Love, history and identity will collide on stage when Joanna Murray-Smith’s spine-tingling romantic thriller, Berlin, returns to Melbourne following its sell-out run in 2023.
Actor Lachlan Hamill describes watching Berlin at MTC in 2021 as the most incredible piece of theatre that he had ever seen – in fact, he ended up seeing it 3 times! “It asks some really big questions but so perfectly balances both sides of the conversation, says Hamill who will be wearing two hats as part of his involvement in the production. “I wanted to do the show because I wanted to tell Toms story, he is such a complex character and nothing like I’ve gotten to do before. I didn’t know if it would be produced again, so I decided to produce it myself.”
Hamill plays Tom, a young Australian guy who goes to Berlin to find himself. He’s trying to cope with his past and figure out how to start again. “I admire how passionate he is, how deeply he cares and his drive to fix things. He’s such an interesting character to explore, there’s always something new to discover.”
The story focuses son Charlotte, a Berliner through and through and Australian Tom. After meeting in a bar, sparks fly between them, and she invites him to spend the night at her place. As they navigate the ritual of seduction, their desire gives way to secrets that cannot be ignored and questions neither of them can answer.
As with all of her plays, Joanna Murray-Smith asks some pretty big questions and, says Hamill, the biggest question being asked in Berlin is ‘can we ever truly move on from the past?’.
“Berlin explores the idea of Love, history and identity and what happens when they collide. The beauty of Joanna’s writing is that she’s not trying to ‘say’, she’s asking you a question.”
Murray-Smith is one of Australia’s most celebrated playwrights, and there is no doubt that Hamill is a fan!
“I really love how she makes characters feel so alive. Her kind of writing is so exciting as an actor, it’s something that you just hope you get to work on. Two-handers are tricky; to strike the balance between pace, character development and plot but Joanna makes it all feel so effortless.”
But, it seems, Hamill is torn an actor when asked about what sorts of characters he most likes to play and what sorts of stories he most likes to tell.
“I was talking with a teacher about this the other day actually. It’s hard for me to pin down what characters or stories I like being a part of, but there is something inside of me that compels me towards things. It’s a feeling for me; I don’t think I can really explain it. I have a few dream roles, hopefully I’ll get to tick them off.”
There is no doubt about the challenges involved when it comes to producing and starring in a show. Hamill acknowledges that producing is a lot of work and, he quips, it ain’t cheap. “I think no matter where you are it will always be a really scary and stressful role. What I love about producing is the creative direction from putting together a team, to creating the aesthetic of the show, to the marketing content to the presentation. When I see that come together and work, it’s always an exciting feeling.”
He also acknowledges that it can be a tough balance between making sure you’re in the right headspace when working on the floor. “It’s so easy to be thinking as a producer all the time, so I try to be strict on myself on what role I’m playing in the rehearsal room or the theatre,” he says. “It’s also about having a team that understands that you’re wearing two hats and being clear about what hat you’re wearing when you offer an opinion.”
Produced by Little Life Productions, the provocative play explores the complex intersection of passion and the past. Prepare for a night of suspense, heartbreak, and unexpected twists, as two actors go head-to-head in an unforgettable theatrical showdown questioning whether love can truly survive the weight of history.
Says Hamill, “Berlin is really a play like no other. It’s the story of two young people falling in love, and what happens when the ghosts of their past catches up with them. I feel lucky to be a part of a story that moves people so deeply and I hope you’ll join us in the theatre.”
Berlin has now ended its run at Meat Market North Melbourne
