piece of theatre directed by Sylvaine Strike, which intelligently and movingly, is supported with the rich array of emotional wisdom in the skill of clowning. Based on a tale by the same name by Anton Chekhov, it brings in a range of literary and cultural references, from the ballad of the Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear, to very clear and beautiful Beckettian references, to bits and pieces of Kafka, American Indian mythology... This beautiful production, armed with fine and whimsical caveats is a tonic to the emotions and a celebration of the senses. "

    Robyn Sassen, My View

  • "Despite its social relevance the work isn’t a one-dimensional vehicle for a straight message; this is sophisticated theatre-making that probes complexities, while even titillating and entertaining the audience. This production will undoubtedly stand out at the National Arts Festival and confirms why Strike has been selected as the feature artist. "

    Five star review: Mary Corrigall, The Star

  • "Direction by Sylvaine Strike, this year’s National Arts Festival featured artist, is masterful. Strike appears to be the kind of theatre maker who will suffer nothing less than perfection, and knows what that is, giving Morkel just the right amount of play and bringing out Buckland at his letting-it-all-hang-out best, which is an experience that, like grief, never leaves over time, it merely winds its way into our soul."

    Steve Kretzmann, The Cue