Dark, humorous, and vicious. The One closes out the inaugural Poppy Seed Festival and this ‘one’ you don’t want to miss. The 65 minute show packs a punch.

Kasia Kaczmarek & Ben Prendergast – photographer Pier Carthew

The dark comedy features Harry and Jo, an intelligent, engaging, attractive, and ruthless couple. Like a modern day George and Martha from Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, the pair strip away any semblance of social niceties and dive head first into destruction.  The production opens with Harry casually reading in a minimalist, stylish lounge room. Jo enters and within minutes the couple are having emotionless sex on the sofa. Straight out of the gate we know this production is taking risks to create a compelling piece of theatre.

The strong, bold script offers fantastic acting challenges in this Australian premier. Playwright Vicky Jones takes the characters through one booze fuelled night to tackle uncomfortable subjects including violence, sexual assault, and consent. Leads Kasia Kaczmarek and Ben Prendergast rise to the occasion, allowing us to simultaneously love and hate their characters.

Emily Tomplins & Ben Prendergast – photographer Pier Carthew

The One is presented by Fire Curtain Co. in conjunction with the Poppy Seed Festival – a grass-roots theatre festival debuting this year. The stimulating, curated productions are impressing audiences. TPO writers had high praise for The Yellow Wave, Gin Sister, and Project Hysteria. Don’t miss your chance to see this exciting new work.

-Jenny Schmidt
Jenny Schmidt is an event addict. She has participated in arts festivals on three different continents (plus a couple of islands). When she’s not attending live shows, you can find her sampling the latest craft beer or sipping a creative cocktail.

 The One runs until December 13 at fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders lane, Melbourne. Book tickets here.

Disclosure: The Plus Ones were invited guests of TS Publicity