Under The Radar

Having played to critical acclaim at Sydney’s Belvoir St Downstairs Theatre, ‘Woyzeck’ is coming to town next month as part of Brisbane Festival’s Under The Radar programme.

The play tells the tale of a man, Woyzeck, who’s providing for his family while battling poverty. His army salary is inadequate so he takes on extra jobs including one involving medical experiments. Meanwhile his wife begins an affair with another man much to the dismay of Woyzeck.

Brisbane performer Kat Henry joins the ensemble cast of ‘Woyzeck’, under the direction of Netta Yashchin, breathing life into lonely wife Marie. “I’m playing Marie,” Henry says, “who is the wife of Woyzeck. She lives a very difficult life - doesn't work but is bringing up a two-year-old child. She doesn’t see Woyzeck much because he’s always away with the army, doing experiments or trying to bring in money. So she feels lonely and wants some excitement in her life. Then she meets a dashing authoritarian figure who she wants sexually.”

Kat believes the show touches on some important themes.
“Dramatically, it’s dealing with poverty, fidelity, and the effects of a difficult life,” she says.

Kat is heavily involved in the performing arts as both a performer and a director and she admits not being the director on ‘Woyzeck’ was a “pleasure” and allowed her to fully embrace what she loves about performing. “I really enjoy performing as there’s something about bringing my mind, body and soul into that moment to create something really powerful,” she says. â€œI choose my projects really carefully and that means that I choose who is going to be my director, and I adore Netta. She’s a really good friend but also someone whose artistry I really respect and so it’s actually a pleasure to not have to make the decisions anymore. Because I love Netta and believe in what she does so much it’s actually really cool to go you tell me what to do and I’ll be yours.”

‘Woyzeck’ is on at the Sue Benner Theatre, Metro Arts from September 12 - 16.