Nothing’s a secret in Fortitude Street, not on Hard Rubbish Day anyway. Two young brothers rifle through the neighbourhood’s debris of secrets and stories left out on the street for all to see, and with playful musical precision and magical inventiveness,
the brothers turn the junk on the footpath into an entire tapestry of the street’s characters, controversies and current events. With their innocent naivety, the boys retell the good, bad and ugly of the street. They know everyone’s name, where they live, and what they do. They know about the old man with the dogs in No 17, the girl who won’t eat in No 28, and the dodgy uncle who visits No 18, and now the biggest event of all has happened right on their street and they can’t wait to see what will happen after.... after Hard Rubbish Day, after the teenage party at no. 14 went viral and the house was destroyed, after the rioting, after the police, after the newspapers and TV crews.
A fast-paced, thought-provoking play full of live music, comedy, multiple characters and created through a series of workshops with over 50 secondary students and in partnership with The Royal Children’s Hospital Integrated Mental Health Program, Headspace, Family Life - Shine Program, Centrelink, Young Carers Association, Mornington Peninsula Youth Services, Mornington Shire, YMCA & the Victoria Police. “Hard Rubbish Day” continues Full-On Theatre’s commitment to presenting powerful, hard-edged and educative productions for Secondary Schools.
What audiences have said about the show and the making of it:
"The kids found it engaging and funny, but they also left the theatre with a good understanding of the themes. Quote from student, "Don't give up on life." Ballarat Grammar 29/5/13
" The concept was a 'much needed' issue - that needs to be discussed in schools. Hard rubbish Day was an engaging play which was in parts very funny, as well as full of pathos, very well acted and opened plenty of doors for discussion. The students thoroughly enjoyed the performance." Judy Heckman - Wellbeing Coordinator - Luther College 4/12/12
"The students were fully engaged with very relevant subject material and an excellent follow up debrief." Brett Brookman - Teacher Luther College 4/12/12
"I loved the variety of characters. The show was a good reflection on a few issues that are relevant to year 9 students looking at mental health issues" Yvonne de Raus - Teacher Luther College 4/12/12
" A lot of people came up to me and they were like crying and they were like, “that was so good”, “that was an inspiration”. My friend’s whole family, they were all really crying, his mum, dad, grandparents, all crying because it like tugged on the heartstrings a little bit.” – Student - Western Port Secondary College (April 2012)
“I’ll never forget the actual play itself because I guess it dwells on some pretty heavy themes” - Student - Dromana Secondary College
(April 2012)
“Words cannot describe the benefit of this project on the young people involved. I believe it is life changing.” – The Royal Children’s Hospital - Festival for Healthy Living - (April 2012)
“I’ve been feeling a little more happy. Before the play I was feeling really deflated most of the time and I’d be feeling really sad and I would be moping around the house and wouldn’t be doing much. Ever since this, I found out how to stop being deflated.” - Student Western Port Secondary College (April 2012)
"I firstly wanted to say congratulations on a fantastic show, not only did you cover some very difficult topics but you did it in such a sensitive and respectful way. The children quickly felt safe to share their story which is a reflection on your great work and ability to engage with the youth. I was inspired to watch the children’s confidence grow and I was blown away at the level of talent you were able to uncover within the creative team.
I also wanted to reflect on what a big thing you have offered the children who participated, firstly for many of them it may have been the first time that they have experienced unconditional positive regard and had their talents nurtured and recognised. I watched many of the children be inspired by your natural ability and talent and from there had a desire to work hard. Many of the children prior to this project may not have experienced the high of having a success which you have also shown them. It is also amazing that for some of the students it may also be the beginning of finding a direction in life that is different from their past experiences and offering them the gift of hope and finding their passion in life.
As we discussed during the workshops finding your niche in life has a massive impact on long term mental health and offers a much brighter prognosis for the future for these young stars. Well done guys it has been a pleasure working with you both your enthusiasm and commitment to the project made it an enjoyable experience for those involved to be apart of. Finally I wanted to thank you for the professional way you conducted the workshops and then rehearsals and your communication with the partnering agencies, keep doing what you do." - Kerryn McLauchlan - SHINE Family Worker (April 2012)
“The students are studying a module ‘Imagine Telling Stories’. The performance was a great introduction because it resonated with the way humans make meaning of their lives through telling stories. The performance was highly relevant as it expressed the way we can compose stories, which are ‘fact’ and ones which are ‘fiction’. The performance was excellent. Very professional and engaging.” Alex Listo St Pious X College, Chatswood, NSW. June 2014
“The performers were fantastic the way they portrayed humour and pathos extremely well. The use of the sound track with the acting, and the quick changing of characters and they way they used the hard rubbish props had the students and staff captivated.” Keturah Jones, Nowra Anglican College, June 2014.
Contact: Dave Houston
Mobile: (61) 0411 710 081
email: [email protected]
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