Jacqui Warner (right) stars as the overbearing mother of Tom, played by Benedict Chau.
Camera IconJacqui Warner (right) stars as the overbearing mother of Tom, played by Benedict Chau. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Canning Vale resident Benedict Chau learning about dysfunctional families in The Anniversary

Ben SmithCanning Gazette

CANNING Vale resident Benedict Chau is learning all about dysfunctional families and mothers-in-law from hell.

He’s appearing in Marloo Theatre’s latest offering, The Anniversary – a black comedy where a mother binds her three sons to her with gifts, threats and ruthless exploitation of their weaknesses.

Chau plays the youngest son Tom. He said his character’s feelings about his mother were fairly blunt.

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“He’s the larrikin who dreams of his mum’s death and may surrender people he cares about to help dig her grave – metaphorically speaking,” he said.

Chau, who won a best actor award for University Lockdown in 2009, has worked in various odd jobs in film and performed in Finger in the Dyke with Herding Cat Productions and The Jungle Book at Marloo Theatre.

He said he was quite fortunate to land the role of Tom given he initially had no plans to audition for the role.

“With The Anniversary, I simply tagged along to the audition to hang out with friends I had appeared with in The Jungle Book,” Chau said.

“I kind of suckered myself into auditioning and got the role of Tom.”

The Anniversary plays at 8pm on April 27 and 28, May 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 16, 18 and 19 with 2pm matinees on April 29, May 6 and 13. Tickets are $22, but $20 for concession and $18 for members.