Graduate returns to direct 'Emma'

USQ Alumnus Joanna Butler has returned the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) as guest director for the upcoming production of Jane Austen's Emma.

An Austen specialist, Joanna wrote the award winning play I Want to be in a Jane Austen Novel and is delighted to be back in Toowoomba to direct Emma.

'I was very excited when they offered it to me, it sounded perfect,' Joanna said.
 
Since graduating with a Bachelor of Theatre Arts (Acting) in 2001, Joanna has performed in various roles for the Harvest Rain Theatre Company in Brisbane including Susan in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Mary Warren in The Crucible and the Baker's Wife in Into the Woods.

A talented writer, performer and director she received a Matilda award nomination for The Bathroom Diaries which she wrote, performed in and produced. Most recently she directed her own adaptation of Little Women which was sold out.

Although training in acting, Joanna's career has focused more on writing and directing of late.

'I do love acting and if I could I'd act all the time! It seems to be a way of this industry though – following other pursuits to keep working and keep being creative. I love doing all of them – acting, writing and directing.'

Her passion for theatre and Jane Austen will make this classic tale of love, mischief and matchmaking a must see performance.

'Essentially Emma is about a girl called Emma who is rich, young, pretty and a bit bored. She decides to act as a matchmaker for her friend Harriett and discovers a lot about herself and that the way she sees the world is different to how it actually is,' Joanna said.

'It's a play about how characters see the world around them, however what they see is usually only what they want to see. Even though they think they are talking about the same thing they are hardly ever on the same page.

'As an audience you think you're seeing one thing but then clues will come up and you'll discover that something else is going on. Gradually things get revealed as the story plays out.'

A must for the Austen fans Joanna said Emma is also great ‘date theatre'.

'Women would love it. It's great ‘date theatre' because it is quite romantic, but of course would be ideal for a girls' night out.

'It's a night of light, froth and bubbles. A charming comedy and should be very entertaining. It's not too deep and dark.

'Its got everything you would expect in an Austen play – the handsome gentlemen, balls, gowns, walks on the lawn and cups of tea.'

Previews of the show take place on Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 September at 7.30pm. Opening night is Friday 7 September, where Symphony Hill Wines will be operating a bar during interval and after the performance.

Emma continues on Saturday 8, Friday 14 & Saturday 15 September at 7:30pm with matinees on Sunday 9 and 15 September - 2.00pm and Thursday 13 September - 11.00am.

All shows are in the USQ Arts Theatre. Tickets are$21.00 Adult, $17.00 Concession, $16.00 Preview and $11.00 School Group >20. Contact the USQ Box Office on (07) 4631 1111 or visit the website www.usq.edu.au/performancecentre for information.

Media Contact: Jane Urquhart USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559