Barry Otto returns to the Sydney Theatre Company in the world premiere of Michael Cove’s new Australian play Troupers, to open the Sydney Theatre Company’s 2007 season.
 
It’s Australia in 1919 and families are mourning their sons lost at war. So Isaac (Barry Otto) and Elsie (Blazey Best), an unlikely comedy duo, decide there is more money in channelling the spirit of dead soldiers, than making people laugh.
 
Enter Theresa (Natasha Wanganeen), a young black girl who they think is guaranteed to sell tickets. But there is a slight problem. Theresa really does have an unsettling, other-worldly gift. And it’s uncontrollable.
 
Michael Cove’s new play is an affectionate, astute and timely look at those who soldier on with the show, and those who have to soldier on with life. It’s a play about commemoration and the place of war in our history. Through popular song, soft-shoe shuffle and séance audiences will travel across the outback to a new cenotaph and a dedication ceremony destined to make history.
 
Michael Cove returns to theatre after a 25 year absence. His play Jesters was one of the last productions at Nimrod Street Theatre and Kookaburra was one of the first plays at Belvoir Street – both were directed by Richard Wherrett in the mid 70’s.
 
Since then Michael Cove has written for film, radio and television. He is a LOGIE and Penguin winner for television script writing, and has won Gold and Silver AWGIE awards for radio drama.
 
Troupers will feature some of Australia’s most accomplished actors; Barry Otto (Boy Gets Girl, Proof, Volpone), Blazey Best (Summer Rain, Macbeth), Josh Quong Tart (The Miser) and Natasha Wanganeen (Holy Day, Rabbit Proof Fence), under the direction of the acclaimed Jean-Pierre Mignon (The Bourgeois Gentleman, The Miser).

Sydney Theatre Company
Troupers
By Michael Cove

Writer Michael Cove
Director Jean Pierre Mignon
Designer Christina Smith
Lighting Design Nick Schlieper
Composer/Sound Designer Paul Charlier
Musical Director Ben Fink
Assistant Director Iain Sinclair
 
With Blazey Best, Alexis Fishman, Ryan Hayward, Arky Michael, Barry Otto, Josh Quong Tart, Toni Scanlan, Natasha Wanganeen

Venue: Wharf 1, Sydney Theatre Company
Previews: 29 January to 1 February at 8pm
Season: 3 February to 11 March 2007
Times: Mondays 5, 12, 19, 26 February 6:30pm, Tuesdays – Saturdays 8pm, Sunday 11 March 5pm; Matinees Wednesdays 1pm (except 21 February) and Saturdays 2pm
Tickets: $73/$60 concession Matinee $65/$54 concession
Bookings: 02 9250 1777 / sydneytheatre.com.au/troupers