current production

Following the success of The Haunting of Daniel Gartrell in 2011, Straightjacket Productions is proud to announce an up-coming tour. Details soon!

ELLIS PRODUCTIONS in association with Peter Marks presents
a STRAIGHTJACKET PRODUCTION of


featuring: John Wood, Samuel Johnson & Marcella Russo

... a different journey than the one you imagined ...

season: May 20th – June 12th, 2011
prices: Full $38 / Concession $33
previews: May 20th – May 22nd, $25
tight-arse tuesdays: May 31st & June 7th, $25
times: Tues – Sat 8pm, Sun 6.30pm
venue: fortyfivedownstairs
45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, 3000

directed by: Lucy Freeman
set design: Tanja Beer & Jacquie Holland
lighting design: Scott Allan
sound design/composer: David Ellis
special effects design: Lachlan Tetlow-Stuart

Daniel Gartrell – John Wood
Craig Castevich – Samuel Johnson
Sarah Gartrell – Marcella Russo

producer: Helen Ellis
associate producer: Peter Marks
stage manager/operator: Canada White
assistant director: Margaret Allen
set construction: Gus Leunig
associate lighting designer: Rose Connors Dance
costume & props: Christine Grant
graphic design, digital imaging: Robyn Grove Design
website: Robyn Grove Design, Jason Lowder & Jacob Zhivov
publicity: Jillian Bowen
social media campaign: Marissa Cooke
social media video: directed by Marissa Cooke, shot & edited by Stuart Liddell
artwork photography: Steven Rhall Photography
artwork makeup: Mia' Kate Russell
publicity photography: Matt Deller
directors menotrees: Amy Jenkins & Tabatha Veness

Under an ochre sky something happened at Mt. Ragged. The incident inspired celebrated bush poet Daniel Gartrell’s (John Wood) most analysed piece of verse ... a poem that’s final verse has never been published. Now an enigma, Gartrell lives as a recluse in the suburbs, his only contact is with his daughter, Sarah (Marcella Russo). Gartrell is at home, thinking very oblique thoughts when an emerging actor from Bondi, Craig Castevich (Samuel Johnson), knocks on his door. The ambitious and optimistic Castevich has been cast to play Gartrell in a biographical movie, and in his research for the role, is ready for anything ... or so he thinks. Castevich is metaphorically plonked in the drivers seat of a car and sent screaming over a hill on the wrong side of the road with absolutely no control of the steering wheel. The Haunting of Daniel Gartrell by Reg Cribb is a humourous, thought provoking and quintessentially Australian story that presents a different journey than the one you imagined.