THEATRE FOR EVERYONE
DAVID WILLIAMSON’S
19 JANUARY – 17 MARCH 2018 DIRECTOR’S NOTE BY NADIA TASS ignore these issues like many of our politicians I have always loved David Williamson’s work, might do; he insists these characters act on the issues he concerns himself with, and the their responsibility. It is not until they are careful balance he creates between gravity forced to deal with the dilemmas they face, and humour. that they achieve perspective, growth, and enlightenment. Williamson insists that issues he presents, cannot be shelved or ignored, so he From the very first scene, we know the orchestrates situations that are strange, dominant issue in this play, and then we see uncomfortable and grittingly real. And it is what effect it has on each of Williamson’s within those situations our characters are beautifully drawn characters. It truly is a joy forced to confront the issues, even if they are to work with material that is at the same potentially detrimental to their personal lives. time both funny and poignant. This narrative is full of surprises, filled with similarities Each of the characters in SORTING OUT between what is happening on stage and the RACHEL is facing a mammoth personal Australian society at large. dilemma. And each of these dilemmas mirrors the prevailing social issues in Australian The question remains – how is our world society. One has too little money, another going to deal with these issues? Williamson too much; and the question is – how is that holds a clear mirror to our world, and tells money best used for the greater good of the us to look at who we are, and asks – are we community? going to take responsibility? What attracted me to SORTING OUT These are serious issues, serious questions, RACHEL, was the notion that it examines the but never at the expense of the primary human condition pitted against large and objective – to entertain. The continuing intense national issues. Williamson never debate is, how are we going to deal with compromises the issues, nor the way it affects issues of entitlement, inheritance and our all of the characters. For each of them, the responsibilities to our indigenous community? world appears to be collapsing as they realise Great insight into a world that desperately the truths they are facing. And they can’t just needs sorting out! RUNNING TIME APPROX. 110 MINS INCLUDING INTERVAL
DIRECTOR NADIA TASS SET AND COSTUME DESIGNER TOBHIYAH STONE FELLER LIGHTING & AV DESIGNER CHRISTOPHER PAGE SOUND DESIGNER DANIEL NIXON STAGE MANAGER RUTH HORSFALL WARDROBE COORDINATOR ALANA CANCERI CAST CHENOA DEEMAL, GLENN HAZELDINE, JOHN HOWARD JENNA OWEN, NATALIE SALEEBA
EnsembleEd Performance of SORTING Thank you for your $2 donation, it helps OUT RACHEL kindly supported by the cover the production of our programs Clitheroe Foundation Rehearsal Photos Heidrun Löhr DAVID WILLIAMSON NADIA TASS DIRECTOR PLAYWRIGHT Nadia Tass made her David Williamson is Ensemble directorial Australia’s best known debut with e-baby in and most widely 2016. That year Tass performed playwright. directed DISGRACED Some of his more than fifty-three produced for Melbourne Theatre Company, plays include THE REMOVALISTS, DON’S EXTINCTION for Red Stitch/GPAC, PARTY, THE CLUB, TRAVELLING NORTH, THE BOOK CLUB for AKA in Melbourne and THE PERFECTIONIST, SONS OF CAIN, London, and UNCLE VANYA for Red Stitch. EMERALD CITY, MONEY AND FRIENDS, 2017 saw her re-stage her acclaimed 2014 BRILLIANT LIES, DEAD WHITE MALES, production of Annie Baker’s THE FLICK for AFTER THE BALL, THE JACK MANNING Queensland Theatre. Amongst other recent TRILOGY, THE GREAT MAN, UP FOR GRABS, work, Tass directed OUT OF THE WATER, SOULMATES, SCARLETT O’HARA AT THE THE ALIENS, and THE GRONHOLM CRIMSON PARROTT, NOTHING PERSONAL, METHOD for Red Stitch, THE OTHER WHEN DAD MARRIED FURY, MANAGING PLACE for MTC, PROMISES, PROMISES for CARMEN, CRUISE CONTROL, RUPERT, The Production Company, and THREE DREAM HOME, JACK OF HEARTS and WOMEN IN AN ICE CREAM CONE in ODD MAN OUT. His plays have been London. Her 2002 production of THE LION, translated into many languages and THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE toured performed internationally, including major Australia and garnered her a Helpmann productions in London, Los Angeles, New Award nomination for Best Director of a York and Washington (THE CLUB in 1979 Musical. Tass is well known for directing and RUPERT in 2014 at the Kennedy films including the Australian Centre as well as a season at the Theatre classics MALCOLM and THE BIG STEAL, Royal, Sydney). UP FOR GRABS went as well as RIKKY AND PETE, MR RELIABLE, on to a West End production starring AMY, MATCHING JACK and FATAL Madonna in the lead role. David’s screen HONEYMOON. Nadia also directs films adaptations of his own plays include THE and high-end television movies in the REMOVALISTS, DON’S PARTY, THE CLUB, US for Universal Studios, Disney, Warner TRAVELLING NORTH, EMERALD CITY, Bros and CBS. Recently she was honoured along with his original screenplays for by the American Cinematheque in Los feature films including LIBIDO, PETERSEN, Angeles with a retrospective of her work. GALLIPOLI, PHAR LAP, THE YEAR OF Retrospectives have also screened in LIVING DANGEROUSLY, and BALIBO (as Moscow, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and co-writer) and for television he adapted ON New Delhi. Tass is a recipient of the Film THE BEACH. Some of David’s many awards Victoria Screen Leader Award for include 12 Australian Writers’ Guild Awards, Outstanding Leadership, Achievement and 5 Australian Film Institutes’ Awards for Best Service to the Screen Industry, and the Screenplay and, in 1996, and the United AFI Byron Kennedy Award for the Pursuit Nations Association of Australia Media of Excellence. Peace Award. David has been named one of Australia’s Living National Treasures. CHENOA DEEMAL TESS Chenoa holds both a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) from Queensland University of Technology and an Advanced Diploma of the Performing Arts from the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA). She has been working professionally since 2009. Most recently Chenoa appeared in Queensland Theatre’s AN OCTOROON, and prior to this the critically-acclaimed one woman show THE SEVEN STAGES OF GRIEVING, a co-production between Queensland Theatre and Grin & Tonic Theatre which toured NSW and Victoria as well as visiting London for the 2017 Border Crossings’ Origins Festival. Other theatre credits include: RAINBOW’S END for Riverside Theatres – national tour, MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN, ST MARY’S IN EXILE (QLD Theatre), THE VOICE IN THE WALLS (Imaginary Theatre), MR TAKAHASHI & OTHER FALLING SECRETS (Corrugated Iron/Jute Theatre Co) and A MAN WITH FIVE CHILDREN (Darlinghurst Theatre). On television, Chenoa has appeared in the children’s physical game show, SPLATALOT! Earlier this year Chenoa was the narrator for the Stradbroke Island Chamber Music Festival. GLENN HAZELDINE KIDNEY, TWELFTH NIGHT, IVANOV (Belvoir); CRAIG ALL MY SONS, THE CRUCIBLE, DEAD WHITE MALES, THE LIFE OF GALILEO, MONGRELS, Since graduating from THE RECRUIT (Sydney Theatre Company); NIDA in 1994, Glenn SHRINE, RISING WATER (Black Swan State has worked in over 50 Theatre Company); THE ROVER (State professional productions Theatre Company of South Australia). His film for the STC, Ensemble Theatre, Griffin, credits include MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, LAST Malthouse, MTC, Belvoir, Darlinghurst CAB TO DARWIN, THE MAN WHO SUED Theatre, The Old Fitz, Seymour Centre, Bell GOD, A MAN’S GOTTA DO and JINDABYNE. Shakespeare, Marian St and La Boite. Recent For TV, John has appeared in WARRIORS, appearances at the Ensemble include THE SOUL MATES, JANET KING, SEACHANGE, JACK MANNING TRILOGY, MANAGING ALL SAINTS, ALWAYS GREENER, PACKED CARMEN, RAPTURE BLISTER BURN, TO THE RAFTERS and CHANGI. John’s TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, HAPPINESS and awards include a 2015 Sydney Theatre Award RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA. Other for Best Supporting Actor in a Mainstage credits include for the STC, THE FATHER Production for IVANOV. He won his first Silver (also for MTC), AWAY (also for Malthouse), Logie for Most Outstanding Actor for his role DISGRACED, LOVE AND INFORMATION (also in SEACHANGE in 2001. He will be seen in for Malthouse), AFTER DINNER, PERPLEX and cinemas around the globe as Bill Barlow in TOT MOM; for Griffin, A HOAX, PORN CAKE; THE MERGER in 2018. for Merrigong Theatre Company, LETTERS TO LINDY. Recent Film and Television gigs include JENNA OWEN RACHEL HOUSE OF BOND, THE MOODYS, ANZAC GIRLS, REDFERN NOW 2, THE ELEGANT As Rachel in SORTING GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO KNIFE FIGHTING, OUT RACHEL, Jenna ALL SAINTS, BLACKJACK, LAST TRAIN TO Owen makes her stage FREO and DRIPPING IN CHOCOLATE. Glenn debut. First introduced is a proud member of Actors Equity, where as Naomi in Channel he serves as Vice President of the NSW Ten’s PUBERTY BLUES, Jenna has gone on branch, and is Deputy Chairman of the Actors to write and perform for ABC2’s Aaron Chen Benevolent Fund of NSW. Tonight, Fox8 and Princess Pictures THE SLOT, and ABC’s FRESH BLOOD CLASS OF 2017. JOHN HOWARD BRUCE Jenna will next be seen on screens as Mia in Jungle/ABC’s comedy series SQUINTERS. As a John graduated from founding member of the Sydney-based sketch NIDA in 1978 and his troupe ‘Freudian Nip’, Jenna has performed career has seen him work sell out sketch shows at Sydney Comedy on the stage, in cinema Festival, and Sydney Fringe Festival and has and television as an actor, been a fixture at several comedy rooms director, writer and composer. For Ensemble around Sydney. She is also a performer at Theatre he appeared in Nick Enright’s The Chaser’s Giant Dwarf Theatre, making her MONGRELS, which won him a Sydney Critics’ one of the youngest improvisers to perform Circle Award for Best Stage Actor in 1991. His to their sell-out crowds. other theatre work includes MARK COLVIN’S
NATALIE SALEEBA JULIE Natalie is best known for her roles as Abi on HOUSE HUSBANDS, Rosie Cammeniti on NEIGHBOURS, and as Jessica Singleton in the medical drama ALL SAINTS; which saw her nominated for a TV week Logie for Most Popular New Talent. Natalie’s further screen credits include roles in the feature film TRUTH, opposite Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford, UNDER THE LIGHTHOUSE DANCING; television series: DEAD LUCKY opposite Rachel Griffiths, UTOPIA, TRICKY BUSINESS, WINNERS AND LOSERS, STINGERS, THE SECRET LIFE OF US, ALWAYS GREENER, HEAD START, CORRIDORS OF POWER, SWEAT and LOVEBYTES. On stage, Natalie made her debut with the prestigious Bell Shakespeare Company and went on to star in three productions for the company; MAD ABOUT YOU, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING and ROUGH JUSTICE. Natalie’s other theatre credits include THE RETURN AT THE NEW THEATRE, IS THAT YOU NANCY AT TWISTY CLUB and RIDING THE TIGER for the Art Rage festival.
David Williamson would like to thank John Bell, Mark Kilmurry, Miranda Tapsell, Nadia Tass, Kristin Williamson and the cast of SORTING OUT RACHEL. TOBHIYAH STONE EXCHANGE, BETWEEN THE STREETLIGHT FELLER AND THE MOON (KXT); LA CALISTO SET & COSTUME (Sydney Conservatorium of Music); A LIFE DESIGNER IN THE THEATRE, THE MAN WITH FIVE CHILDREN and RIDE/FOURPLAY (Darlinghurst Tobhiyah is a design Theatre); BU21, 4:12 (Outhouse Theatre); GIRLS graduate from NIDA LIKE THAT, JOURNEY’S END (ATYP); LIGHTEN and previously attended the College of Fine UP, THE WITCHES, FIVE PROPERTIES OF Arts UNSW where she studied sculpture, CHAINMALE (Griffin Theatre); BLACK installation and art history. Set & Costume JESUS, HIS MOTHER’S VOICE, GREAT Design credits include: e-baby, GOOD EXPECTATIONS (Bakehouse Theatre); THE PEOPLE, MY ZINC BED, BLOOD BANK, BLUE/ DARK ROOM, WINDMILL BABY, AS YOU LIKE ORANGE, CLYBOURNE PARK (Ensemble); IT (Belvoir). Site-specific works includes: THIS REPLAY, LIGHTEN UP (Griffin); PARRAMATTA IS A VOICE, ANCIENT LIVES (Powerhouse GIRLS (Riverside Productions); ORPHEE Museum), WARATAH (Vivid); EL ANATSUI AUX ENFERS, DAISY BATES AT OOLDEA (Carriageworks); ACTION STATIONS (Sydney Conservatorium of Music); VARIANT (National Maritime Museum); BECALMED (Performing Lines); HUMAN RESOURCES HEART, MET YOU IN A CITY THAT ISN’T (Siren Theatre Co.); MY NAME IS SUD ON A MAP (Underbelly Arts Festival) (Blacktown Arts Centre); ANNA ROBI AND and MANGROVES (Kate Richards & UNSW). THE HOUSE OF DOGS (Tamarama Rock Surfers); PLAYHOUSE CREATURES, BLOOD DANIEL NIXON WEDDING (AADA); CAMARILLA (Merrigong); SOUND DESIGNER A VIEW OF CONCRETE (B Sharp). Her multi- purpose set design for Ensemble’s repertory Daniel is a composer, productions MY ZINC BED and BLOOD BANK sound designer and multi- won the Installation category of the Australian instrumentalist. He has Interior Design Awards 2016. Tobhiyah is performed with the MSO, a co-founder of Architecture and Design Orchestra Victoria, John Farnham Yothu Yindi, studio Stukel Stone, and a proud member of Sebine Meyer, Mikko Frank and many others. Australian Production Design Guild. He has written and recorded multiple albums and worked extensively as a session player CHRISTOPHER PAGE and programmer. He has scored and designed LIGHTING DESIGNER numerous films, games, ads and plays including work with Flashgun Films, Cascade Chris is a creator of worlds Films, Red Stitch Actors Theatre, American and has crafted unique Girl, Universal Television, Disney Pictures, MTC, environments for a diverse QT, Dirty Pretty Theatre, Little Ones Theatre, range of shows. For Madman Entertainment, NBCU, ABC, Netflix, Ensemble Theatre Chris’ credits include Farmhand films, and many others. LIP SERVICE, ODD MAN OUT, BETRAYAL, A HISTORY OF FALLING THINGS, THE GOOD DOCTOR, BLUE/ORANGE and video design on e-baby. Other recent credits include: THE NETHER, PLATONOV (Catnip Productions); SHE RODE HORSES LIKE THE STOCK RUTH HORSFALL ALANA CANCERI STAGE MANAGER WARDROBE COORDINATOR Ruth is a freelance Stage and Production Alana is a Sydney-based Manager, and is delighted costume designer, maker to be back at Ensemble and supervisor. She trained Theatre as Stage Manager for SORTING OUT at Ultimo TAFE where she received Diplomas RACHEL. Her previous credits with Ensemble in Costume for Performance, Fashion Design Theatre are THE KITCHEN SINK, THE BIG & Technology and Printing & Graphic Arts. DRY and BLOOD BANK. Other theatre credits Alana has predominantly spent the past few include: NOSFERATUTU (Critical Stages/Griffin years working as a costume supervisor for Independent and Glen St), THOMAS MURRAY Ensemble Theatre where she has worked on and THE UPSIDE DOWN RIVER (Critical shows including TAKING STEPS, NEVILLE’S Stages/Griffin Independent and NORPA), ISLAND, THE PLANT, THE RASPUTIN AFFAIR, MACBETH, TWELFTH NIGHT, HAMLET, ALL’S TWO, e-baby, THE BIG DRY, TRIBES, GOOD WELL THAT ENDS WELL, COMEDY OF PEOPLE, JACK OF HEARTS, BLOOD BANK, MY ERRORS, THE TEMPEST and TAMING OF THE ZINC BED, THE BOOK CLUB, MOTHERS AND SHREW (Sport for Jove), BLOOD.SEX.TEARS SONS and THE ANZAC PROJECT. Other credits (The Grand Caravan), PLATONOV (Mophead/ include ASSASSINS (Hayes Theatre Company, Catnip/ATYP), ON THE SHORE OF THE WIDE assistant costume supervisor), MURIEL’S WORLD (Pantsguys/Griffin), PUNK ROCK WEDDING THE MUSICAL (Sydney Theatre (Pantsguys/ATYP), THROUGH THESE LINES Company, assistant costume supervisor), (NSW regional tour), SCENES FROM AN CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL (City of Sydney, EXECUTION and BLUE ANGEL HOTEL (Old assistant costume supervisor/maker) THAT EYE, Fitz), BITE ME (ATYP), and JERUSALEM, THE THE SKY (New Theatre, costume designer), WEIR and WAITING FOR GODOT amongst 8TH WONDER-SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE THE many others at New Theatre. Ruth is a proud OPERA (Opera Australia, dresser) and MY FAIR member of MEAA. LADY (Opera Australia, maker). Alana has also worked as a stylist for the Ensemble Theatre 2016, 2017 & 2018 Season Brochures.
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PLATINUM Roger Hewitt The Late Andrew K Gibson Anonymous x 1 Michael Jones Graham Gunn Ellen Borda Hope Kennedy Marian Haire Charlene and Graham Bradley AM Adrienne & David Kitching Jan Harland David Z Burger Foundation Helen & Michael Markiewicz John Heathers Graf Family Foundation Debbie Marriott Ray Hollings Ross & Jinnie Gavin Lisa McIntyre and Jack Goodman Bev Holmes Jeanette & Graham McConnochie Rob McQuillan Susie Hope Peter E J Murray Dr David Millons Steve and Diane Howard Elizabeth Powell Nicola Milne Sasha Huxley Guy Reynolds AO & Jenny Reynolds Melinda Muth & Ian Hill Carolyn Isaacs George and Diana Shirling ‘Supporting Ronwyn and Peter North Doug & Jacquie Jamieson the next generation in the theatre’ Carole A. R. O’Brien Colleen Kelly In Memory of Peter Bates, Anonymous Greg & Marisa Petersen Anonymous In memory of Jane Sherrard, In memory of Rob and Marie Peterson Clara Kunke Owen Sherrard and their many years of enjoyment Sarah Lawrence The Wenkart Foundation Mrs Caroline Phillips John Lewis Jim & Maggie Pritchitt Theresa Lindfield GOLD 1000 – 4999 Alex Reisner Robin Low Michael Adena and Joanne Daly Alison Scott Diana Mackay Jansen Anonymous X 2 For all your great actors Frank Martin Dr Ulysses Chioatto John Lawrence Simpson Helen Matthews Jan & Frank Conroy Diana and John Smythe Elisabeth McDonald Bish & Jayati Dutta Lesley Taylor Ian Meakin The Hilmer Family Endowment Liz Thomas Brian Mitchell Don & Deidre Faithfull Gary and Janet Tilsley Jennifer Mitchell Mr & Mrs Peter and Sue Funnell Graeme Walters John Montgomery Wendy and Andrew Hamlin Jacki Weaver Georgina Moodie Jill Hawker Mrs Janice Wilkinson Tanya & Bruce Morton R Hutchinson David and Kristin Williamson Gary and Wendy Newman Warwick & Robin Lewarne Laura Wright Judith Margaret Newton Mr John Nethercote Mrs Marion O’Farrell Barbara Osborne BRONZE 250 – 499 Barbara O’Keefe Rod and Merryn Pearse Kylie Alvarez Dianne Ottley Victoria Pollard Peter Anderson & Serge Grebert Frances Page Ian Rodwell Peter Antaw Nina Paine Andy & Jenny Small Kenneth John Armstrong Forbes and Helen Pratt Augusta Supple Alice Beauchamp Colin & Margaret Prebble John and Catherine Taylor J Birch Damian and Natalie Reichel C Thomson Anne Black Moya Reynolds The Shirley Ward Foundation William Bourne Charo Robins Rosalie Windust Margaret Bowen-Jones Monica and Gary Robinson Phil Breaden Kerry and Allen Robinson SILVER 500 – 999 Carolyn Burt Ian Saunders Anonymous X 3 Mr Alexander Carmichael Drs Steve and Sharon Schach Melanie and Michael America Sharon & Alan Coaldrake Emine Sermet John and Charlotte Banks Mr Brian Coleman Evelyn Shaw Margaret Barnes Helen Creasey Terry Sheahan Merrill Barnett Bruce Cutler Peter Sheldon Stephanie Berry Jennifer Darin Millmaine Entertainment Aust. Pty Ltd Elizabeth Butcher Denise Denovan West Lindfield pharmacy Nicholas and Joy Cowdery John and Anne Drinan Holly Stein G+B Davies Peter and Winsome Duffy Bob Stoddard Lisa Davis Geoffrey Alan Dunsford Mr Gregory Stone P Grace & Michael Dureau Sue Edwards Richard Thompson Peter Eichhorn Pamela Edwards Jill Thorpe Michele and Onofrio Ferrara 76 Pictures Mrs Elizabeth Lynn Trainor John Flint Michele and Onofrio Ferrara Dr & Mrs John Turtle Chris Fraser Tony and Kate File Patricia Van Gelder Lee French Josephine Fisher Graham Walker Michael & Rochelle Goot John Fitzpatrick Susan Warburton Anna K Green Robert Flegg Sean Wareing Anita Green Philip and Norma Freeman Reginald K Whitely Michael Green Justin Gaedener Helen E Wright Donald and Margaret Harris Stephen & Vicki Gellert Vera Yee Tom & Pat Hazell Richard and Nina Germain Bill Young OUR PARTNERS
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