Sydney Theatre Company and Malthouse Theatre Present
The Histrionic (Der Theatermacher)
By Thomas Bernhard
Translated by Tom Wright

Utzbach. A town with 280 human inhabitants, a pig population of slightly more and a pub-cum-theatre named The Black Hart. It’s a venue that could not be more different to the glittering Gaspoltshofen where Bruscon – an actor often described (by himself) as a national treasure – once performed to an adoring audience of 830. Utzbach represents a terrible low in Bruscon’s career but, ever the consummate professional, he is determined that the show he is touring to this cultural backwater will go on.

Preparing this dump for his theatrical extravaganza is a piece of theatre in itself. As a mighty storm gathers overhead, the petty tyrant issues directions to his family-cum-cast. With the Landlord, the Fire Chief, the pigs, the troupe, the town and even the elements conspiring against him, making it to the curtain call could be the greatest challenge Bruscon has ever faced.

Thomas Bernhard is one of Europe’s most revered authors and we have long been plotting to bring one of his works to our stage. The perfect opportunity presented itself when Melbourne director Daniel Schlusser met Bille Brown and realised that this great man of the theatre was ripe for the role of Bruscon. The play is a gift to an Olympian like Bille: an opportunity to travel at full throttle through monologues that are laden with both comedy and tragedy. The Landlord, whose efforts to assist preparations for the show are passively antagonistic, will be played by a worthy adversary: Barry Otto.

1 hour 40 minutes, no interval
Wharf 1 Theatre