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As
his many British fans already know, American writer Bill Bryson
specialises in going to countries we think we know well, only to
return with travelogues that are surprisingly cynical and yet shockingly
affectionate.
His
unique style is possibly best suited to the world's weirder destinations
and Bryson's latest subject is that oddest of continents, Australia.
For
a start, there's the oddly nasty fauna and flora. Barely a page
of Down Under is without its lovingly detailed list of lethal antipodean
critters: sociopathic jellyfish, homicidal crocs and toilet-dwelling
death-spiders. Bryson's absorbing and informative portrait is of
a terrain so intractably vast, a land so climatically extreme, it
seems expressly designed to daunt and torment humankind.
This
throws up an Aussie paradox. If the country is so hostile how come
the natives are so laid back?
This
is a country of lads and mates, of boozy gamblers - nowadays mellowed
by sunshine and sporting success.
Down
Under has been adapted for the stage and directed by Paul Hodson
and stars hilarious Comedy Store Player, Steve Steen.
Steve
appeared at the Edinburgh Festival in 2003 where he performed alongside
Stephen Frost, Jim Sweeney, Andy Smart and Richard Vranch in an
improvisation show called Stephen Frosts Improv All Stars.
He
also regularly featured in the last series of Bremner, Bird and
Fortune on Channel 4.
Director
Paul Hodson has written episodes of Is Harry on the boat? and Mile
High for Sky One. Paul was the lead writer on the first four series
of Dream Team for Hewland/Sky One, and has written several episodes
of BBC1's Doctors, as well as Goal! a television series for BBC
World. He has also directed the stage adaptations of Notes From
A Small Island, The Lost Continent and Fever Pitch.
Bill
Bryson's Down Under starring Steve Steen ppears at the Theatre Royal
Bath on Sunday 18th April at 7.30pm. Tickets priced at £14 & £16
are available from the Box Office on 01225 448844.
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