THE STANDOVER MAN

A raw and surprising modern-day fable. Set in a seedy criminal underworld where the magical and mundane are mixed with a hint of the maniacal.

A gang-land crime thriller blending magical realism with black comedy. The work is an ensemble piece that packs a powerful punch. The central character, Pope is obsessed with miniature roses and Joan of Arc. He is also a stand-over man, big, scary, covered in tatts, and with a reputation of cracking in skulls and cutting off fingers. Not pretty, but a job’s a job. Things are going all right until he comes face to face with The Kid who can’t catch a break, and Pope’s perfect little world starts to fall apart.

Written and directed by award-winning playwright Jessica Messenger with characters devised by the company. The Standover Man was developed with support and funding from Arena Arts, Stages WA, Somersault Theatre Company’s From Scratch Programme, and the DLGSC.

A co-production with Stained Glass Robot in association with Perth Theatre Trust and the Independent Theatre Festival of Western Australia 2014.

Partners and Support

Standover Partner Logos

26 – 29 March 2014: Subiaco Arts Centre, Independent Theatre Festival.

2015: 10th Women Playwrights International Conference, Cape Town, South Africa.

Creative team

A co-production with Stained Glass Robot.

Written by:		Jessica Messenger
Direction:		Jessica Messenger
Fight Direction & Stage Combat:		Andy Fraser
Production Design:		Theo Messenger
Original Composition:		Emma Hayes
Sound Design:		Hannah Sorenson
Lighting Design:		Mario Piccoli
Production Management:		Belinda Huggins
Graphic Design:		Theo Messenger
Images & Media:		Esther Longhurst
		Joshua Wells

Cast

Pope:		Mario Piccoli
The Kid:		Esther Longhurst
Pete/The Devil:		Nick Maclaine
Rosalind/La Pucell:		Laura Hopwood
Various Roles:		Theo Messenger

Reviews

“… a complex film noir-ish tale of a seedy gangland in which several threads weave together […] they resolve with satisfying neatness [and] the revelations are handled with conviction.” – The West Australian

“The Standover Man is the latest in a line of impressive plays from [Jessica] Messenger.” – The West Australian

“…it showcases [a] wry sense of humour and an innate understanding of what makes truthful relationships between offbeat characters interesting.” – Australian Stage

★★★★
“A densely written urban fantasy of love, hate, violence and redemption. Awesome in scope, at times overwhelming to witness, a dramatic contribution to the Independent Theatre Festival.” – ArtsHub Australia

“…a tight script, wonderful performances, all immaculately staged.” – Perth Theatre Reviews