THE mysterious and enticing production of Terrestrial is set to wow audiences at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre this week, with one of the region’s own taking to the stage.
Former Keith resident Annabel Matheson will portray Liddy, an alien obsessed teenager who arrives with her mother in a remote South Australian town seeking escape.
In the midst of discovering the town is collapsing in on itself due to an impending mine closure, Liddy connects with Badar, a witty cynical 15-year-old just like her.
The newfound friends explore what is fast becoming a ghost town, embracing their differences and celebrating their shared eccentricities.
Splitting her time between the city and the small country town of Keith throughout her childhood, Annabel said she was excited to return to the region in a production focused on a small town.
“It is a lot of fun playing an explosive teenager in a production that is aimed at that younger age group,” she said.
“Theatre is not something most teenagers generally think of engaging with, but I think they will really form a connection with Terrestrial.”
Set on entering the industry for years, the high achiever said she knew acting was the right path to take.
“I had some excellent drama teachers at school who really encouraged me to follow a path into a job in the theatre,” she said.
“Drama was the one thing that I found the most exciting at school and was eager to continue exploring once I finished school.
“To be honest, it would have been pretty impossible to dissuade me once I had set my mind on becoming an actor.”
Taking on her dream role in Terrestrial, Annabel said it was an exciting production with a great story line.
“People can expect pretty funky music, some arguments, heart break and maybe some aliens,” she said.
“It will be a full-on hour with the production hitting the ground from the very start.
“There is also a question and answer session at the end so people can give us feedback and ask us about the production, which is really cool.”
Directed by the perceptive Nescha Jelk, Terrestrial promises to both touch the heart and engage the mind.
“Terrestrial is a play for South Australia – it grew out of memories of being a teenager and visiting a remote South Australian mining town,” she said.
“The warmth of the kids I met there, their boredom, generosity and isolation have all made it into this play.
“As have the empty houses they took me to, the Martian landscape and the dusty air.
“It has been wonderful to return to my home state.”
Terrestrial will show at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre on Thursday at 1pm, with tickets available at countryarts.org.au or at the box office.
