When Dick (Dax Carnay-Hanrahan), an exotic trans woman, arrives in a country town, two men face an emotional earthquake. Dad (Matthew Richard Walsh) and Son (Luke Visentin) embark on a journey forcing them to confront everything they thought they knew. Chasing Dick (CD) is a twist laden ROM-COM style love story like never before.
The latest in Carnay-Hanrahan’s celebrated Trans/Scripts series, including The Six Guys an Immigrant Transperson of Colour Will Date in Melbourne and Transwoman Kills Influencer navigates gender identity, sexuality, and complex family dynamics. Captivating audiences at Queer Nu Work QDP Showcase in Sydney and at the Festival of Australian Queer Theatre in Ballarat, for which it was commissioned. It’s set to do the same at Melbourne Fringe 2024.
“CD embraces a love that defies conventional norms, uncovering how trans voices are misrepresented and appropriated to fit others’ narratives”, shares Carnay-Hanrahan, who co-directs the show with James Lau, adding “All these cis people, talk about trans lives as if we are not in the room”. Dax was recognized as a “Filipino Non-Binary Creative Powerhouse” by Timeout.com and named Best Performer in a Play in Melbourne for 2023 by Broadwayworld.com.
Lau, familiar to audiences from TV series Glitch and New Gold Mountain, says of his first directorial role, “I’ve loved working with this team. Our shared passion, love for the craft and work. So proud and excited with what’s to come”.
The cast are equally excited. Walsh, Artistic Director of Cracked Actors Theatre (CAT) jumped at the chance saying, “While the CAT is being renovated, I wanted to do something inspiring. Dax writes in an EPIC style. It’s always intoxicating to be there at the start of something big”. Visentin has travelled down from Sydney for his first Melbourne season.
“Carnay is.. an open and vulnerable performer and by shows end they are standing in their full power.. in this space with charisma and ease, accessibly down to earth without ever disempowering themselves.” — THEATRE TRAVELS
Venue: Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda VIC 3182
Dates & Times: 8 Oct to 11 Oct – 7:00pm | 12 Oct – 4:00pm & 7:00pm
Tickets: $30.00
Bookings: https://melbournefringe.com.au/event/chasing-dick-a-love-story/ or call 03 9660 9666 | Duration: 90mins
