MEDIA RELEASE • 12 APRIL 2022
Weaving a clever tapestry of comedy, drama and romance, Lab Kelpie production, Become The One, will provoke important discussions around love and bravery when its Geelong season commences at Geelong Arts Centre on 3 May as part of Our Season 2022.
Winner of the Midsumma Festival Playtime Award for New Queer Writing, this funny, smart and challenging romantic comedy explores why a footballer would choose to remain closeted, and why their openly gay partner would choose to accept it.
When Noah captures the attention of Tom, a celebrated AFL player nearing the end of his career, sparks immediately fly. But as the season progresses and their relationship grows, questions around identity, agency and our devotion to hyper-masculinity begin to surface, forcing us to consider what happens to love when good intentions and patience aren’t enough anymore.
Featuring two vibrant, lovable characters at its heart, Become The One repositions the typical “closeted sportsman” narrative by asking its audience to consider: What if it was the partner, not the athlete, that became the driving force behind dismantling the heteronormativity of Australia’s national sport?
Running from Tuesday 3 May to Saturday 7 May in Geelong Arts Centre’s state of the art Studio 4, Become The One explores the true meaning of bravery and what it might take to do the right thing – as a lover, as a high-profile sportsman, as a human being – to become the one.
Each performance runs for 75 minutes without interval.
The 7:30pm performance on Friday 6 May includes a post-show Q&A with the show’s cast and creatives.
Tickets are on sale now at geelongartscentre.org.au/our-season-2022/become-the-one. Capacity in Studio 4 is limited – get in quick!
In addition to these performances, local creatives are invited to join the cast and creatives of the show for a 90-minute, hands-on professional development workshop exploring the structure and style, casting and character dynamics, performance, and how to touch on serious subject manner in a real and accessible way.
Taking place on Friday 6 May, the workshop is presented as part of Geelong Arts Centre’s Creative Engine professional development program, and bookings are available at geelongartscentre.org.au/creative-engine/professional-development/the-locker-room/.
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE
“It’s vital that Geelong Arts Centre makes space for storytelling that actively represents the experiences of our wonderfully diverse community.
Become The One is an acclaimed and important Australian work that we strongly believe should be shared right across the country and beyond, and we are thrilled to bring it to the stage in Geelong.”
Geelong Arts Centre Senior Producer - Programming & Creative Engine,
Penny McCabe
ABOUT THE SHOW
BECOME THE ONE
A LAB KELPIE PRODUCTION
STUDIO 4, GEELONG ARTS CENTRE
3-7 MAY 2022
BILLING
Become The One
A Lab Kelpie Production
CAST
Tom Chris Asimos
Noah Mason Gasowski
CREDITS
Producer Lab Kelpie
Playwright Adam Fawcett
Director Lyall Brooks
Sounds Designer & Composer Tom Backhaus
Hero Image Pier Carthew
VENUE, DATES & TIMES
DURATION 75 minutes, no interval
VENUE Studio 4, Geelong Arts Centre – located at 81 Ryrie Street, Geelong
DATES & TIMES
TUE 3 MAY 7:30PM
WED 4 MAY 7:30PM
THU 5 MAY 7:30PM
FRI 6 MAY 7:30PM (INCLUDES HALF HOUR POST-SHOW Q&A)
SAT 7 MAY 3:30PM & 7:30PM
TICKETS & BOOKINGS
TICKET PRICES
FULL PRICE $59
SENIOR/CONCESSION/STUDENT $53
CHILD $38
GROUPS OF 10 OR MORE $50
BOOKINGS
geelongartscentre.org.au/our-season-2022/become-the-one/
TESTIMONIALS
“Heart wrenching, raw and categorically brave. Become The One doesn’t let you off the hook. You’re suspended in the tension of this relationship with the characters. We need more of this on our stages.”
Theatre People
“Asimos and Strand both have strong stage presence and share incredible chemistry, which makes for a compelling portrayal of this well-scripted love story. It is a wellcrafted work, solidly written and beautifully performed, which will resonate with footy fans and non-footy fans alike.”
Weekend Notes
“Fawcett’s text is spikey and smart… sensitivity and intelligence are woven all through it. Fawcett does this by his choice of characters – and then these very fine actors bring them to life under Lyall Brooks’ well-paced, edgy direction.”
Stage Whispers
AVAILABLE SPOKESPEOPLE
Joel McGuinness - CEO & Creative Director, Geelong Arts Centre
Penny McCabe – Senior Producer Programming and Creative Engine, Geelong Arts Centre
Talent interviews and photo opportunities may be available upon request. Contact Georgia Allen – Geelong Arts Centre
Communications and Social Media Lead to discuss interview opportunities further.
P | 03 5225 1274
E | georgia@geelongartscentre.org.au
OUR SEASON 2022
Featuring 11 vital stories that you won’t want to miss, Our Season 2022 showcases the voices of those who have overcome hardship, broken down barriers and fought for their place upon the world stage.
For full program details and online bookings, visit geelongartscentre.org.au/our-season-2022/
Geelong Arts Centre: Our Season 2022 is proudly supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, Major Artistic Partner, Deakin University and Innovation Partner, Costa Asset Management.
Bookings can be made via the website, or by phoning the Box Office on 1300 251 200 between 9:00am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Geelong Arts Centre has moved to e-ticket delivery for Our Season 2022. Confirmation of your booking will be emailed to you immediately, and all e-tickets for performances will be emailed to you three days prior to the performance.
Geelong Arts Centre scrupulously adheres to COVID Safe principles. Please make sure to check our website for the most up-to-date information regarding current COVID Safety measures and conditions of entry prior to each performance.
Information on what to expect on site, including helpful FAQs, can be found on our website at geelongartscentre.org.au