About Samuthra

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G SELVA, DIRECTOR OF SAMUTHRA

G Selva started his theatre experience with Ravindran Drama Group, a prominent bilingual theatre group in Singapore, since 1988. He started off as an actor and soon progressed to writing and directing his own plays. Besides being a dramatist, he is well known in Singapore as a popular television celebrity. He has hosted many Tamil television programs and was nominated for Best Actor award at the 1997 ‘Pesta Pradhana’ award ceremony by Singapore Television 12 Network for acting in the first ever-Tamil sitcom in Singapore “Amali Thumali”. He was awarded the Most Popular Celebrity award by Singapore’s Media Corp Television’s Vasantham Central in April 2001. His credentials include the Distinguished Artist Award by President of Singapore, His Excellency S R Nathan in Oct 2000.

He has just finished the Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in media arts and drama at Deakin University with support from Singapore’s National Arts Council. He is a versatile actor, director, playwright and an Indian classical dancer where his dance exposure was initiated from Apsaras Arts Singapore and has travelled widely representing Singapore in major festivals and delegations.

“ This is my second contribution as director to Melbourne Fringe Festival, the first being last year’s, “Two Spicy Masala’. This year, I am venturing into areas that I have never been before. Secrets of women that shocked me served as inspiration for Samuthra. Samuthra means waterway in Sanskrit. Through this waterway, I am bringing forth residue of secrets that women washed off themselves and I would like to show the immense flow of emotions that triggered and touched many senses creating a multiple stature for this production. Japanese Butoh and Tadashi Suzuki’s training methods which I learnt as part of my degree inspired me to adopt these art forms to show that they have their unique captivating features. To me, these art forms are similar to the fundamentals and intense training that I went through during my Bharathanatyam training years, where the centre of energy and connecting to the ground were vital in realising the purpose and the nuances of the art. Last but not least, I am glad I could introduce some workshops and visual education sessions for the casts performing today. We might not have mastered the art completely, but definitely these workshops have triggered a seed for development in a few of us”.

CAST OF SAMUTHRA

Rebecca Smith

Rebecca is doing her first year Arts/Health Science Degree at Deakin University while working part time in the retail industry. Besides enjoying hobbies like designing and drawing, drama has always been her passion. Her acting experiences include studies Theatre Studies as a VCE subject, being part of House Drama in High school in 1997 to 1999 and also played the lead role in 2000. She was the House Drama Captain in 2001 and took part in House Dance Competitions in 2000 and 2001. “I like hanging around with friends, going out at night. I find studying health behaviours really interesting.”

Sheersha Perera

The return of “The Hybrid” child…Sheersha Perera who is a Media/Drama graduate from Deakin University. She is currently working on her honours film, which explores the restrictions imposed on women by their respective culture and tradition, especially women artists. “This is my second production experience with Avant Theatre & Language and just like last year I feel like the work that I am involved with is a great creative outlet for me as an actor exploring various mediums and keeping my passion for acting alive. ”

Kate Cullin

Since the age of ten, Kate has been involved in theatre and has developed a love for the performing Arts. She is currently working in Swan Hill and has been travelling four hours for every rehearsal following her passion for acting. “Avant Theatre & Language has once again given me the privilege of performing in the Fringe Festival. My maiden performance with them was in Melbourne Fringe 2002. My involvement in "Lamenting" last year taught me many theatrical aspects of performing in an intercultural play. It gives me great pleasure to be a part of yet another creative and wonderful team one again. ”

Valerie Duthil

Valerie is pursuing her Bachelor of Performing Arts at Monash University and is one who believes strongly in setting and achieving goals for ultimate success. Her recent stage credits include the world premier Musical called "The White Rose" which was performed in Melbourne and Singapore and Euripides "Alcestis". “My passion and enthusiasm for the stage started from when I was just 9 years of age. Through the years, I have had extensive training and experience in various areas of performing in particular theatre and film. ”

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