| The Great | Sydney Theatre Company |
|
|
|
|
The Great, Tony McNamara’s seventh new play for Sydney Theatre Company, is a freewheeling re-imagining of the rise and reign of Catherine the Great of Russia, directed by Peter Evans. The production, at STC’s Wharf 1 with previews from 31 May 2008, features two actors as Catherine; Robin McLeavy in Act 1 and Elizabeth Alexander in the second half, set 30 years later.
Exploring the vicissitudes of love and power in the playwright’s distinctive comic style, the action spans the course of Catherine’s adult life, from sweet innocent abroad, through her marriage to a madman from whom she wrests control, to her long reign as Russia’s notorious Empress.
Robin McLeavy, seen first as Catherine and later as her daughter Natalie, is recognised as one of Australia’s leading emerging actors and was last seen at STC in Self Esteem as part of the 2007 Wharf 2LOUD program. Other theatre credits include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf at Belvoir St Theatre and Holding The Man. Film and television credits include 48 Shades and Last Man Standing. Elizabeth Alexander’s previous work at STC includes Old Times, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Heretic and Shorts and she is also known for television performances including a recurring role in All Saints.
The cast also features some of Australia’s foremost young actors, including; Toby Schmitz, fresh from his success in Ruben Guthrie at Belvoir St Theatre and later in the year to be seen in the Australian premiere of Rabbit at STC; Ben Geurens, whose theatre credits include the lead in Entertaining Mr Sloane and Dakin in The History Boys for Melbourne Theatre Company; and Mandy McElhinney, familiar to STC audiences for last year’s Don’s Party.
Tony McNamara has written seven plays, most recently the hit play The Give and Take which had extended runs at STC and MTC. Other plays include The Cafe Latte Kid, The John Wayne Principle, The Recruit, The Virgin Mim and The Unlikely Prospect of Happiness. Tony has also written for television’s The Secret Life of Us and Love my Way winning an AWGIE award in 2007 for Best TV Episode for the latter. He has recently written for the ITV comedy Moving Wallpaper and is currently developing a series with the BBC. He wrote and directed the feature film The Rage in Placid Lake which recieved the Audience Award at the Melbourne International Film Festival, an AFI and AWGIE Award for Best Screenplay and the AWGIE Major Award.
For STC, Peter Evans previously collaborated with McNamara on The Give And Take as well as directing Don’s Party and Fat Pig, and has worked extensively in Australia and New Zealand. He is Associate Director at MTC where he will soon direct Blackbird by David Harrower.
The Great is one of seven new Australian mainstage works produced this year by STC.
Sydney Theatre Company presents
THE GREAT
A new play by Tony McNamara
Cast Elizabeth Alexander, Nicholas Bell, Alan Dukes, Ben Geurens, Robin McLeavy, Mandy McElhinney, Matthew Moore, Toby Schmitz
Director Peter Evans
Set Designer Fiona Crombie
Costume Designer Tess Schofield
Lighting Designer Damien Cooper
Composer Alan John
Sound Design Steve Francis
Venue: Wharf 1, Sydney Theatre Company | pier 4, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay
Previews: Saturday 31 May, Monday 2 June – Wednesday 4 June at 8pm
Opens: 5 June 2008 at 8pm
Season: From Friday 6 June – Sunday 13 July
Twilights: Mondays 6.30pm until 23 June / Tuesdays 6.30pm from 1 July / Sundays 5pm from 6 July
Evenings: Tuesdays 8pm until 24 June; Wednesdays – Saturdays 8pm
Matinees: Wednesdays 1pm from 11 June; Saturdays 2pm
Night With Actors: Monday 23 June 6.30pm Post-show discussion with the cast and creative team
Tickets: $77 / $62 Concession Matinee $68 / $56 Concession
Bookings: STC Box Office (02) 9250 1777 | Ticketek 132 849 | sydneytheatre.com.au/great
|
|
Contact: |
Back
|
|
|
Thursday, 08 January 2009
|
