Actors and Avondale to bring famous story to stage
Bianca Reynaud
Public relations assistant
Avondale College of Higher Education
Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia
Avondale staff members and students will star alongside two professionals in a stage production of a story made famous by an Oscar-winning movie.
Michael Taylor (centre) plays Eric Liddell in Searchlight Theatre Company’s production of Chariot.
Chariot: the Eric Liddell story brings to life the story of Eric Liddell, a British Olympian who is asked to run in the games for his country on his Sabbath. The production is a collaboration of Searchlight Theatre Company and Avondale College of Higher Education. The United Kingdom-based drama troupe adapted a three-actor script to a 10 actor script, opening up supporting roles for eight others—lecturers Dr Andrew Matthes and Associate Professor Daniel Reynaud and students Laura Mitchell, Viema Murray, Joshua Page, Jordan Pearce, Bianca Reynaud and Joshua Wolfe, who plays two roles.
“The essence of good theatre is a good story, and Eric Liddell’s is no exception,” says David Robinson, who founded Searchlight with fellow Brit Michael Taylor. “I want the audience to care and be moved, to be stirred and inspired.” Eric’s story, memorably told in the Academic Award-winning movie Chariots of Fire, is true. “A true story gives you an ace, especially when telling a story of faith,” says Michael.
This co-production of Chariot, for example, will focus on how faithfulness in the face of trial can lead one to unexpected and overwhelming victories—in sport, in life and in God. It is in keeping in David and Michael’s vision for Searchlight—to not only share inspiring stories but also to “produce theatre that challenges people to think about and encounter God.”
Laura Mitchell, with Joshua Page, is co-ordinating the production at Avondale. “I’m passionate about theatre, and I’ll always jump at the opportunity to use the things I’m passion about for God.” She is also looking forward to working with David and Michael. “This will, and has been, a growing and learning experience for me. We’ve got a great cast, and we can’t wait to hit the stage.”
Chariot: the Eric Liddell story, Avondale College Seventh-day Adventist Church, Friday, March 21, 2014, 7.30 pm. $20 (single); $40 (family—two adults and any number of children 18 years and under); $15 (Avondale Alumni Association card holders); Free (Avondale College of Higher Education students and Manifest Creative Arts Festival pass holders).