By Kara Irving
DIRECTOR Shane Ryan isn’t asking for much. If he can move an audience during his latest stage production, then he’ll be a happy man.
“If they shed a tear and smile – then I’ve done my job,” he said.
Spending the last 10 months perfecting the World War I inspired ‘Not About Heroes’, Shane along with his passionate cast and crew are now preparing for opening night this Thursday at the Williamstown Little Theatre.
“It’s a tale about friendship, loss and how they get through it together,” he said, “It’s a story that will broaden the human heart and mind,” he said.
Not About Heroes follows the emotional journey of poets Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen during World War I and how their friendship forms beyond the trenches.
Led by Footscray actor Alec Gilbert and Andrew Mayes, Shane hopes the 30-year old play works as a timely reminder to commemorate Australian and New Zealand soldiers for Anzac Day.
“I’ve always had a strong interest in war. That’s why I decided to open (the play) near Anzac Day. I mainly wanted to explore the emotional sacrifices people made during times of crisis and I think the play does that well,” he said.
Showcasing at the Williamstown Little Theatre for three weeks, Shane hopes the audience take something away from the play.
“There are no guarantees for success in theatre,” he added. “On stage it’s the raw relationship between the actors and the audience that determines whether it will be successful. It’s hard to tell.”
Not About Heroes will run at the Williamstown Little Theatre between the 28 April to 15 May 2011.
For information visit: www.wlt.org.au
