Overview
Armed with a bunch of chalk, a set coated in blackboard paint and a soundtrack ranging from Bob Dylan to The Backstreet Boys, Anya Tate-Manning is going to tell you a story. It is a true story; one heavy with loss but buoyed by lasting friendship. My Best Dead Friend is a portrait of memories of two formative events in Tate-Manning's life — one night amongst friends on the streets of Dunedin in December 1998, and her best friend's funeral. She illustrates the events — quite literally throughout her one-woman show — candidly and with affectionate humour. Her tale is accompanied by the lyrics of musical greats and the rhymes of esteemed poetic talents.
My Best Dead Friend is the first production in this year's MATCHBOX season at Q Theatre, previously known as Q Presents. The show has already had one successful run at last year's Perth Fringe World Festival, where it was nominated for the West Australian Arts Editor's award. This time round it is being produced by Zanetti Productions, who seem to be making a habit of producing standout shows by outspoken performers. So lock in something in to look forward to while the cold nights stretch on, and book discounted tickets to all three of the MATCHBOX season's shows to tide you over until the warmer months.
Image: Zanetti Productions