Connected by Curiosity | I And You asks life's biggest questions

Source: Knock and Run Theatre

Knock And Run Theatre is bringing the heartfelt and thought-provoking play I And You to local audiences this April - a funny, moving, and surprising story about connection, curiosity, and what it means to truly be alive.

Set entirely in a teenager’s bedroom over the course of a single evening, the play follows Caroline, a sharp and introspective high school student confined to her home due to illness. Her quiet isolation is interrupted when Anthony, an upbeat and slightly awkward classmate, unexpectedly arrives to work on a school project about the poetry of Walt Whitman and his famous collection Leaves of Grass.

What begins as a reluctant homework session soon unfolds into a lively exchange of ideas, humour and vulnerability. As the two teenagers debate Whitman’s poetry, music, science and the nature of the universe, they slowly begin to challenge each other’s perspectives... and discover just how deeply connected their lives may be.

Despite its philosophical themes, “I and You” is celebrated for its humour, warmth and fast-paced dialogue. With only two actors on stage, the play becomes an intimate theatrical experience where every moment relies on the chemistry and connection between the performers.

The Knock And Run Theatre production features Nyah Le as Caroline and Sam Lane as Anthony. Together, they bring to life two characters who are by turns funny, stubborn, curious and deeply human.

“Caroline has built a bit of a wall around herself,” says Nyah, who plays the role.

“But over the course of the play, you see those defences start to crack. It’s funny and awkward and heartfelt all at the same time.”

For Sam Lane, who plays Anthony, the joy of the play lies in the characters’ curiosity and energy. “Anthony is fascinated by everything: poetry, music, the universe. He’s someone who really believes that life is full of wonder, and that enthusiasm is infectious.”

Guiding the production is director James Chapman, whose work with emerging performers has become a hallmark of his creative practice. Chapman has spent more than a decade teaching and mentoring young actors through youth arts organisations like Hunter Drama, Young People’s Theatre and Tantrum Youth Arts, helping students develop confidence, creativity and a love of storytelling.

In a particularly meaningful full-circle moment, both actors appearing in this production were once students in Chapman’s classes at Hunter Drama. Now, years later, they find themselves collaborating professionally with their former teacher as part of Knock And Run Theatre’s latest production.

“For an acting tutor, this is the dream,” Chapman says.

“You work with young performers when they’re just discovering theatre, and then years later you get to stand in a rehearsal room with them as fellow artists. It’s incredibly rewarding.”

Chapman believes the play resonates because of its deceptively simple premise.

“On the surface, it’s two teenagers working on a homework assignment,” he explains.

“But underneath that, the play is asking these huge questions about life, connection, and the universe. Lauren Gunderson manages to explore those ideas while still being funny and deeply human.

”Alongside I and You, Knock And Run Theatre is also preparing its next major production: The Lifespan of a Fact, which will be staged at The Civic Theatre Playhouse in September. The fast-paced, razor-sharp play explores the tension among truth, storytelling, and journalistic integrity.

Based on the acclaimed nonfiction book by John D'Agata and Jim Fingal, the story follows an ambitious young fact-checker who is assigned to verify every detail of a literary essay — only to discover that the line between fact and art can be surprisingly blurry.

The upcoming production will be directed by Patrick Campbell and features a stellar three-person cast: James Chapman, Angela McKeown and Carl Caulfield. With its rapid-fire dialogue and intellectual sparring, the play promises to be a dynamic theatrical experience that balances humour, philosophy and high-stakes debate about truth in the modern world.

Source: Knock and Run Theatre

The Lifespan of a Fact has enjoyed international success, including a celebrated Broadway production starring Daniel Radcliffe, Cherry Jones and Bobby Cannavale. Australian audiences may also remember its acclaimed staging by Sydney Theatre Company in recent years. Knock And Run Theatre’s production brings this witty and thought-provoking work to local audiences, continuing the company’s commitment to presenting smart, engaging theatre that sparks conversation long after the curtain falls.

Over the past decade, Knock And Run Theatre has established itself as a vibrant force in the independent theatre scene, championing bold ideas, emerging artists, and original storytelling. Since its founding, the company has produced a diverse range of productions, from new Australian works and inventive adaptations to experimental performances and short-play festivals. Their productions have won numerous awards and have provided opportunities for dozens of local actors, writers and directors to develop their craft. Through highly successful productions like Now And Then, Ideation, Two Point Oh, Trevor and Suicide, Incorporated, Knock And Run Theatre has built a reputation for nurturing new talent while delivering imaginative and engaging theatre to audiences across the region.

At its heart, the play reflects Whitman’s famous line: “For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.” It’s a sentiment that resonates throughout the story, as two seemingly different teenagers discover the profound connections that link them.

Funny, philosophical and unexpectedly moving, I and You invites audiences to reflect on the small conversations that can change the way we see the world - and each other.

Knock And Run Theatre’s production of I and You promises an evening of theatre that is intimate, surprising and unforgettable. With only two actors, one room, and a story that unfolds in real time, audiences will find themselves drawn into a conversation that is by turns hilarious, thoughtful and deeply emotional.

Sometimes the biggest ideas in the universe begin with the simplest question: What happens when two people truly listen to each other?

I And You will be staged at The Royal Exchange on Bolton St, Newcastle from 8 – 11 April. Tickets are available at www.knockandruntheatre.com.