Gripping rooftop tragifarce

Elizabeth O'Callaghan and Kristof Kaczmarek performing at the opening of The Suicide of Solitude at Rochford Winery. 123814 Picture: JESSE GRAHAM

By JESSE GRAHAM

SUICIDE, deception and love are just some of the key themes running behind Exit Theatre’s latest production, which is being performed in Healesville in coming weeks.
The Suicide of Solitude, a Ukrainian tragedy-comedy by Neda Nejdana, opened at Rochford Winery last Friday 11 July.
Kristof Kaczmarek and Elizabeth O’Callaghan play the two leading parts – He and She – in the play, which is set on a rooftop at night.
The two meet in an odd fashion – She is standing on the ledge, contemplating throwing herself off, when He appears and urges her to reconsider.
However, their discussions after their meeting are full of deception, emotion and comedic banter, as emotions run high between the pair.
Watching the unfolding events on the roof are two cats, played by Dawid Kaczmarek and Suhasini Seelin, who are waiting for a friend and intrigued by the back-and-forth from the others.
Around 30 people attended the opening night at the winery, and silence filled the air, interrupted only by laugher, while He and She dashed across the stage, deep in argument.
The play is described as a “tragifarce” in 13 steps, with one intermission and one jump, and the story takes several wild and strange turns before one final twist.
The Suicide of Solitude will be performed at Rochford Winery on Fridays and Saturdays from 7.30pm, and on Sundays from 5pm until 3 August.
Two matinee performances will also be held on Saturday 19 and 26 July and 2 August from 2pm.
Tickets are $30, $25 for concession-holders and $20 for students, and bookings of more than five can get a discounted ticket price of $25.
For more information on the play, or to book tickets for a performance, visit www.theatreexit.wix.com/theatre-exit, or call Beata Kaczmarek on 0431 975 755.