STA caught up with Lieder Theatre favourite Martin Sanders to chat about the new production of Sam Shepherd’s Pulitzer Prize winning Fool for Love. Martin plays the role of the Old Man a Surreal, funny character offering a contrary point of view. The Old Man only exists in May and Eddie’s minds. His presence adds a dream-like quality to the play. Martin embraces this character and shines on stage.
Martin has worked with the Lieder company since the late 90’s playing a diverse range of characters.
After I left high school I chose a job as a Jackaroo over a position at Nepean College of the Arts studying theatre. While travelling and working in rural areas I continued to perform at camp fires, pubs and with community theatres.
A few years after settling in Goulburn I approached the Lieder and was immediately struck by the difference of this small theatre to others I had worked with. The sense of family and community is so strong, I haven’t looked back. Joining the Lieder Theatre gave me the opportunity to push my acting beyond the point of what I had done before. It was a huge learning curve, that I am still on.
The challenges keep coming, finding a character, making a story come alive and taking on diverse and complicated roles to create that magic of theatre.
Martin has found healing, family and community through working with the Lieder Theatre Company and this shows with warmth and generosity as he reminisces about his experiences performing locally and touring to the USA and Poland.
In recent years he was part of Journey Through Country written by Jennifer Lamb where he wrangled horses, acted and helped out at every opportunity. Martin performed in the CASP funded Interesting Mrs Abell written and directed by Annie Bilton where he brought to life no less than three characters; each demanding significant adjustment in voice and movement. Recently he starred in The Waltz a celebration of never growing old written by David Cole. The Waltz has been funded by an STA Top Spot grant to tour in 2022.
Don’t miss Fool For Love Starring Courtney McKenzie, Josh Waters, Martin Sanders and Ryan Paranthoiene at the Lieder Theatre 4-21 August 2021. Book Early as seats are limited.
Check out the Stories from the Studio feature on Director Ryan Paranthoiene
Check out the Lieder Theatre webpage or follow the Lieder on Facebook
The Lieder Theatre Company stages Sam Shepard’s Fool For Love
Sam Shepherd’s Pulitzer Prize nominated Fool For Love is a lean, tense, oddly funny drama set in a dive hotel at the edge of the Mojave desert. This twisted “cowboy romance” reunites Eddie and May who rediscover the surprising depths of their past conflicts. In one short, sharp act the audience is taken on a wild trip of emotions through the power and mess that can exist between ex-lovers who share a unique history. The play rips through themes of family, fate, dependance and the struggle to follow your dream. Shepard’s classic characters have cobbled together some sort of togetherness, but will the patterns of their lives allow for happiness?
Ryan Paranthoiene makes his Lieder Theatre Company directorial debut with this bold production. He was attracted to the prospect of directing Fool For Love because of the abundance of community spirit and flexibility he witnessed within the creative team at the Lieder. “Coming in with just an idea and a challenging script; every actor and crew member has given great suggestions, lots of input and feedback as this play has materialized and come to fruition on the stage. The Lieder is a home where things like this get done, and they get done well.” Fool For Love features Courtney Mackenzie, Josh Waters, Martin Sanders and Paranthoiene in what promises to be an understated yet explosively captivating performance.
Through searing truth and dark humour, Fool for Love shows the story of two people who just can’t live without each other whether they like it or not. May is hiding out at an old motel in the Mojave Desert. Eddie, an old flame and childhood friend, finds her there and threatens to drag her back into the life from which she had fled. Reality and dream; truth and lies; past and present mingle in an explosive, emotional experience. -New York Times
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