Theatre Studies Monologue - Charli Cantoni-Bud
Patricia Highsmith from 'Switzerland' by Joanna Murray-Smith
'Switzerland' is an original thriller inspired by renowned master crime novelist Patricia Highsmith by Australian playwright Joanna Murray-Smith. Highsmith’s books are the source of many cinematic adaptations including the well-known 'The Talented Mr Ripley' - but in 'Switzerland' the tables are turned and it is Patricia Highsmith herself who is the central character.
In this monologue, Charli portrays Highsmith in her twilight years in her home in Switzerland that houses an impressive collection of books, and a somewhat sinister collection of guns and knives. She finds solace in her seclusion, her cats and cigarettes. A mysterious international visitor has barged into her home unannounced; an earnest, clean-cut young man sent from Highsmith’s publisher’s office has turned up at her alpine retreat to convince her to write a final book. But Patricia decided long ago that she didn’t like people, and she certainly doesn’t like this young man.
In this monologue, Highsmith outlines to her visitor the plot for her next Tom Ripley novel that she has no intention of writing.
Theatre Studies Monologue - Shayna Epstein
Beverley from 'Come From Away' by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
'Come from Away' is a Canadian musical based on the events in the Newfoundland town of Gander during the week following the September 11 attacks. The characters in the musical are based on (and in most cases share the names of) actual Gander residents and stranded travellers they housed and fed.
In this monologue, Shayna portrays the character Beverley Bass. Bass was piloting a Boeing 777 when the terror attacks occurred and, due to the closure of American airspace, her flight was ordered to land in Gander, Newfoundland.
While the Beverley Bass character in the musical is partly a composite character combining experiences of other pilots in Gander at the time, the number "Me and the Sky" is entirely drawn from the real Bass's life story.
Theatre Studies Monologue - Jacqueline Pizzo
Liz Morden from 'Our Country's Good' by Timberlake Wertenbaker
'Our Country's Good' is a 1988 play adapted from the Thomas Keneally novel 'The Playmaker'. The story concerns a group of Royal Marines and convicts in a penal colony in New South Wales, in the 1780s, who put on a production of 'The Recruiting Officer'.
Jacqueline plays the character, Liz Morden, a most troublesome woman that Governor Phillip wants to make an example out of through redemption, which is why he wants her in the play. Liz is accused of stealing food, but does not defend herself at her trial.
At this moment in the play, Liz is in a make-shift prison and reveals aspects of her life to her fellow inmates that have led her to this very moment.