The August Moon

In March 2006 the residents of Innisfail in North Queensland were paid an unwelcome visit by tropical Cyclone Larry. This is their story.

Event Details

Event Type:

Theatre

Editorial Review

14 Jul-9 Aug '08
Queensland Theatre Company
78 Montague Road
South Brisbane

On March 20, 2006 the coastal town of Innisfail was devastated by tropical Cyclone Larry. Four days later, Sydney playwright Adam Grossetti and actor/director Jean-Marc Russ travelled to North Queensland in order to document the tragedy. Their interest was particularly sparked by the reported death of 63-year-old Bryan Young, a long-term resident at August Moon Caravan Park.

The park's owners were under scrutiny from the media and accused of serious neglect. Grossetti and Russ talked to them in an attempt to find out what really happened. They also talked to a plethora of residents who had been affected by the cyclone. A collection of video footage, sound recording and interviews culminated in the production of The August Moon, a multimedia theatre production exploring the story behind the headlines and showcasing human emotion in the face of adversity.

The August Moon is directed by Russ and presented by the Queensland Theatre Company. The production contains live performance combined with documentary and news footage and live audio recordings. While endeavouring to reveal what really happened on that fateful night, Russ and Grossetti capture the destruction created by Cyclone Larry and tell an emotional story of community and human survival.

Ryan Lungu