| Scarlett O’Hara At The Crimson Parrot | Melbourne Theatre Company |
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SCARLETT O’HARA AT THE CRIMSON PARROT brings together for the first time two of Australian theatre’s favourites, performer extraordinaire Caroline O’Connor and playwright David Williamson.
MTC Artistic Director Simon Phillips directs the World Premiere of this whimsical fantasy which both celebrates and satirises the Romantic Comedy genre.
“Finding a show for Caroline O’Connor is no picnic, since her inexhaustible talents require a vehicle with the power of a Ferrari, the manoeuvrability of a trail bike, the relentlessness of a monster truck and the magnificence of Cleopatra’s barge,“ says Simon. “But I thought if anyone could give her endless talents a work-out, David Williamson could!”
Scarlett O’Hara (Caroline O’Connor) is only good at making people like her, which unfortunately doesn’t help her hold down a job. After a disastrous career in retail, she is hanging onto her present job, as a waitress at “The Scarlett Parrot”, by the skin of her teeth. Her employer Steve (Andrew McFarlane) claims she’s the world’s worst waitress, and to add to her troubles she lives with her manipulative monster of a mother (Monica Maughan).
Scarlett keeps sane by daydreaming of the world of classic movies, where legendary leading men like Humphrey Bogart, Errol Flynn, Clark Gable, Gary Cooper and Cary Grant fire her romantic imagination - but the chances of her finding a real life equivalent seem increasingly slim. Is Steve more interested in her than he lets on? Is Alan (Matt Day in his MTC debut) - the curious stranger who frequents the restaurant - more (or less) than he seems?
The winner of 20 Australian and international theatre awards, Caroline O’Connor has previously appeared with MTC in End of the Rainbow, Joanna Murray-Smith’s Bombshells and Piaf. An Olivier Award-nominee for her performances in the London productions of Bombshells and Mack and Mabel, Caroline has also appeared on Broadway in Chicago and in the films De-Lovely and Moulin Rouge.
Australia's best-known and most prolific playwright, David Williamson is the author of more than 30 plays including The Removalists, Don's Party, The Club, Emerald City, Money and Friends, Dead White Males, Up For Grabs, Soulmates and the Jack Manning trilogy Face to Face, A Conversation and Charitable Intent. Film and television credits include Gallipoli, The Year of Living Dangerously, Phar Lap, Travelling North, Brilliant Lies and On the Beach.
“Australia's most popular playwright ... A Williamson play remains an event" - The Australian
“O’Connor’s all-round talent … is breathtaking.” - The Bulletin
MELBOURNE THEATRE COMPANY presents the World Premiere of
SCARLETT O’HARA AT THE CRIMSON PARROT
by David Williamson
Starring Caroline O’Connor
With Matt Day, Bob Hornery, Monica Maughan, Andrew McFarlane, Marney McQueen, Simon Wood
Director Simon Phillips
Set & Costume Designer Shaun Gurton
Lighting Designer Matt Scott
Composer Ian McDonald
Venue: Arts Centre Playhouse
Previews: from 7 June 2008
Season: Wednesday 11 June - 12 July 2008
Times: Mon & Tue 6.30pm (9 & 10 Jun 8pm), Wed 1pm &
8pm (no mat 11 Jun), Thu & Fri 8pm, Sat 4pm & 8.30pm (7 Jun 2
& 8pm)
Tickets: $16 - $75.30
Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 723 038 or www.mtc.com.au
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