Toy Symphony | At The Loading Dock

Roland Henning has writer’s block. 

As he embarks on a voyage of self-reflection in the hope of finding himself again, glimpses of his troubled past begin to arise, and he is forced to face his bullying, self-gratifying and narcissistic past.

Uncomfortable, disconcerting and hilarious, Toy Symphony plunges deep into the dizzying circus of life and art as Roland summons historical figures to battle the constrictive forces of his childhood and the looming adults that desperately try to suppress his imagination and hinder Roland from becoming the man he was always meant to be.

Michael Gow’s multi-award winning play is a wrestle between the vicious bastardry of being an artist and the sheer exhilaration of the creative act itself.

“Ad Astra proves again that they don’t shy away from interesting material.” - Stage Whispers

“A display of Astra-nomical talent” - My Village News

To learn more about the cast and crew, visit:

Toy Symphony — Ad Astra (adastracreativity.com)

Michael Gow was the artistic director of Queensland Theatre company from 1999 – 2010 and he had not written a full-length play while fully engaged in this role. In 2007, his play Toy Symphony received its world premiere production at Sydney's Belvoir St Theatre. It was a critical and popular success. Toy Symphony was awarded Best New Australian Work at the 2008 Helpmann Awards, and the production was also nominated for Best Play. The production also won four Sydney Theatre Awards including Best Mainstage Production.

“Michael Gow's first full-length play in a decade is a dazzling tour-de-force of theatrical invention”

Australian Plays Transform

CAST

Gregory J Wilken | Roland Henning

Wendi Lanham | Nina, English Nanny

Felix Jarvis | Daniel, Lawyer

Bernadette Pryde | Mrs Walkham

Sam Webb | Steve Gooding, Dr. Maybloom and Tom

John Michael Narres | Headmaster, Mr Devlin, Anton Chekov, Titus Oates

Chantal Elyse | Julie Pearson, Lynette, Miss Beverly, Nurse

Adam Dakin | Nicolajs Eglitis, The Executioner, Alexander the Great

CREATIVES AND CREW

Director | Michelle Carey

Producer | Gregory J Wilken

Associate Producer and Social Media Manager | Molly Walker

Associate Producer and Tech | Tom Pocilujko

Associate Producer and Stage Manager | Madelyne Leite

Composer | Tommi Civili