When the Rain Stops Falling
by Andrew Bovell
Directed and designed by Chris Baldock
Season: May 8-17, 2025
Belconnen Arts Centre
BOOKINGS & FURTHER INFO HERE
This extraordinary theatrical masterpiece is one of the most acclaimed and revered Australian plays of modern times. Winner of the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award, the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award, the Victorian Green Room Award and the Sydney Theatre Award for Best New Australian Work.
Alice Springs. 2039. A fish falls from the sky – it still smells of the sea. It’s been raining for days and Gabriel York knows something is wrong. When the Rain Stops Falling unfolds like a puzzle to be solved. Told through the interconnected stories of two families over four generations: between a prediction in London 1959 and its outcome in Australia eighty years later. This intricate, multi-layered story explores betrayal, abandonment, destruction, forgiveness and love. With four generations of fathers and sons, their mothers, lovers and wives, the play is epic in its scope, yet at the same time extraordinarily intimate.
“…a gloriously written and gripping script…dramatically unpredictable and yet piercingly beautiful” – Artshub
“A spellbinding saga” – The Australian
“…bold and sensitive… exudes a sense of wonder and mystery…shrewd and sharp and genuinely moving” – The Times
“An extraordinary play” – Financial Times
Great Plays. Great Actors. Great Stories. Mockingbird Theatre is an award-winning (Canberra Critics Circle – The Laramie Project plays) Canberra-based theatre company bringing discerning audiences the best text-based 20th and 21st Century plays from around the world. Utilising the talents of Canberra’s experienced and emerging theatrical talents, Mockingbird Theatre’s mission is to move, thrill, entertain and to create theatrical magic that will touch the soul.
Says director Baldock “I have been wanting to direct this incredible play for over 8 years now and I am thrilled that the stars have finally aligned. Covid thwarted my last attempt and now, with the availability of the best venue in town to do it, it’s time to finally present my vision for this remarkable piece of work. It’s like I was being forced to wait for this moment to present my favourite Australian play. It’s a piece that works on so many levels – an intriguing saga of an Australian family told over four generations; of how the actions of one person creates a butterfly effect that has ramifications for many; of fathers and sons; of mothers and sons. It is also a wonderfully crafted mystery as we jump backwards and forwards over the decades as we witness the pieces of the puzzle fall into place which adds such a thrilling element to the play. I am so excited to be finally able to present my vision for it. Staging it in the round, it’s going to be something special.”
Cast:
Gabriel York – Chris Baldock
Elizabeth Law (Older) – Liz St Clair Long
Elizabeth Law (Younger) – Ruth Hudson
Joe Ryan – Bruce Hardie
Gabrielle York (Older) – Jess Beange
Gabrielle York (Younger) – Jayde Dowhy
Gabriel Law – Leonidas Katsinas
Henry Law – Zac Bridgman
Andrew Price – Dyllan Ormazabal
Production Team:
Director: Chris Baldock
Stage Manager: Rhiley Winnett
Assistant Director: Zac Bridgman
Properties: Natalie Trafford and Chris Baldock
Set & Projection Design: Chris Baldock
Projection Realisation: Rhiley Winnett
Sound Design: Chris Baldock
Lighting, Sound and Projection Operation: Rhiley Winnett
Costumes: Chris Baldock and Cast
Based on the play WHEN THE RAIN STOPS FALLING
by Andrew Bovell, exclusively licenced by HLA Management Pty Ltd
This production acknowledges that it is being performed on stolen Ngunnawal and Ngambri lands. We recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures represent the oldest form of storytelling in Australia. It is an honour to continue this practice on their land. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging. We welcome all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people who join us today.
Sovereignty was never ceded.
Address
Belconnen Arts Centre, 118 Emu Bank, Belconnen ACT 2617
Office Hours: 10:00AM-4:00PM Mondays-Thursdays
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