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 Photo - Ponch Hawkes
And When He Falls is an enthralling 75 minutes during which the bloody Plantagenet Kings of England are resurrected on stage through the words of Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare. Acclaimed actorJohn Stanton revels in this opportunity to fulfill a life’s passion to perform his most beloved monologues about this dynasty. And When He Falls combines political and sexual intrigue, tainted bloodlines and rampant blood lust in a medieval royal scandal that lasted 300 years.
In the early 1300s the English crown was brought to its nadir by the cavalier King Edward II and kept there by Edward III who instigated the Hundred Years War. The reckless and feckless Richard II was usurped by Henry IV, who keeled over from stress, whilst the next Henry (V) was a psychopath who acted out on the battlefields of Harfleur and Agincourt. Henry VI saw England slide into lawlessness and chaos whilst Henry VII succumbed to insanity and the Wars of the Roses. Edward IV’s untimely demise saw Edward V fall foul of his uncle, the physically and mentally malformed Richard III. Defeated in battle, Richard’s crown was found under a bush and given to Henry Tudor, who became Henry VII, ushering in a new time of peace.
Actor John Stanton first became known to Australian audiences through such iconic 1970s television series as Homocide and The Box. During and since, he has regularly trod the boards with the Bard for the Melbourne Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company in such productions as Macbeth, Richard III and King Lear. Stanton was lauded for his virtuoso performance as Julius Caesar in the MTC’s now famous production and was nominated for a Helpman Award for his Prospero in The Tempest for the MTC.
Pianist and composer Tony Gould is one of Australia's most respected musicians. For the past three decades he has been involved in an extraordinary number of recording projects both as pianist and composer and has been at the forefront of music education in Australia. His career has embraced many styles of music, not least jazz and other improvisatory music in addition to traditional and contemporary classical music.
Director Jill Forster also starred in The Box – as twins! However, to modern audiences she is best-known for her long-running role as Meredith Monahan in ABC TV’s Seachange, for which she won an AFI Award. Forster’s most recent stage role was with the MTC in their production of Hannie Rayson’s Life After George. And When He Falls is her first foray into stage directing.
In producing this work, fortyfivedownstairs continues to support established artists in realising their personal passions by introducing new work not considered by large companies to a new audience.
fortyfivedownstairs presents
And When He Falls
The Plantagenet Kings of England
Performed by John Stanton
Original Live Music by Tony Gould
Directed by Jill Forster
Venue: fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Dates: March 11 - 29
Preview: Tuesday March 10 @8pm; Opening Night Wednesday March 11 @8pm
Times: Wed-Sat @7pm; Sun @5pm
Tickets: $32/$25 Conc./Preview $20
Book: fortyfivedownstairs.com or 9662 9966
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