UNCOVERING the dark world of ice addiction, Gener8 Theatre’s In the Pines production promises to have people on the edge of their seats as the cast explores how the all to common drug claims the most unsuspecting victims.
Previously named Cold as Ice, In the Pines is down to the final stages of production as cast and crew prepare to take to the stage at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre this August.
Showcasing a sneak peak of the intriguing production last year, artistic director Jamie Harding and associate director John Crouch have been hard at work, finalising the story line and script to best portray the use of crystal methamphetamine in small towns and cities such as Mount Gambier.
“It has matured a lot since then and now has much more of a focus on distributors – it is closer to the truth of what actually exists,” Mr Crouch said.
“As for the name change, we feel it fits with the mysterious plot line as there are hidden things happening in the pines.”
Full of nerves and excitement with a show date now in place, Mr Harding said things have begun to move along quickly as they reach their deadline.
“A lot has happened since our preview screening, it has progressed tenfold with the production focusing more on the economy of the drug and how it really does touch the most unlikely aspects of the community,” he said.
“It shows how close it can and could be.”
Taking a different approach to theatre, In the Pines will include a first act as a live production and the second half in virtual reality.
“VR has been a giant step forward in innovation, we did not know how brave we were being taking on something that is so new,” Mr Harding said.
“There are a lot of technological people playing with the technology, but not many who have included it in a production, which makes it both terrifying and exciting.”
Currently casting for the production, the pair are aiming to include as many people from the South East as they can to make it as lifelike as possible.
“It is a complete work of fiction, but we will absolutely hit some home truths,” Mr Harding said.
“We are down to the vital planning stages and it will be head down, bum up to push across the finish line.”
In the Pines will appear at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre from August 23 to 25.
