Tommy Burnett
Arts North West
Tommy Burnett is a young and emerging playwright based in the New England region of northern New South Wales. His work predominantly explores the complex nature of the human experience through both absurdist and naturalistic lenses.
During the early stages of post-COVID 19 society, Tommy crafted his debut one-act play entitled “You & Me” (2023). Through absurdism the ridiculous yet damaging nature of isolation and separation was discussed, serving to provide a commentary on the handling of COVID-19 in Australia.
In his latest one-act work, “Mirage”, submitted as part of his HSC as well as in the Horizons Virtual Showcase, Tommy developed his writing style to present a more naturalistic portrayal of the human experience, allowing him to challenge audiences to consider the complexity of relationships through an intricate dichotomy between reality and illusion.
In addition to playwriting, Tommy is also an enthusiastic actor and musician. His latest role being Billy Flynn in The Armidale School’s production of Chicago (2024).
Artwork description
Mirage, 2024, One Act Play
Artist Statement
Mirage seeks to expose the true complexities of humans and their relationships through the experiences, emotions, and failed dreams of married couple Martha and Emmett.
In the construction of this play, I explored various ideas and themes which were influenced heavily by my own observations of the inherent challenges in marriage. One of these challenges can be seen through the nature of truth in relationships, and how– in the attempt to live a life of perfection– the truth tends to inflict damaging consequences into our experiences, emotions, and significantly; our dreams. The idea of reality vs illusion is also fundamental to Mirage, and is achieved through the character of Martha, as well as the ambiguity of the characters’ dialogue and their situations which ensures that the truth is never revealed to its full capacity; an idea greatly inspired by Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.
Throughout Mirage, the build up of dramatic tension and its subsequent realise when Emmett’s illusion is broken, is critical in exposing what is reality and what is an illusion, leaving the audience with a vast array of questions upon the draw of the final curtain, but also allowing them to identify the effects of death and trauma on the individual. My adoption of magical realism in Mirage, serves to examine these themes, in a raw, confronting, insightful, and real perspective. Which ultimately, challenges audiences to consider their own introspection and how important it is to embrace reality, our imperfections, and the truth– especially to those who we love and care for.
Mirage aims to confront us with the true nature of our relationships, and the necessity of accepting our flaws, failures, and mistakes, even if it hurts us, our dreams, or those we love the most.
Tommy was mentored by Author Gabrielle Tozer
Tommy’s Creative work
