Nuclear disaster has scorched the land. What remains is a ruthless and primitive world. This desert wasteland is populated by those with the affliction, a disease caused by an addictive substance called Mud. Isolated communities fence themselves in against marauders in order to protect themselves and their most valuable resource: water. One such community is in possession of the only known well on the central plains. When a stranger arrives from the wastelands showing signs of the Affliction, the community is plunged into a decision as to whether they will help the stranger, or send him back into the desert. This challenges the community’s strong moral code, their compassion and ultimately their unity. Andrew Wright’s new play is a meditation on morality, hypocrisy and our often violent response to ‘the other’. It is a play about ‘community fear’ and the terrible places it can take us when it is unchecked by reason and compassion.  The Well, questions the responsibility that communities have to their most disadvantaged members and explores why we are often reticent, as individuals, to speak up in the presence of injustice.  Goat Track Theatre Company is a company committed to the creation of original theatrical works with young people for young people.

This production contains low level references to drugs and suicide. It also contains medium level violence.

 

Educational Extras: School groups are offered a free post show discussion with the writer/director, dramaturg, and several of the actors. Teacher’s notes will be made available two weeks prior to the show. These notes will contain activities for pre and post show activities, and will explore the process by which the show has been created. It will also have process dramas, thematic overviews, interviews, synopsis, design information and more.      
Additional drama workshops are avialbale on request.