I'M YOUR MAN

“The more you sweat, the less you bleed”

Using a combination of headphone-verbatim, audio-scripting and intense physical training, I’m Your Man explores notions of masculinity, courage and respect. Armed with her trusty audio-recorder, director Roslyn Oades follows a high-profile professional boxer through his preparation for a world title fight. Along the way she meets some extraordinary personalities - past legends and failed contenders whose lives have been irreversibly changed by the fight game.

I’m Your Man is set in the boxing gym and we are interested in this space as a place of dreaming – dreams of escape, of glory, of a better life. The walls are covered in inspirational quotes, bodies are in constant motion and minds are elsewhere. The stakes are high. Everyone wants to be special; we all have something to prove; and the only thing that’s certain – no matter how high you fly, you will eventually lose. A sweaty, energy-fuelled study of a contemporary masculine drama, I’m Your Man will situate the audience in the moment, at the centre of the action.

Roslyn’s previous works include the critically acclaimed Stories of Love & Hate (Urban Theatre Projects/BYDS, 2008) and Fast Cars & Tractor Engines (UTP/BYDS, 2005). I’m Your Man is the final piece in a trilogy exploring acts of courage and continues Roslyn’s long-term collaboration with community consultant Tim Carroll (BYDS Director) and performers Mohammed Ahmad and Katia Molino. The talented Bob Scott returns as sound designer and we welcome the addition of movement director Lee Wilson, script dramaturg Raimondo Cortese, new cast members Justin Rosniak & John Shrimpton and boxing trainer, Billy Mac.

I’m Your Man is in the final stages of development and will go into production in early 2012. Over the last 12 months the project has enjoyed two fantastic week-long creative developments on the floor with the core artistic team and an extensive research and development period. This development has been made possible through the generous support of Company B’s B Sharp creative development program and its partnership with the Macquarie Group Foundation; the Australian Government through the Australian Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body; BYDS; Bankstown City Council and Playwriting Australia.

ARTISTIC TEAM:

Roslyn Oades writer / director

Tim Carroll BYDS director / collaborator

Mohammed Ahmad performer / collaborator

Katia Molino performer / collaborator

Justin Rosniak performer / collaborator

John Shrimpton performer / collaborator

Bob Scott sound artist / collaborator

Lee Wilson movement director / collaborator

Annette Madden project partner / collaborator

Raimondo Cortese script dramaturg

Billy Mac boxing trainer / consultant