Deborah Frances-White in Perth for Black Swan State Theatre Company production of her play Never Have I Ever

Anyone who has ever played drinking game Never Have I Ever knows its perchance to result in things getting rather messy, making it the perfect premise for Queensland-raised, UK-based Deborah Frances-White’s debut play of the same name. First premiered at the UK’s Chichester Festival Theatre in 2023, Never Have I Ever had its Australian premiere with Melbourne Theatre Company in February this year and the production is currently on stage with Black Swan State Theatre Company. The Guilty Feminist podcast creator, comedian and author of new release book Six Conversations We’re Scared To Have has been in the Black Swan State Theatre Company rehearsal room with director Kate Champion and actors Emily Rose Brennan, Ratidzo Mambo, Will O’Mahony and Deep Sroa. Frances-White said she had been really interested to see where Champion took the play, which features four long-time friends at a dinner party that turns into a volatile night surrounding race, class, privilege and hidden secrets. “That’s the great thing about theatre, it’s different everywhere,” Frances-White said. “The choices the actors make staging, the choices that the director and the actors make collaboratively can make it quite a different experience in the story and who we’re rooting for. “I feel like this play is, at its best, an emotional choose your own adventure. There are times when you’re siding with each different character. There are times when, because of the moral choices that they make or don’t make, or refuse to make, everyone who watches it usually says their allegiances start to change.” Relishing her opportunity to work with Champion and the cast, Frances-White is thrilled by how Perth audiences have so far embraced her play with big themes and a big moral dilemma at its heart. “We’re just getting started,” Frances-White said. “We opened last weekend to a full house, and from the amazing reaction we’ve received from Perth audiences so far, we’re expecting full houses throughout the season. Tickets are selling fast, so I’d really recommend grabbing yours now to avoid missing out.” Never Have I Ever is at Heath Ledger Theatre until July 6.

Deborah Frances-White in Perth for Black Swan State Theatre Company production of her play Never Have I Ever

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