Black comedy a moving stretch

By Bridget Cook
MOVING, filthy and extraordinarily funny is how acclaimed actor, John Wood, described his show Stretch Of The Imagination coming to the Drum Theatre next month.
Stretch Of The Imagination is a black comedy, which will introduce us to the painfully lonely work of Monk O’Neill, one of the great comic creations of Australian dramatic literature.
Monk spends the whole of the play reminiscing on his past. The memories of old friends, enemies, and lovers are all very real to him.
You are invited to spend an entertaining day with the hot-tempered Monk O’Neill, played by John Wood.
Mr Wood, a Gold Logie winner for his role as Senior Sergeant Tom Croydon in Blue Heelers, said in a sense Monk’s journey was every body’s journey.
“It brings the memories of all the people who are in, or have been in our lives. The ones we loved, hated, were indifferent to or made love to.”
From its first performance in 1972, Stretch Of The Imagination has been recognised as one of the classics of Australian theatre.
Mr Wood is one the oldest actors to ever play Monk.
“I bring a wealth of both life and theatrical experience. I hope it is remembered as one of the better things I’ve done,” he said.
Mr Wood said he hoped that the play would bring a great deal of pleasant nostalgia to the audience.
“I hope people will think about themselves a bit, where they are in their lifes journey, and their relationships with themselves and others.”
It will bring the audience to new ways of thinking about themselves and the country in which we live when this complex piece of theatre comes to the Drum theatre.
The show does contain strong language and adult themes. The play will be at the Drum Theatre on Saturday 18 April, at 8pm. For details or tickets contact Drum Theatre box office on 9771 6666.