A Sign of the Times – The Follies

Overview

Ever looked at the guy holding the 'slow/stop' sign on a construction site and wondered if he was internally grappling with philosophical questions as he flips the sign? Probably not, but you will after seeing this play.

A Sign of The Times is a NIDA Independent and The Follies production written and directed by Stephen Helper and starring Scott Irwin, the play's central and only character. 'Man' is a former uni lecturer who, after it all gets too much at work and home, decides to give it all up and become the slow/stop man at construction sites. The audience is invited inside Man's head as he spends his days internally pondering life's big questions, using his knowledge of Shakespeare, Einstein, ancient Greek drama, T.S. Eliot and Robert Frost.

According to Helper, the play was inspired by a chance encounter at some road works with a "friendly, energised" workman who left a lasting impression on him. But despite the heavy intellectual content, Helper says audiences can expect the play to be "very,very funny."