Opening to a sell out crowd last Friday night (9th March), 'At Sea, Staring Up' by Hobart playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer, swept the audience away on a journey that took them to worlds both magical and real with uplifting performances by emerging actors Brett Walsh, Laura Pegrum, Ella Watson-Russell, Natalie Taylor and Christiaan Westerveld.

Telling the story of five characters spread across the globe, 'At Sea, Staring Up' highlights humanity's vulnerability while showing the lengths some will go to protect and help those they love.  Each character embarks on a journey for love – retrospective ones to honour loves lost, hopeful ones to discover new love, as well as pragmatic ones to save one they love.

For Greenroom critic Matthew Church, 'At Sea, Staring Up' delivered across the board.  “JUTE Theatre Company‘s 20th year has been marked by the production of a beautiful piece filled with young, talented, regional actors, a meticulous design, and spectacular technical elements. 'At Sea, Staring Up', really has set a benchmark for the regional theatre company.”

Full credit has goes to the play’s director Suellen Maunder, [also artistic director and chief executive officer of JUTE Theatre Company].  Reviewer Glyn Davies says "JUTE has once again worked its magic on Cairns theatre goers who were privileged to see one of its most “intriguing presentations” to date".

“To have woven such disparate elements as this play contains into one internally consistent whole is no mean achievement. This production is a triumph – yet another one for JUTE – and it promises great things for the future of this twenty-year-old theatre company,” he said.
 
Overall the reviews for Jute's first production of the year are summed up in just a few words, “Brilliant, go and see, it’s magical” and "a great night’s entertainment, well done".

Tickets are still available for the remaining shows but are selling fast.  Running until March 24, there are performances daily from Tuesday to Saturday. Tickets are priced between $18 and $30 and can be purchased online at www.jute.com.au, by phone on 07 4050 9444 or by coming in person between 10am and 5pm Tuesday to Friday from the Centre of Contemporary Arts, 96 Abbott St Cairns.


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