Brotherboys: The Story of Jim and Phillip Krakouer adapted for the stage
IT WAS a poignant moment when playwright Reg Cribb and football great Jim Krakouer sat down and had a yarn about Cribb's plans to write a stage play about the Krakouer brothers.
"Jimmy said to me once, 'Everyone knows the bad stuff, no point trying to hide it'," Cribb said.
Krakouer's downfall from football superstardom to inmate at Casuarina Prison for drug possession will be retold in Cribb's stage adaptation of author Sean Gorman's compelling book
Brotherboys: The Story of Jim and Phillip Krakouer for
Deckchair Theatre in Fremantle from May.
Simply called
Krakouer!, Cribb's adaption is a re-telling of the story of the challenges the Krakouer brothers, Jim and Phil, faced in their rise to the top of their game in the WAFL and VFL -- their skill, daring and resilience both on and off the sporting field -- and the controversy and adversity that has met them throughout their lives.
Cribb, a former WAFL Colts player whose father played for Perth in the early 1960s and whose own league aspirations ended in the 1980s when, in his own words, he 'discovered girls and parties', said even the front cover of
Brotherboys had brought back 'joyous and vivid memories' of the brothers' exploits.
"The Krakouer brothers' story is such a rollercoaster ride of emotion that I knew it would make great theatre," Cribb said. "It was obvious reading Sean's passionate account of their lives that, above all else, he was a massive fan of the Krakouers and footy in general."
The play follows the Krakouers from their time as juniors in Mt Barker to Claremont and North Melbourne and beyond, warts and all.
"We see them become North Melbourne superstars then to their inglorious (AFL) retirement when injuries and suspensions take their toll," Cribb said. "We take the audience through to the present day. As many people are aware, Jimmy and Phil's story is full of highs and lows and we don't shy away from showing the heartache surrounding Jimmy's downfall."
Gorman said he was thrilled and humbled in equal parts by the adaption. He said he had seen the draft and was pleased with what he had read.
"I have read two drafts so far; one about 12 months ago and an amended draft about two months ago," Gorman said. "It looks quite good as it covers a lot of ground and is very funny in places which I think captures the Krakouer's humour as brothers. Phillip is bloody funny when he gets going and Jim's humour is very dry so I think Reg has done really well in that regard.
"I'm just glad the book now has another life and people can engage with the story on a different level. Who knows it may even become a film."
The play, directed by Marcelle Schmitz, stars Nyoongar man Dennis Simmons as Jim, and Murri man Sean Dow as Phil.
"We searched long and hard for the right actors; they had to have a combination of talent as well as a passion for the game," Cribbs said. "We were lucky to secure the talents of Dennis, who loves his footy, and Sean, who gave a great audition.
"(Sean) had the right combination of cheekiness and fleet-footedness that Phil was so famous for. Sure, he is a Murri from north Queensland and he loves his rugby league but by the time he hits the stage in May, he will be a deadly left-foot goalsneak!"
Krakouer! is one of several plays in Deckchair Theatre's first season. It will be performed at Victoria Hall in Fremantle (179 High Street) from May 30 to June 20 and there will be 18 performances including two previews.
A spokeswoman from Deckchair said they are currently investigating the touring potential of the show with a view to touring it around Western Australia as well as in the east.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Last Modified on 27/01/2009 17:39