Directed by Clare Watson, Winner Best Director 2005 Melbourne Fringe Festival.
Starring Sean Barker and Suzie Stapleton

Experience a stroll through time, with this exciting new piece of Verbatim Theatre. Sean Barker in conjunction with The Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society, has accumulated over 20 interviews with past and present residents of Port Melbourne. Creating ... The Borough, a one act play.

Years ago, Port Melbourne and Garden City were working class areas. Home to dockworkers, industrial workers and migrants. An area often associated with organised crime. Now Port Melbourne is moving to the glamour, but at what cost? Can we live harmoniously with technology and high-rise apartments, without destroying the essence of The Borough?

Talking about the project which marks his debut as a playwright, Sean says “I’m most interested in the effects of progress and social change on people that didn’t ask for it”.

Sean has worked extensively in local live theatre including the Melbourne Fringe production of Hotel for which The Borough director, Clare Watson, won the 2005 Best Director award. Sean has also appeared on televison in Wildside, Blue Heelers, Neighbors, Stingers and the BBC/CBC mini series, Bootleg.

Suzie Stapleton joins Sean in the cast of The Borough. Suzie's theatre credits include ATYP (Spurboard by Nick Enright) and she has appeared in MDA, All Saints and White Collar Blue on television.

Director Clare Watson is a graduate of the VCA directing course and credits as director include Smashed by Lally Katz, Hotel by Kylie Trounson and Sucker by Lawrence Leung.

While attending The Borough, don't forget to give yourself some time to view the Then and Now display in the theatre foyer.

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