Concrete Playground

When Sydney Theatre Company released their 2009 program including an "untitled project" from Steven Soderbergh, there were some grumpy mummers from prospective subscribers who felt that being asked to sign up for a play nobody knew anything about was a bit rich, or, worse, that the company was over-investing in international celebrity appeal as if glittery names like Steven Soderbergh were enough in and of themselves.

When Soderbergh finally announced what the production would be several months ago, the murmuring was far from hushed. That he was basing his project on a real life child homicide case that is yet to go to trial was enough to whip up a mild flurry of outrage - and we all know there's nothing like a bit of controversy to conjure public interest.

In fact the machine of publicity and media scandal lies at the heart of this new play. Using the still-unfolding mysterious story of murdered Florida toddler Caylee Anthony, it will draw on themes of parental neglect and the eternal appeal of murder mysteries and crime investigation, but also on the nature of media frenzies and sensationalist public spectacle in the modern age. This much anticipated final production of STC's 2009 Main Stage season has been extended until February 7.

Image courtesy of Picture Media.