resource pack

• Who is Andrew Bovell?

  A critically acclaimed Australian playwright
• How did Andrew Bovell first connect with Frantic Assembly?

  By observing their development rehearsals
• What emotional themes does Andrew Bovell explore in the play?

  The cycle of familial love and obligations
• Why is lighting dominant in Cobham's design?

  To create a heightened surreal world
• What emotional reaction does the "cave" of light bulbs represent in the play?

  Bob's attempt to contain his family life
• What themes does the play capture according to Geoff Cobham?

  Social economic shifts in Australian families
• How does Cobham view the universality of the play's themes?

  They resonate beyond Australian specifics
• What was the decision regarding the setting of the play for the UK production?

  To keep the original Australian setting
• Why did Cobham and Geordie decide against using specific Australian accents in the UK production?

  It felt like a technical barrier to the play
• What role does music play in the production according to Cobham?

  It is a vital element that supports the narrative
• Why was Nils Frahm chosen for the music in the production?

  His range of work provided flexibility
• What is the significance of finding a perfect connection between scene and music?

  It informs how to use the rest of the music
• What was the purpose of the Research & Development phase in creating the show?

  To explore ideas and develop a consensus
• How did improvisation contribute to the development of the play?

  It revealed complexities of family life
• What was the focus of the physical world being developed by Cobham?

  To explore themes through movement and tension
• What are the main themes explored in Things I Know To Be True?

  • Family dynamics
  • Love and loss
  • Economic shifts in society
  • Universal human experiences
• What is the significance of the "cave" of light bulbs in the play?

  • Represents Bob's contained family life
  • Symbolizes his lack of travel and experience
  • Creates an emotional atmosphere for the audience
• Who were the cast members mentioned in the study material?

  Alison Bell, Eugenia Fragos, Scott Graham
• What was the purpose of improvisation in the cast's process?

  To explore generational tensions and family complexities
• How did Andrew contribute to the exploration of family themes?

  By giving actors scenarios for improvisation
• What was the focus of the physical world being developed in parallel?

  To explore themes through tension and movement
• What was Andrew's feeling at the end of the session?

  He felt secure in the world to explore
• Why is it important to allow room for enlightenment in the creative process?

  To avoid overwhelming emerging ideas
• What question did one actor ask regarding ideas?

  When do ideas come and how are they formed?
• How does the author describe the common misconception about idea formation?

  As immaculate and private, like an epiphany
• What musical influence did Geordie and the author feel was necessary?

  The minimalist music of Nils Frahm
• What visual reference did designer Geoff Cobham suggest?

  The Talking Heads film Stop Making Sense
• What dual nature does Andrew's work embody according to the author?

  It is both poetic and naturalistic
• What is the significance of 'theatrical lift off' in the play?

  It allows emotional moments to soar and explode
• What does the author suggest about the nature of ideas in the creative process?

  They can come early or late and are often collaborative
• How did the author want to portray Rosie’s experience with Emmanuel?

  As beautiful and seductive for the audience
• What was the author's approach to developing ideas during the process?

  To keep them simple and open to change
• How does the author describe the relationship between personal experiences and the work?

  Personal experiences were drawn into the work
• What theme emerged as key during the development of the play?

  The idea of "home"
• What did the author reflect on after their mother's death?

  The passing of time and memories of home
• What was the significance of the backyard in the play's setting?

  It became the iconic setting for family life
• What was the initial title of the play before it was changed?

  The Price of Love
• How did the title change to Things I Know to be True come about?

  Geordie suggested it after group discussions
• What was the author's emotional state while writing the script?

  Rich emotional world from personal experiences
• What was the focus of the workshop after the first draft was written?

  To work on scenes and movement sequences