![OVERCOMING OBSTACLES: Charles Sturt University final year theatre media students Harriet McLean [in character as Lucie Bartonova] and Bethany Osborne act out a scene from 'Cutlery'. Photo: SAM BOLT](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/xry9xtRQu9u36zRV2j5976/2aa7a5ad-ad77-4c2a-aaba-58ad73b49279.JPG/r287_0_4608_2591_w576_h298_fmax.webp "OVERCOMING OBSTACLES: Charles Sturt University final year theatre media students Harriet McLean [in character as Lucie Bartonova] and Bethany Osborne act out a scene from 'Cutlery'. Photo: SAM BOLT")
Charles Sturt University [CSU] final year theatre media students have had to overcome significant obstacles due to COVID-19.
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But they've risen to the challenge to put together Cutlery, an innovative work of online theatre set to premiere this Thursday.
Cutlery, written and directed by CSU academic Tim Hansen, follows a host of interesting characters in the Czech village of Pribor during World War I in a story of comedy, tragedy, feminism and abuse of power.
The show will be performed live entirely on Zoom, and production member Emily Phillips said it's been a 'crazy time' putting it together.
"We're all used to being together in the one space bouncing ideas off each other, so the move online for production purposes has been quite challenging," Ms Phillips said.
"It's taken longer than normal, but the process has taught us how to enhance our communication skills to work around difficult situations."
Fellow production member Bethany Osborne said the move online has encouraged the crew to think outside the box regarding design.
"It's not your traditional theatre space, we're essentially using each others houses," Ms Osborne said.
"Because the uni has been in lockdown, we've had to design our own lighting and place deeper thought into our sets."
Harriet McLean, who plays Lucie Bartonova in the show, said the shift online has created potential for a larger audience.
"We normally put these productions on for Bathurst audiences but because it's online, we can share it with friends and family all over the country," Ms McLean said.
Mr Hansen has applauded the students involved for "reinventing how to present theatre."
"The show is dramatic and has plenty of emotion, but we deliberately set it up in such a way to remind the audience that they're watching a play," he said.
"A key trope of Cutlery is its strange take on a realistic setting, which the Zoom medium only helps enhance."
Mr Hansen said Cutlery is an ideal show for audiences after a surreal yet meaningful take on a historical period.
"There's nothing too out there, but just enough to make you realise this is a very different world," he said.
"For example, there's a talking cat, which is unusual for a realistic setting, but serves a key purpose to drive the message of the show home."
"There's also strong themes of female empowerment and bullying, which I feel many will relate to."
'Cutlery' will run from 7pm to 9pm on June 18, 19 and 20. Tickets cost $6 and are currently available from http://www.trybooking.com/BJWJD.
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Sam Bolt
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
