Izzy Stonehouse.
Camera IconIzzy Stonehouse. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie d495539

Izzy Stonehouse gets creative with Foxhunt for UDS

Tanya MacNaughtonEastern Reporter

UWA-BASED University Dramatic Society has been a launching pad for emerging creatives for more than 100 years and now Izzy Stonehouse has been added to the illustrious alumni list.

The third year ECU film and video student joined UDS during her first year at uni and makes her solo directing and writing debut with Foxhunt at Dolphin Theatre from September 18 to 21.

“It’s a little bit scary but so much fun,” Stonehouse, of East Fremantle, said.

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“The piece was developed in a writing workshop that UDS runs for new writers.

“It was partly inspired by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard which is a quirky, dark comedy with two bumbling sort of characters that I enjoy.”

Izzy Stonehouse. Andrew Ritchie d495539
Camera IconIzzy Stonehouse. Andrew Ritchie d495539 Credit: Supplied/Supplied

The Iona Presentation College graduate said Foxhunt was a re-imagining of the classic tales of Dutch mythology set in a forest full of murder and mystery.

The production is all about putting smaller personal struggle up against a bigger world.

“Carlisle has all of these internal issue and concerns she’s worrying about but is thrown into this world where everything is so much bigger than she is,” Stonehouse said.

“She’s working out how to face this bigger world by herself.”

Stonehouse’s delve into Dutch mythology was triggered by a television show where she discovered its influence across modern media was bigger than she realised.

“People know half the stories but they wouldn’t have any idea where they come from,” she said.

“The Disney Robin Hood film has foxes and bears and other animals because it was based off those stories.

“It was one of my favourite movies as a kid and I get excited telling people about it.”

Izzy Stonehouse. Andrew Ritchie d495539
Camera IconIzzy Stonehouse. Andrew Ritchie d495539 Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Stonehouse said it was a strange experience to see the cast of 10 bring her script to life in the rehearsal room.

“Because some of these characters in the show are established in folklore, they’ve been able to research them to decide whether they want to follow the traditional route or make the character their own,” she said.

“They have worked so hard, which has made my life incredibly easy.

“I’m thankful because I barely fit it all in while I’m doing extra units this semester to finish my degree. I get so many classmates telling me I’m crazy but I think I just work better under stress.”

THE ESSENTIALS

What: Foxhunt

Where: Dolphin Theatre, UWA

When: September 18 to 21

Tickets: www.ticketswa.com/event/foxhunt

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