Constructing a human heart

Director Brett Adam had his work cut out for him on Ross Mueller’s award-winning play Construction of the Human Heart.
The play tells the story of two scriptwriters who deal with the loss of their son through words.
Unfolding through the realm of the theatre, the production blurs the line between fiction and reality, turning a simple directors job into a somewhat complicated one.
But having worked together for more than 10 years, Adam and Mueller pulled it off, with Construction of the Human Heart nominated for five Green Room Awards, a New York Dramatists Award and a 2007 AWGIE Award.
It was the unique form of the production that attracted Adam.
“I don’t want to give to much away, but its not like other theatre productions,” he said.
“The play actually begins in the theatre itself, so it explores human relationships through the medium of theatre.”
Adam, originally from Sydney, started a gay and lesbian theatre company in Melbourne in the early years of his career and was artistic director of St Martin’s Youth Arts Centre from 2000-2004.
He now works as a freelance theatre director and acting teacher, and is inspired by new writing that investigates form.
“I find a lot of theatre really boring,” he said. “Film and television does what theatre does a lot better. So what interests me is theatre that is really theatre, rather than theatre that is trying to be film and television.”
Construction of the Human Heart stars Maria Theodorakis from Halifax F.P and Stingers, and Todd MacDonald from The Secret Life of Us, Blue Heelers and Neighbours.
After successful seasons in Perth and Melbourne, the play has now opened at the Belvoir St theatre, becoming the eighth production in the 2007 B Sharp season.
Construction of the Human Heart is on now at Belvoir St Downstairs Theatre, and it runs until Sunday, 28 October. Tickets are $29/$23. Book on 9699 3444 or www.belvoir.com.au.