Inspired by a true story of a high school student who “took revenge” on a classmate who was bullying him after his father advised him to “fight back”, The Apology is a searingly honest look at the repercussions of taking revenge and the long term effects that bullying can have. Ray Bones is being hassled by ‘the Eneme’. When a year-nine excursion to the Boggo Road Goal goes awry, Ray’s dad encourages him to pick his moment and fight back. The Apology ricochets through a five year period where the bruises of bullying refuse to heal. Told from an unbiased perspective, this powerful production forces students to decide if the punishment fits the crime. The Apology is performed by two actors (Sam Foster and Hayden Jones), who play 18 different characters in total, without ever leaving the stage or changing costume. Fuelled with intensity, The Apology fuses physical theatre techniques, multiple role-sharing and live music into a visceral and dynamic piece of theatre. The Apology is an example of Zeal Theatre’s signature style of doing as much as possible with as little as possible.

Venue Format
Theatre, Black Box Venue
Technical Rating
D
Touring Party
3
Considerations

The technical requirements for The Apology are minimal. The show can be adapted to fit into most spaces and uses no special AV, lighting or sound FX.

The lighting for the show is one single lighting state for the whole show with no lighting cues or changes.

The show has live music that is played on stage by the actors and requires access to a power supply (standard 240V power outlet).

The set is small and portable and can be bumped in and out in less than 1 hour. The show requires minimal technical crew from the venue.

Zeal Theatre are internationally renowned for their high energy, raw and hard hitting performance style that combines physical theatre, live music, multiple characters, minimal sets and an “in your face” story telling style.

Zeal Qld was founded in 2005 when the Qld Arts Council asked Zeal Theatre to mount a Qld version of his award winning show 'The Stones'. Sam Foster was asked to come on board to perform the show and Zeal Qld was born.

Since that time Zeal Qld has produced 4 touring shows in Qld. 'The Stones' (2 versions), 'The Apology' (3 versions), 'The Forwards' and 'Joyride'. Zeal Qld has been touring extensively for the last 10 years throughout Queensland, having performed to thousands of young people from Weipa to Warwick, Mt Isa to Mackay and Gladstone to the Gold Coast!

Zeal Qld have conducted workshops and residencies for hundreds of schools as well as companies including; ATYP, QTC, Backbone Youth Arts, Qld Arts Council, Artslink Qld, NORPA, The Young Company, Qld Shakespeare Ensemble and Griffith University

Zeal Qld will have 3 productions touring Qld schools in 2016. ‘The Apology’, 'The Forwards' and a new work 'Viral' written and devised by Sam Foster and Hayden Jones.

Company Website
zealtheatre.com.au

Unique Selling Point

The unique selling point for The Apology is the unique and hard-hitting style of theatre that Zeal has become known for. Two actors on stage, playing 18 characters, a simple set, live music and a powerful and thought-provoking story.

The Apology has also been converted to Danish and was produced in Denmark by Theatre Neo in 2006. The original version of the play premiering at the Newcastle Showroom in February 2005 and was performed by Zeal Theatre founding members, Stefo Nantsou and Rob Dilley.

Marketing Materials

Zeal Theatre has a long history and a well-established reputation as a schools touring company. Zeal Qld has toured schools extensively throughout Qld over a 9-year period since 2005. In light of this fact, any marketing should include a focus on the schools sector.

Zeal Theatre has been touring shows Worldwide and creating theatre for 25 years. Several Zeal shows have been translated to other languages and continue to be produced by companies throughout Europe, North America and Asia.The show has been performed over 500 times in Qld and has toured extensively throughout the state and continues to receive rave reviews from audiences.

Community Engagement

Zeal Qld and Zeal Theatre have a long history of community and audience engagement. Zeal are internationally renowned for their high energy, raw and hard hitting performance style that combines physical theatre, live music, multiple characters, minimal sets and an “in your face” story telling style.

Sam Foster and Hayden Jones are highly experienced community arts facilitators. They have conducted community arts projects for the Australian Theatre for Young People, Qld Theatre Company, Northern River Performing Arts, Qld department of correctional services and Qld Arts Council. They have worked in several remote and regional communities including; Tennant Creek, Mt Isa, Weipa, Arukun, Mapoon, Palm Island, Pompurraw and Kowanyama to name a few.

The Apology will provide a unique opportunity for audience members and local community members to engage with performers Sam Foster and Hayden Jones and develop skills in a range of areas. The workshops and residencies provided by Zeal Qld would provide professional development for local community members and the opportunity to explore and express stories that are relevant and important to their community. In these workshops, the Zeal Theatre team will provide practical insights into their unique style, tailoring the workshop to connect with the participants.