In An Oak Tree, one half of the cast changes every night and there is no rehearsal. Acclaimed actor John Leary sat down with Garrett Bithell.

The fifth play in B Sharp’s 2008 season will bring some of Australia’s finest actors to the stage in an Australian premiere – only thing is, only one of them has seen the script.

 In An Oak Tree, two men meet in the most unlikely of places – a hypnotist who has lost the power of suggestion and a grieving man who can only cope by using it. Together they arrive at a liberating redemption that neither could have anticipated.

Every night one of Australia’s leading actors – including Brendan Cowell, Claudia Karvan, Joel Edgerton, John Gaden, Leah Purcell, Jacki Weaver, Chas Licciardello (The Chaser) and Richard Roxburgh – will join the exceptional John Leary on stage. They have never seen the script, are entirely unrehearsed, and know nothing about their part. The guest actor will remain a secret until the lights go down each night.

“It’s a massive responsibility to know the whole show, including their part,” Leary tells SX. “It’s quite funny to have that responsibility, because usually you do share it out and everyone in the cast takes responsibility for their own role. But for them to be coming on blind, and me having to be the safety net….

“It’s a remarkable play and so much more than just the concept of having someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing and being led through the production. It’s so much greater than just relying on that gimmick.”

Tim Crouch’s award-winning play promises to be a vivid, risky and hilarious experience that delightfully disturbs our expectations of theatre. A two-character study of transformation and loss, it unites two styles of acting – one conventional, one utterly unrehearsed. As director Tanya Goldberg suggests, the play is perfectly constructed and the ideas it poses are inextricably linked to its unusual structure.

“Hopefully the actors come along on the night open to what is going to happen,” Leary says. “Actors can be absolute control freaks and you can get so caught up in your own head. If they can come and turn that off it will be a really special show – if they’re reacting honestly and openly to the material.

There certainly seems to be some trepidation floating around in the pool of poor, unsuspecting thespians. 

 
“I don’t really know what to expect, I just hope Johnny Leary is on his game on the night and doesn’t give me any blank stares,” said Leah Purcell.

“I am looking forward to this performance with a mixture of excitement and terror,” declared Eden Falk. “No context, nothing to hide behind, no chance to plan anything. What could go wrong?”

“It is the first time ever I’m being asked by the production company/director to not get prepared,” mused Lech Machiewicz. “Just imagine: signing a professional contract which makes sure that you won’t read, won’t research and won’t rehearse the play, which you are to be in!”

Does Leary have faith the actors will stay true to this contract? “I’m actually sure no one would do that,” he says. “Because the experience will be that much better if they don’t do that – and I’m pretty sure if they were so nervous about doing it that they had to do that research, then they wouldn’t have agreed in the first place.”

Ride On and B Sharp present An Oak Tree, downstairs at Belvoir Street Theatre from July 17 – August 10. For tickets call the box office on 9699 3444 or visit belvoir.com.au 

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