We’re presenting the Australian Premiere of Judith Thompson’s PALACE OF THE END  at Theatre Works this June.

By making a pledge of $10 to PALACE OF THE END you will advance the work of an ensemble of committed theatre makers led by DANIEL CLARKE.


ABOUT PALACE OF THE END
"Thompson's triptych combines the most penetrating images of the Iraq war...close to perfection" The Guardian

Winner of the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award at the 2009 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, PALACE OF THE END is a triptych of monologues that tell the stories of three people forever impacted by the wars in Iraq.

Brutal, poetic and revealing, PALACE OF THE END goes behind the headlines and connects us with humanity. This work questions government and responsibility, accountability, the ramifications of political decisions and the motives behind these. It is ten years since the invasion of Iraq, torture and human rights abuses still continue to this day.

Millions of people world wide stood up in the streets to protest the decision to go to war. No weapons of mass destruction were ever found. This work is a timely reminder of the impact that such a decision can have. It is an exercise in empathy, understanding choice, understanding the impact of other’s choices. It asks audiences to consider where they stand on a number of issues…what they would do if they were in the same circumstances as these characters.

How must it feel to be Lynndie England, the American soldier photographed making a thumbs-up gesture beside naked Iraqi captives in Abu Ghraib prison? Or Dr David Kelly, moments before he allegedly took his own life? Or an Iraqi woman whose family have been slaughtered by the secret police when the US still supported Saddam's regime?

THE ARTISTS BEHIND THIS WORK
"Clarke seems to have quite suddenly transformed THEATRE WORKS into a creative powerhouse, offering a home to some of Melbourne's most interesting artists"  Alison Croggon

An incredible ensemble are committed to bringing these vital stories to the Melbourne stage. Directed by THEATRE WORKS Creative Producer Daniel Clarke, PALACE OF THE END features Eugenia Fragos (The Slap, Dead Europe) as an Iraqi mother; Hannah Norris (My Name is Rachel Corrie) as an American soldier; and Robert Meldrum (STC, Bell Shakespeare) as a British microbiologist and weapons inspector.

PALACE OF THE END is being designed by a stunning team; Eugyeene Teh (Set and Costume), Rob Sowinski (Lighting) and Russell Goldsmith (Sound).

YOUR SUPPORT

Please pledge today to enable this journey. Our target is $5340, the amount it costs to hire Theatre Works St.Kilda for two weeks. If 534 individuals each made a $10 pledge, we will hit this target. This is an independent theatre production responsible for all venue costs.