BMA Arts
We’re Sammy Moynihan and Marlene Radice, co-founders of The Seeing Place, a theatre company dedicated to creating bold, politically charged work that challenges the status quo. Our latest production, The Cut by Mark Ravenhill, is one of the most compelling and thought-provoking shows we’ve ever tackled, and we can’t wait to share it with you at The Mill Theatre in Fyshwick.
Set in a dystopian society where a mysterious procedure known as “The Cut” is both feared and revered, the play explores the harrowing choices individuals must make between compliance and resistance. This chilling procedure serves as a powerful metaphor for how power, control, and personal freedom are manipulated by those in authority.
The Cut aims to be not just a play, but an experience that will challenge your perceptions and leave you questioning the world around you.
Working on The Cut has been one of the most invigorating experiences of our careers. Ravenhill’s script is a masterpiece, offering a rich tapestry of themes that resonate deeply with our times. It challenges societal norms and forces us to confront the uncomfortable truths of how easily morality can shift under the influence of the media and government.
Exploring shifting societal views has driven our production, pushing us to create something genuinely bold and thought-provoking.
One of the most exciting aspects of this production is our choice to feature an all-female cast. Women often carry the emotional weight in personal and societal contexts, making their portrayal of these characters particularly poignant.
Seeing women in roles traditionally dominated by men, especially in positions of power, adds another layer of complexity. This shift challenges the audience’s perceptions and adds a new dynamic to the play’s deep exploration of authority and control.
The dynamic between the cast members—Ali Clinch, Maxine Beaumont, Diana Caban Velez, and Hannah Tonks—has been nothing short of electric. Each actor brings a unique interpretation to their role, and their compelling chemistry has elevated the entire production.
Our decades-long collaboration has been rooted in a shared passion for creating theatre that entertains along with provoking thought and conversation.
Working together on The Cut has allowed us to tap into that synergy, combining our strengths to push the boundaries of what theatre can be. Marlene’s expertise in sound design has added depth to this production, allowing us to explore the themes of The Cut in new and innovative ways. Our shared history and mutual trust have enabled us to take creative risks, ensuring this production is as impactful as possible.
Sammy’s experiences in Palestine profoundly influenced this production. Working with The Freedom Theatre in Jenin opened his eyes to the incredible power of theatre as a tool for resistance and storytelling.
The resilience of the Palestinian people, their stories of struggle, and their unyielding spirit are ever-present in our work In many ways, The Cut is an extension of those experiences, a way to continue the conversation about power, control, and the human spirit’s ability to endure.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a stark example of how media and government can influence and manipulate societal views on morality. People’s sense of right and wrong around this issue has shifted so much over the years, often swayed by the narratives that are pushed onto us. The Cut captures this manipulation of morality so powerfully, and it’s one of the reasons why this play resonates so profoundly with us.
Thanks to Lexi Sekuless‘s incredible support, The Mill Theatre has been the perfect venue for this production. The theatre offers us the space to experiment and push the boundaries of what this play can be, with the space’s intimacy allowing for a palpable connection between the actors and the audience, making every performance a unique experience. Lexi and the theatre staff have been instrumental in giving us the freedom to explore and take risks without feeling constrained.
This production has been a labour of love, a culmination of years of collaboration, experience, and a shared vision for what theatre can achieve. We can’t wait for audiences to see what we’ve created.
We’re confident The Cut will entertain and spark conversations long after the curtain falls.
Join us at The Mill Theatre and be part of something special. This is not just a show; it’s a powerful statement on our world. Sammy and Marlene xoxo
The Cut is playing from 12th-21st September at The Mill Theatre, Dairy Rd Fyshwick. Tickets are $42.85-$53.29 incl. booking fee via Humanitix.
