Geelong actor-director Charlotte Hukvari likens her latest production, Closer, to reality TV.
“You really don’t want to watch but you can’t look away,” she told the Independent.
Hukvari believed the Patrick Marber-penned play would give audiences a “kick in the guts” with its “raw honesty” and in-depth take on complex relationships and sexual identity.
The plot provided “uncomfortable” and “difficult” situations for the cast members during rehearsals, Hukvari said.
“But therein lies the challenge.”.
Hukvari said the cast had been rehearsing for more than three months to “nail” their characters before the show’s December 12 opening at Geelong’s Woodbin Theatre.
“Because the play’s so complex we’ve been focussing on building relationships and the intimacy between the characters.
“We want this show to be unforgettable.”
Hakvari described her character, Anna, as “interesting”.
“I had to find a little bit of extra motives for her actions – to understand her better.
“It’s not obvious why she goes from man to man.”
Hukvari found herself being absored into the role beyond rehearsals the more she worked on her character.
“You end up saying lines from the play to random people,” she laughed.
“I’m watching myself because the way I speak to people sometimes is the way she speaks.
“I can’t get away from her.”
Hukvari praised the cast for its acting prowess and commitment to the characters.
“The cast has been fantastic at taking everything, especially the difficult things, on board and running with it.”
She thought cast member Taliesa Robinson, who plays former stripper Alice, was “brave” for stripping on stage.
“She was a little bit uncomfortable because she hasn’t done it before but she’s put everything into her character.”
Hukvari advised audiences to immerse themselves in the storyline without reservation in the same way as the cast.
“You have to allow yourself to get emotionally involved or else it doesn’t work.”
Woodbin Theatre will host Closer form December 12 to 15.
