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Home , All Saints (season 7), Amanda Muggleton, Ben Mingay, Eddie Perfect, Green Room Awards, Tell Me on a Sunday

vivid white By Eddie Perfect Welcome

Vivid White is a production that brings with it palpable excitement. For us at MTC, it’s a work that pushes us creatively and technically, and for audiences it promises an experience unlike anything you’ve seen on our stages this year.

In 2013 we presented Eddie Perfect’s first play, The Beast, which blew away with its bold comedy and on-the-pulse commentary of middle class aspirations. This new MTC commission, supported by the Clemenger Trust and directed by our Associate Director Dean Bryant, pushes conventions a little further with the welcome addition of satirical songs and an entirely unique take on the real estate market in .

The chorus you’ll see throughout the show is comprised of second year Music Theatre students from the Victorian College of the Arts, who join the production thanks to a new partnership established especially for this show. We’re passionate about supporting students in their pursuit of careers in creative industries and are delighted to be providing them with this opportunity. Not only do the students gain experience in a professional setting but, better still, their involvement is part of their coursework and end-of-year assessment.

This show is full to the brim with Eddie’s signature comedy and graced with a cast and creative team so talented they’re in a league of their own. I can’t think of a better way to see out Season 2017.

Thank you for joining us for another wonderful year at MTC and tirelessly supporting our work and our artists. It’s always a pleasure to have your company on our theatrical adventures and we can’t wait to do it all again in 2018.

See you on the other side.

Brett Sheehy ao Artistic Director Melbourne Theatre Company acknowledges the Yalukit Willam Peoples of the Boon Wurrung, the Traditional Owners of the land on which Southbank Theatre and MTC HQ stand, and we pay our respects to Melbourne’s First Peoples, to their ancestors past and present, and to our shared future.

MTC is a department MTC is assisted by the Commonwealth Government through the Australia Council, MTC is a member of Live of the University its arts funding and advisory body, and by the State Government of Victoria through Performance Australia and the of Melbourne. Creative Victoria. Australian Major Performing Arts Group. MELBOURNE THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS vivid white By Eddie Perfect 18 NOVEMBER – 23 DECEMBER 2017 Southbank Theatre, The Sumner

— Cast — — Creative Team — Holly/Consultant/Rachel Gillian Cosgriff Director Dean Bryant Güüs/Brenda Virginia Gay Set Designer Owen Phillips Ben Brent Hill Costume Designer Tim Chappel Liz Verity Hunt-Ballard Lighting Designer Ross Graham Martin/Harvey Keegan Joyce Sound Designer Russell Goldsmith Evan Ben Mingay Musical Director/Orchestrator James Simpson Cynthia Christina O’Neill Assistant Director Sarah Kriegler Choreographer Andrew Hallsworth — Ensemble — Associate Choreographer Natalie Gilhome Movement Director Lyndall Grant Sian Crowe, Manali Datar, Majella Davis, Jake Gardner, Associate Movement Director Kyle Davey Lauren Goetz, Juan Gomez, Chloe Honig, Hamish Creature Designer A Blanck Canvas Johnston, Sarah Krndija, Ayesha Madon, James Vocal Consultant Debbie Phyland Majoos, Nicholas Mayer, Jessica Monk, Olivia Morison, Stage Manager Whitney McNamara Callum O’Malley, Tomas Parrish, Matthew Prime, Deputy Stage Manager Julia Smith Joseph Spanti and Lisa Thomas. Assistant Stage Manager Jess Maguire The Ensemble has been made possible with support VCA Stage Management Secondment Julia Orlando from VCA Music Theatre at the University VCA Design Secondment Nathan Burmeister of Melbourne and the Media, Entertainment Sound Design Attachment Kellie-Anne Kimber & Arts Alliance. VCA Sound Secondment Caiden de Win Rehearsal Photographer Deryk McAlpin Production Photographer Jeff Busby

— About the play — Liz and Ben have been mates with Cynthia and Evan for years, and would never let anything get in the way of their friendship. Except, when both couples set their sights on buying the same house – that’s different. Forget friendship, forget respect, forget human decency: this is the Australian property market. Not even the imminent collapse of civilisation itself could stop the zombie-like single-mindedness of buying the perfect house. For information regarding running time please see a member of the Front of House team.

Commissioned with the support of the Joan & Peter Clemenger Trust Production Partner Media Partners

Cover photo: Justin Ridler Walking the line

Eddie Perfect on the challenges of writing and performing satirical comedy.

Satire is best served we expect satire to really work anymore? without a wink or Did it ever? Boy, I bet this is filling you a nudge. To let an with confidence. audience in on the joke is unforgivable; to give In 2004 I walked into Max Gillies’ dressing an audience an ‘out’, room at the Brisbane Powerhouse and cowardly. The only crime found his table covered with hand-written worse than making safe letters [from the audience]. We’d just is the act of an author laboriously penning started a run of The Big Con, a night of an explanation of his or her intentions. I will Max’s satirical characters set in a right-wing endeavour to avoid making that mistake think tank. I wrote and performed satirical here by instead touching on some of my songs and acted as an MC, covering Max’s experiences working within the form of complicated costume, wig and make-up satirical comedy. changes. Temptation got the better of me and I read some of the letters. Each of them You may regard these words as a kind (in one way or another) pined for Max to of whinge, or needy balm to soothe the return to previous form – that this show had accumulated cuts and bruises of failure. crossed that invisible line from ‘clever and I can’t really apologise for that, for while incisive’ to ‘offensive and lewd’. This was my I’m grateful to have had the rare privilege first show performing to a broader, more of being able to sustain a living through my theatrically literate audience than the ones art, it is dishonest to discuss satirical form who filled the comedy, cabaret and fringe without discussing failure. For what is satire venues I was used to. I was dejected. but the art of making the middle class (of which I am a card-carrying member) Max let me in on a secret; people always feel bad about themselves in a manner preferred the previous show. Satire, he told entertaining enough to avoid being lynched me, is an art form that becomes safer, when the curtain comes down? What is more palatable, with the benefit of time. satire but the promise of a better way to Time had a way of sand-papering off sharp exist? A more compassionate way to act? edges and editing out discomfort. According Satire is a form of exposure therapy; it to Max, every new show was met with confronts us with the worst of ourselves correspondence that praised shows in order to inspire change. But can satire previous, penned by an audience reeling change us? If we are unable or unwilling from the discomfort of seeing the worst of to change, has satire failed? Since the world themselves and their public figures amplified we inhabit is objectively unhinged, can to a ridiculous (and malicious) comic extreme. Verity Hunt-Ballard and Brent Hill

Christina O’Neill and Joseph Spanti

Keegan Joyce and Virginia Gay Ben Mingay Keegan Joyce, Gillian Cosgriff, Christina O’Neill, Ayesha Madon and Chloe Honig Dean Bryant and Lisa Thomas

At the time I found it reassuring; maybe ideologically aligned, or a kind of theatrical we’re getting it right? Fifteen years later, kryptonite to be reviled at best and at I still don’t know what ‘right’ is. worst, ignored. Where’s the line? And how do you walk it? Since my apprenticeship with Max Gillies, the bulk of my career has involved writing, Here’s something to cut through the performing, discussing and defending satire cynicism like the sorbet course of a pricey in one form or another. From first-hand degustation; at the heart of satire is a pure, experience I can tell you I find it to be an art pathetic, embarrassing and delusional form that is certifiably masochistic in both truth. It’s a truth we teach our kids and its creation and consumption. I’ve been forget about in adulthood. The belief that heckled offstage at trade union rallies, we can change the world, even just a bit. sacked mid-song at a fundraiser for Ronald I’m an optimist. I don’t think I’d bother with McDonald House, experienced walk-outs satire otherwise. and protests, received death threats, and paid more money than I care to admit for Unlike any other theatrical form, audiences advice from defamation lawyers. It should are left at the conclusion of a satirical work be said I’ve also had a great deal of fun. thinking ‘Yes, but what is it all for? How are we supposed to live?’ That’s a terrific Writing and performing satire is question. When you find the answer, be a unpredictable, uncomfortable and often dear and let the rest of us know, will you? n confusing. Is the audience laughing? Stop pulling your punches. Stop preaching to the choir. Is the audience booing? Walking out? You’ve missed the mark. You’re merely aiming to shock. You’re no good anyway. Hear more from playwright Eddie Satire often feels like it’s either a cosy Perfect in our MTC Talks podcast blanket for warmly affirming the series. mtc.com.au/MTCTalks Brent Hill and Ben Mingay

Gillian Cosgriff

Sarah Kriegler and Keegan Joyce Brent Hill and Verity Hunt-Ballard Soothing balms and Molotov cocktails

Comedy writer Michelle Law reflects on Australia’s tradition of tackling complex issues through satire.

Brent Hill, Christina O’Neill, Keegan Joyce and Virginia Gay

It’s a form of comedy Growing up, I knew that walking outside that’s entertained and at night was dangerous, so I’d stay indoors energised audiences for and watch re-runs of The Simpsons where millennia. Aristophanes Lisa challenged sexism with passion and skewered Socrates intellect. I knew that there was no way to in his play The Clouds, reason with racists who screamed ‘rice’ by making Socrates at my family, or our neighbours who eyed a caricature of himself. us with contempt as they staked One Nation In Commedia dell’arte, stock characters placards on their lawn, so my siblings like Pantalone and Il Dottore embody the and I played the Pauline Pantsdown single stinginess and folly of the upper class. I Don’t Like It on our CD player until the disc On Saturday Night Live, Amy Poehler and wore out. Satire was my soothing balm Tina Fey helped affect the outcome of a US and my Molotov cocktail. presidential election through their depictions of Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin. Satire As a child, I had a deep fear of vampires/ employs exaggeration, irony and mockery time travel/tidal waves/the film The Truman (among other things) to expose the injustices Show/the film /alien abduction/ and failings of people, collectives and power gremlins … how much time do I have? systems. It’s arguably the cleverest form of To manage my anxiety, my psychologist comedy because it comes with a political suggested I try laughing at my fears in order punch so deftly delivered that you’re knocked to rob them of their power. (Maybe the out before you even know that you’re fighting. vampire never got to suck my blood because, maybe, it tripped on some cloves Comedy in contemporary Australia of garlic and broke its leg en route to my is morphing with our level of social house.) Satire can strip away pain, fear and consciousness. The black face on Hey Hey power; it shows us that narratives can be It’s Saturday and more recently Jonah from rewritten if we are willing to do the work. Tonga no longer flies; we’d much rather watch shows like Black Comedy, which stars Australia has a long and loved tradition actual black people telling their stories. We of satire. Frontline satirised the trashy call out material that tears down LGBTQIA+ journalism undertaken by current affairs persons and fill theatres with audiences for programs. Russell Coight’s All Aussie Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette. We’re exhausted Adventures poked fun at an overconfident by misogynistic gags and choose to tune in and mansplaining outback expert. Kath to Get Krack!n instead. These are changing & Kim gifted us with absurd portraits of times; young audiences are angry and woke, suburban life and the new middle class, and and comedy in Australia will continue to Clarke and Dawe was beloved for its biting reflect that. We love Australia because it’s takedown of Australian politics. As a nation home, but there are things about ‘home’ – we relish any opportunity to take the piss unresolved fights, dark and unacknowledged out of ourselves through these portrayals, histories – that make you want to cringe, and the powerless among us hunger for scream, and wish to God that things were these portrayals because we recognise their different. That things were better. It’s potential to change the fabric of our society. laughter that’s going to get us there. n

Jake Gardner, Jessie Monk, Callum O’Malley, Christina O’Neill, Verity Hunt-Ballard, Brent Hill, Virginia Gay, Manali Datar, Sian Crowe and Hamish Johnston Cast & Creative Team

GILLIAN COSGRIFF VIRGINIA GAY BRENT HILL Holly/Consultant/Rachel Güüs/Brenda Ben

Gillian Cosgriff graduated from Virginia Gay graduated from Brent Hill previously appeared the Western Australian Academy WAAPA in 2005. Her theatre in The Speechmaker for Melbourne of Performing Arts in 2010 with credits include Calamity Jane Theatre Company. His other theatre a Bachelor of Music Theatre. (One Eyed Man Production); credits include Chimerica ( Theatre credits include: Company Minnie & Liraz, The Beast, Theatre Company); Mr Burns (Watch This); Loving Repeating On The Production Of Monsters (Belvoir); Twelfth Night (Bell (Vic Theatre Company); Soi (Melbourne Theatre Company); Shakespeare); Julius Caesar (Cry Cowboy (Brisbane Powerhouse); Gaybies (Midsumma Festival); Havoc); The Distance From Here and (The High Society (Hayes Theatre Co); (Griffin Theatre); Little Shop of Production Company). Television , Jerry’s Girls (The Horrors (Luckiest Productions & credits include Offspring, House Production Company); Wonderful Tinderbox Productions); Korea Husbands, Fat Tony & Co. and Town (Sydney Philharmonic); (Once UK); Once (GFO Attractions Ricketts Lane. She was a backing and The Wharf Revue (Sydney Pty Ltd); Jerry’s Girls, Pirates of vocalist for Kate Miller-Heidke’s Theatre Company). She is a Penzance, The Producers (The 2012 album Nightflight and is regular guest on ABC’s The Book Production Company); Dreamsong currently writing a new work for Club, and has toured her solo (Theatreworks); A Number (Perth the Victorian Opera with Casey cabaret shows Songs to Self Theatre Company); A Funny Thing Bennetto (Keating! The Musical) Destruct To, Cautionary Tales Happened on the Way to and composer Julian Langdon. for Children, and Dirty Pretty the Forum (Gordon Frost She has toured extensively with Songs all over the world, Organisation); Rock of Ages (Rock her solo shows as a comedian most notably playing the Sydney of Ages Australia); Risky Lunar Love and cabaret performer, most Opera House, and headlining (504 Productions); Summerfolk notably at the Adelaide Cabaret the Famous Spiegeltent at (Bob Presents). Television credits Festival, Melbourne International the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. include Donnatelegrams, Laid and Comedy Festival, Edinburgh Her television credits include It’s a Date for ABC. Composing Fringe Festival and Leicester Channel Seven’s credits include Risky Lunar Love Square Theatre in London. Gillian and Winners & Losers. (504 Productions), and The has released three CDs of original Happy Ending. Brent’s awards songs from her cabaret shows include the 2016 Sydney Theatre Waitressing…and Other Things Award, Judith Johnson Award for I Do Well; This Is Why We Can’t Best Performance by a Male Have Nice Things and Whelmed. Actor in a Musical for Little Shop of Her work has received awards Horrors, 2011 Green Room Award including Best Cabaret for Male Artist in a Leading Role (Melbourne Fringe), The West for Rock of Ages, 2009 National Australian Arts Editor Award Theatresports Champion, 2010 (Fringeworld Perth), and a Green Cranston Cup Theatresports Room Award for Original Songs. Champion and 2005 Actors Equity Guild Award for Best Newcomer. Brent’s training includes Hayman Theatre (Curtin), WAAPA (Acting) and Ecole Philippe Gaulier, Paris. ARTISTS WHO CREATE THE BIGGER PICTURE

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UOM_10836336_Melb_Model_Theatre Programme_210x148mm_V1.indd 1 20/10/17 9:02 am Cast & Creative Team

VERITY HUNT-BALLARD KEEGAN JOYCE BEN MINGAY Liz Martin/Harvey Evan

Verity Hunt-Ballard is one of Keegan Joyce’s career began at Vivid White marks Ben Mingay’s Australia’s most versatile leading age 12 in the title role of Cameron Melbourne Theatre Company ladies. Verity is best known for Mackintosh’s Australian tour of debut. Previous stage credits her award-winning performance Oliver. Keegan has since played include Thomas in Rolling as in Cameron major roles in stage productions Thunder Vietnam; The Phantom Mackintosh’s smash hit musical including the role of Andrej in The Phantom of the Opera; of the same name for which she in Once (Melbourne Theatre Zack Mayo in An Officer and received a Helpmann Award Company/Gordon Frost a Gentleman; Tommy De Vito and a Green Room Award. In 2014 Organisation); the Bellboy in in ; Kostecki in Verity won her second Helpmann Titanic: The Musical (Seabiscuit Dirty Dancing; Stewpot in South Award for Best Female Actor Productions); and Edges (James Pacific; Billy in Sideshow Alley in a Musical for her standout Anthony Productions). Keegan is and Berger in . Screen credits performance as Charity Hope best known for the role of Arnold include Alan Bond in House Valentine in for in Josh Thomas’ AACTA award of Bond; Grease Nolan in Mel Luckiest Productions. In 2015 winning TV comedy series Please Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge; Trystan she also won the Sydney Theatre Like Me for the ABC and Pivot Powell in ; Award and a Green Room Award Network USA; and his break out Rob Duffy in Wonderland; Buzz for her performance. Verity’s role of Fuzz in all four seasons of Graham in ; other stage credits include: the ABC’s hit series Rake. Keegan Troy Baxter in Blue Heelers and Hello, Dolly!, will return in Season 5 of Rake Jim Beatson in All Saints. Ben is (); this year. Keegan also appeared also a member of the hit singing The Last Five Years (Vic Theatre in the US feature film Superman group Swing On This. Company); : The Returns directed by Bryan Singer. Musical (GWB Entertainment); Keegan completed his degree in The Rocky Horror Show (Dainty Musicology at the Sydney Co & New Theatricals); Jersey Conservatorium of Music in 2004, Boys (New Theatricals); Eureka and in 2016 recorded his debut (Esgee Productions); Virgins album Snow on Higher Ground (); and Metro released on major digital Street (State Theatre Company platforms and vinyl. of SA), winning a Theatre Critics Award for Best Female Performance. Verity is featured on many cast recordings and has appeared in ABC’s award-winning television series The Doctor Blake Mysteries. ANDREW KAY IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE KINGS HEAD THEATRE PRESENTS AMANDA MUGGLETON AS

MARIA CALLAS IN A BRAND NEW PRODUCTION OF TERRENCE M c NALLY’S MASTERCLASS DIRECTED BY ADAM SPREADBURY–MAHER WITH WILL CONYERS • JESSICA BOYD KALA GARE • ROCCO SPERANZA

SOUTHBANK THEATRE, THE LAWLER FROM 5 JANUARY SOUTHBANKTHEATRE.COM.AU PH: 8688 0800 Cast & Creative Team

CHRISTINA O’NEILL EDDIE PERFECT DEAN BRYANT Cynthia Playwright Director

Christina O’Neill is delighted Eddie Perfect is one of Australia’s MTC Associate Director Dean to be making her Melbourne most diverse, respected and prolific Bryant has previously directed Theatre Company debut in writer/composer/performers, Born Yesterday, Skylight, I’ll Eat Vivid White. Her theatre credits having made his mark in comedy, You Last and Next to Normal for include The River, Middletown, music theatre composition, the Company. He also worked Belleville, Straight and The playwriting, screenwriting, classical on Macbeth, The Drowsy Motherf*cker with the Hat (Red music, jazz and acting for stage Chaperone, The 25th Annual Stitch Actors’ Theatre); Into the and screen. His stage credits Putnam County Spelling Bee (and Woods, Sunday in the Park with include Baz Lurhmann and Global STC season), Hitchcock Blonde George (Victorian State Opera); Creatures’ Strictly Ballroom, and Urinetown (and STC season). (The Production Malthouse Theatre’s Babes In The For Hayes Theatre he directed Company); Gaybies (Midsumma Wood; Drink Pepsi, Bitch; The Big Sweet Charity (Helpmann Festival); Savage in Limbo Con, Shane Warne: The Musical; Award), Little Shop of Horrors (Workhorse Theatre Company); Keating! The Musical; Songs From and Assassians; for Opera Prodigal (fortyfivedownstairs); The Middle collaborating with Australia Two Weddings, One Avenue Q (Arts Asia Pacific/ ANAM, Iain Grandage and the UK’s Bride and (and Power Arts); Monty Python’s Brodsky Quartet; Opera Victoria’s GFO). Other credits include Once Spamalot (Louise Withers & The Threepenny Opera and Opera We Lived Here (London season), Associates); Tell Me on a Sunday Australia’s . His solo DreamSong (TheatreWorks), (Kookaburra); Priscilla, Queen music comedy shows (Angry Eddie; Straight (Red Stitch), The Last of the Desert – The Musical Drink Pepsi, Bitch; Misanthropology) Five Years and five musicals for (Back Row Productions/Chugg have received Helpmann and The Production Company. Entertainment). Christina’s TV , and toured With composer Mathew Frank, credits include Winners and Australia, New Zealand, Edinburgh he wrote Green Room award- Losers (Channel 7); The Divorce and London. His first play winning musicals Prodigal and (ABC); City Homicide (Channel The Beast for Melbourne Theatre Once We Lived Here, as well 7); Best of British Comedy Company was a commercial as Virgins: A Musical Threesome, (Comedy Channel); Jeopardy and critical hit, before touring The Silver Donkey and an Amy (BBC). Christina won the 2010 Australia with Ambassador Winehouse musical for Channel Helpmann Award for Best Theatre Group in 2016. Eddie 10’s Mr & Mrs Murder. Dean Supporting Actress (Avenue Q). is currently writing a musical created verbatim piece Gaybies Christina graduated from WAAPA adaptation of Beetlejuice for Warner (Midsumma Festival). Dean is in 2005. Bros. Theatrical Enterprises in New Worldwide Associate Director York; and is writing the score for of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert on Broadway alongside – The Musical and is a graduate Marius De Vries (Global Creatures), of WAAPA. opening at the end of 2018 at the . Eddie was co-Artistic Director of Adelaide Cabaret Festival in 2016 and 2017. Cast & Creative Team

OWEN PHILLIPS TIM CHAPPEL ROSS GRAHAM Set Designer Costume Designer Lighting Designer

For Melbourne Theatre Company, Tim Chappel’s work on The Ross Graham’s lighting design Owen Phillips has previously Adventures of Priscilla, Queen credits include for Off-Broadway: designed set and costumes of the Desert – The Musical Come Light My Cigarette (St for Egg and I’ll Eat You Last. earned him a Tony, a NYC Drama Clements); Beirut and True West As part of MTC’s NEON Festival, Desk Award, an Olivier Award, (Athena Theatre Company) and Owen designed costumes for a Helpmann Award, and a Green Romeo and Juliet (Lincoln Centre Arthur’s The Myth Project: Room Award along with Spain’s Education). His Australian Credits Twin and Sisters Grimm’s The Premios Teatro Award and include I’ll Eat You Last (Melbourne Sovereign Wife. Other design Canada’s Dora Award. The show Theatre Company); Boys Will Be credits include set and/or continues to tour both nationally Boys and Power Plays (Sydney costume for Two Weddings, and internationally. Tim has also Theatre Company); Title and Deed One Bride (); worked on stage productions and Woyzeck (Belvoir); Little Shop of Horrors (Tinderbox Sweet Charity and Little Shop Assassians, Little Shop of Productions/Luckiest of Horrors (Hayes Theatre Co) Horrors, Sweet Charity, Rent, Dog Productions); Sweet Charity for which he was awarded Best Fight, Love Bites and Violet (Luckiest Productions/Neil Costume Design at the Sydney (Hayes Theatre Co); An Index of Gooding Productions); Niche Theatre Awards; , Pirates Metals, Owen Wingrave and (Elbow Room); , Jerry’s of Penzance, Guys and Dolls, Climbing Towards Midnight (Sydney Girls and La Cage Aux Folles (The , Funny Girl (The Chamber Opera); L’amant Jaloux Production Company); Gaybies Production Company); Dream (Pinchgut Opera); Edward II (Sport (Midsumma Festival); Master Lover (Gordon Frost); and Two For Jove); Nothing Has Changed Class (Left Bauer Productions); Weddings One Bride (Opera (Sydney Symphony Orchestra); Fallen (Sport for Jove/She Said) Australia). Tim’s television work Creature (Stalker Theatre); A Steady and The Dust and Us (Human includes costumes for Dancing Rain (Old Fitz Theatre); Gaybies and Animal Exchange). Owen’s with the Stars and Australia’s This House Is Mine (Darlinghurst designs have been nominated Got Talent, television series VIP Theatre Company); The Mesh for a total of four Green Room starring Pamela Anderson, music (Red Stitch Actors Theatre); Good Awards, two Australian videos for Cher and Missy Elliott, People, Cruise Control, Seminar, Production Design Guild Awards, and feature films including Miss and Skylight (Ensemble Theatre); and two Sydney Theatre Awards, Congeniality and Mental. Tim’s Silent Disco, The Sea Project and winning in 2017 for Little Shop costume design for feature Return to Earth (Griffin Theatre); of Horrors. Owen was also film The Adventures of Priscilla, Voices Project (Australian Theatre a recipient of the Australian Queen of the Desert received an for Young People); Fearless (Milk Council’s ArtStart grant in 2015. Oscar, a BAFTA and an AFI award. Crate Theatre); The Fremantle Owen is a graduate of NIDA. Candidate (Deck Chair); The Underpants and The Olympians (NIDA Guest Artist); Cut Snake and Dirtyland (Arthur, a Theatre Company); Bill W and Dr. Bob (Carriage Works). Cast & Creative Team

RUSSELL GOLDSMITH JAMES SIMPSON SARAH KRIEGLER Sound Designer Musical Director/Orchestrator Assistant Director

Russell Goldsmith is a multiple Thrilled to be making his debut Sarah Kriegler is a director, award-winning Melbourne-based with Melbourne Theatre Company, puppeteer, writer, and Co-Artistic sound designer, composer, James Simpson is a musical Director of Lemony S Puppet producer and audio system director, arranger, orchestrator Theatre. She is an alumni of designer. He has a diverse and cabaret performer. Recent Melbourne Theatre Company body of work in theatre, film, credits include – as Musical Women Directors’ Program. Most television, commercial and Director/Arranger: Lucky: Songs recently, she wrote and directed radio production, live music By Kylie, TWINS, Josie In The Lemony S’ new work Picasso and His Dog which will tour nationally and installation works. He has Bathhouse, Experiment (Adelaide and internationally during 2019 worked as the Sound Designer Cabaret Festival); Thérèse Raquin and was dramaturg and puppetry and Composer for Melbourne (TheatreBench Park Theatre, director on The Flying Fruit Fly Theatre Company productions London); Star*Struck (CIDCOM Circus’ Junk. She has created of Noises Off, John, Disgraced, Productions Stadtsaal, Vienna); works with many other companies Lungs, Endgame, What Rhymes Liza on an E (Speckulation including Malthouse Theatre, with Cars and Girls, I’ll Eat You Entertainment West End/UK Chamber Made Opera (CMO), Last, The Speechmaker, Ghosts, Tour). As orchestrator: Diamonds Polyglot Theatre, Terrapin, The Other Place, His Girl Friday, Are For Trevor (TAE/McMahon Aphids, Arena Theatre Company The Golden Dragon, Don Parties International – Sydney Opera and Theatre Works. She was an On, The Swimming Club and House, , Artistic Associate at CMO for 7 Ruby Moon (for MTC Education). QPAC, Her Majesty’s Theatre years, where she directed Captives He had his Broadway debut Adelaide, The Arts Centre Gold of the City, commissioned by in 2009 with the critically Coast); Liza’s Back!…is broken Arts Centre Melbourne, receiving acclaimed season of Malthouse (Showqueen); Jerry’s Girls (The two Green Room Awards. She is Theatre and Belvoir’s Exit The Production Company); Virgins: currently co-chair of the King at the Ethel Barrymore A Musical Threesome (Echelon Contemporary and Experimental Theatre, where it played for Productions – Malthouse Theatre, Theatre Green Room Awards Panel and is developing a new work sixteen weeks. Russell has New York with Alan Brough. Her television received multiple Green Room Festival, Regional Arts Victoria and film credits include Award nominations, while his tour). As Assistant Musical Farscape, Horace and Tina, sound design for Exit the King Director: The Lion King (Disney Downtown, Squeak and Boo and won the 2007 Sydney Theatre Theatrical). Cast Recordings: Where the Wild Things Are. Sarah’s Award, and was nominated Thérèse Raquin, Virgins: A awards include Best Performance for Best Sound Design at both Musical Threesome. James for Children (Helpmann), the 2008 Green Room Awards graduated with distinction from Churchill Fellowship, Best (Melbourne) and the 2009 the MA Musical Theatre (Musical Design/Realisation & Best Puppet (New York). Directing) course at the Royal Work (Green Room), Best Conservatoire of Scotland, and is Children’s Performance & currently the Assistant Musical Gasworks Award (Melbourne Director of the Australian tour of Fringe). Aladdin The Musical (Disney Theatrical). QR17958 - AU MTC Brand ad_H210x148mm_r1p.indd 1 5/10/17 2:45 PM Melbourne Theatre Company

BOARD OF Philanthropy Receptionist Lauren Trivett House and Bar Jess Grimmond MANAGEMENT Coordinator David Zierk Lyn Molloy Supervisor Min Kingham Terry Moran ac (Chair) Sytske Hillenius PRODUCTION & Jennifer Bismire Drew Thomson Matthew Lilley Tony Burgess Partnerships & TECHNICAL (Wardrobe Bar Supervisors Ross MacPherson Professor Barry Commercial Executive Technical & Secondment) Paul Blenheim Faran Martin Conyngham am Matthew Phoenix Production Director Costume Buyer Sarah Branton Laura McIntosh Professor Glyn Davis ac Partnerships & Adam J Howe Sophie Woodward Tain Stangret Moira Millar Memberships Executive Costume Hire House and Bar Lucy Payne Patricia Faulkner ao PRODUCTION Jonathan Feder Syrie Payne Liz Symons Attendants Sarah Payne Jane Hansen Memberships & Senior Production Millinery Will Atkinson Jolie Robichaux Larry Kamener Partnerships Assistant Manager Phillip Rhodes Stephanie Barham Lee Threadgold Janette Kendall Vivienne Poznanski Michele Preshaw Wigs and Makeup Tanya Batt Partnerships Production Manager Jurga Celikiene Zak Brown COMMISSIONS Sharmistha Law The Joan and Peter Ian Marshman am Assistant (Vivid White) Wardrobe Tom Cushing Lachlan Hywood Josh Noble Maintenance Michael Cutrupi Clemenger Martyn Myer ao Commissions Susan Oliver Production Stella Cadzow Marisa Cuzzolaro EDUCATION Coordinator Ulla-Britta Westergren Leila Gerges Kylie Coolwell Brett Sheehy ao Head of Education Declan Greene Virginia Lovett Marta Losiewicz Damien Harrison and Families Props Buyer/ASM SOUTHBANK Rosie Howell Judith Lucy FOUNDATION Jeremy Rice Swing THEATRE Leighton Irwin Damien Millar BOARD Community Outreach Jess Maguire Theatre Operations Kathryn Joy Ross Mueller Manager Production Director Shivani Kanodia Roslyn Oades Jane Hansen (Chair) Karin Farrell Magda Szubanski Terry Bracks am Administrators Mark D Wheeler Laura Lethlean Education Coordinator Alyson Brown Building Services Ross Macpherson Jean Tong Liz Chappell Nick Tranter Other Commissions Fiona Griffiths Isobel Taylor-Rogers Manager Claire Marsh Adrian Aderhold Faran Martin Hannie Rayson (with Janette Kendall HUMAN TECHNICAL Theatre Jayne Lovelock RESOURCES House Services Natasha Milton Technical Manager Manager Yasmin Mole Club) Virginia Lovett HR Manager Lighting and Sound NEON NEXT Sam Margis Kam Greville Daniel Moulds Christelle Harris Kerry Saxby Production Services Ernesto Munoz Commissions Louise Myer HR Administrator Senior Production Nicola Gunn Leigh O’Neill Manager Emma Palackic Christine Verginis Technician Frank Stoffels Faith Peter NEXT STAGE Hilary Scott EHS Coordinator Allan Hirons Residencies Richard Tegoni Lawler and Events Amy Poonian Liz Mundell Production Technical Supervisor Clare Reddan Dan Giovanonni EXECUTIVE FINANCE Technicians Tom Brayshaw Adam Rogers Natesha Adam Bowring Lighting Supervisor Somasundaram MANAGEMENT Finance Director Richard Saxby Artistic Director & Scott McAlister James Conway Myles Tankle Kylie Trounson Liz Chappell Technical Manager – Staging Supervisor Commissions CEO Finance Manager Bella Vadiveloo Brett Sheehy ao Staging Grant Kennelly Harriet Wallace-Mead Angus Cerini Ness Harwood Andrew Bellchambers Sound Supervisor Patricia Cornelius Executive Director IT and Systems Ali Wheeldon Virginia Lovett Staging Supervisor Terry McKibbin Rhian Wilson Michael Gow Manager – HQ Head Flyman Benjamin Law Executive Assistant to Michael Schuettke Jamaica Zuanettii the Artistic Director & Jamie Cunningham James Tucker Joanna Murray-Smith IT Support Officer Production Design Stage and Technical TICKETING CEO Christopher Rhodes Nick Doherty Coordinator Staff CRM and Ticketing Ellen van Neerven Finance Officer Andrew Bailey Brendan Albrey Director Malcolm Robertson Executive Sarah Thompson Administrator CAD Drafting Matthew Arthur Dale Bradbury Foundation Payroll Officer Jacob Battista Trent Barclay Ticketing Manager Commissions Annie Bourke Julia Godinho PROPERTIES Tim Blundell Brenna Sotiropoulos Angela Betzien ARTISTIC Payments Officer Michael Burnell Ticketing Services Lisa Maundrell Properties Supervisor Administrator MTC CONNECT Associate Directors Siobhan Callanan AMBASSADORS Dean Bryant MARKETING & Geoff McGregor Stewart Campbell Lisa Mibus Sarah Goodes COMMUNICATIONS Props Maker Misha Doe Subscriptions Samah Sabawi Producer Colin Penn Nathan Evers Supervisor Suhasini Seelin Marketing and Jessie Phillips Shannon Lim Martina Murray Communications SCENIC ART Eugene Hallen Literary Director Adam Hanley Database Specialist Vidya Rajan Director Scenic Art Supervisor Ben Gu Wahibe Moussa Chris Mead Vanessa Rowsthorn Shane Dunn Luke Hawley Casting Director Jake Hutchings Data Analyst WOMEN IN Marketing Manager Scenic Artists Megan Thomson Janine Snape James Wright Tansy Elso David Jenkins THEATRE Casting Executive Robert Larsen VIP Ticketing Officer Digital Manager Colin Harman Michael Bingham PROGRAM Matt Bebbington Daniel Coghlan David Letch Company Manager WORKSHOP James Lipari Education Ticketing Gorkem Acaroglu Marketing Campaign Officer Mary Rachel Brown Stephen Moore Manager Workshop Supervisor David Membery NEXT STAGE Stephanie Morrell Mellita Ilich Fiona Bruce Ebony Addinsall Aldo Amenta Samantha Butterworth Administrator Deputy Workshop Josh Noble Box Office Supervisor Marketing Adam Walsh Tania Canas Sarah Thompson Coordinator Supervisor Sophie Norfolk Literary Associate James Paul Box Office Attendants Angelica Clunes Rebecca Lawrence Andrew Weavers Suzanne Cranny Jennifer Medway Set Makers Will Patterson Brent Davidson Lead Graphic Designer Katie Dircks Kellie-Anne Kimber Emma Wagstaff Ken Best Warwick Sadler CATERING Jonathan Schmolzer Peter Dowd Clare McKenzie Designers Brian Easteal Dans Marie Sheehan Catering Manager Nick Gray Lara Soulio Fran Hefferman Andrea Purvis Helena Turinski Jean Lizza Erin Taylor Celeste Njoo Philip de Mulder Michael Taylor Assistant Manager Michelle Thorne Bridget Mackey Emily Tomlins PR and Communications Alastair Read Victoria Woolley Anita Lyovic Peter Rosa Alasdair Watson Debra McDougall Café staff Manager Daniel Scaffidi Rosie Shepherdson- Joy Weng OVERSEAS Bev Reinmuth WARDROBE Ashlee Wohling Tain Stangret Cullen Subscriptions REPRESENTATIVES DEVELOPMENT Publicist Wardrobe Managers Nick Wollan Judy Bunn Team Leader New York Director of Georgia Fox HOUSE AND BAR Fran Hefferman Stuart Thompson Communications Keryn Ribbands Development Wardrobe Staff SERVICES Subscriptions Team Productions Jayne Lovelock Content Producer Bar Manager Simon Braxton Sarah Corridon John Molloy Events Manager Jocelyn Creed Keziah Warner Milly Cooper Mandy Jones PR and Marketing House Supervisors Patrick Crummy Administration Emily Brewer Annual Giving Manager Tiffany Abbott Kasey Gambling Alys Daroy Chris Walters Assistant Brienna Macnish Katie Dircks Jacqui Bartlett Etai Alves Mandy Nichols Paul Terrell Peter Dowd Chris Elliot

QR17958 - AU MTC Brand ad_H210x148mm_r1p.indd 1 5/10/17 2:45 PM MTC Circles of Giving

MTC gratefully acknowledges our visionary donors

MTC LIFETIME PATRONS Acknowledging a lifetime of extraordinary support for MTC. Pat Burke Allan Myers ac qc and Dr Roger Riordan am Peter Clemenger ao and Maria Myers ac Caroline Young and Joan Clemenger ao The Late Biddy Ponsford Derek Young am

ENDOWMENT DONORS Supporting the long term sustainability and creative future of MTC. Leading Endowment Donors $10,000+ Recent Endowment Donors Prof David Penington ac and $1,000,000+ Mim and Michael Bartlett Philip Crutchfield qc and Dr Sonay Hussein Jane Hansen and Paul Little ao Carolyn and John Kirby am Amy Crutchfield Emeritus Prof Peter McPhee Prof Margaret Gardner ao and Dr Monica Pahuja $20,000+ Fred and Alex Grimwade Prof Glyn Davis ac Rosie Harkness Lady Potter ac Tony and Janine Burgess Anne and Mark Robertson oam Renzella Family Geoffrey Cohen Scholarship David and Lily Harris Terry Moran ac Steven Skala ao and Orcadia Foundation Lousje Skala Andrew and Tracey Sisson Robert Peck am and Yvonne von Hartel am Anonymous

MTC’S PLAYWRIGHTS GIVING CIRCLE Supporting the Next Stage Writers’ Program. Louise Myer and Martyn Myer ao, Maureen Wheeler ao and Tony Wheeler ao, Christine Brown Bequest Naomi Milgrom ao, Allan Myers ac qc and Maria Myers ac, Tony Burgess and Janine Burgess Dr Andrew McAliece and Dr Richard Simmie, Larry Kamener and Petra Kamener

ANNUAL GIVING Donors whose annual gifts help MTC enrich and transform lives through the finest theatre imaginable. Benefactors Circle Anonymous (2) Dr Pajouhesh (Smile Solutions) Bruce Freeman ■ $250,000+ $5,000+ In loving memory of Richard Park Heather and Crown Resorts Foundation John and Lorraine Bates Prof David Penington ac and Bob Glindemann oam Packer Family Foundation Sandy Bell and Daryl Kendrick Dr Sonay Hussein Henry Gold Jeanne Pratt ac Leon Goldman $50,000+ Dr Andrew Buchanan and Peter Darcy Janet Reid oam and Allan Reid Roger and Jan Goldsmith The Joan and Peter Clemenger Christopher Richardson Murray Gordon and Lisa Norton Trust Ian and Jillian Buchanan John and Robyn Butselaar The Robert Salzer Foundation ◆ Lesley Griffin The Cybec Foundation Trawalla Foundation Trust Tony Hillery and Warwick Maureen Wheeler ao and The Janet and Michael Buxton Foundation Anonymous (7) Eddington Tony Wheeler ao Bruce and Mary Humphries Barry and Joanne Cheetham Advocates Circle $20,000+ Peter and Halina Jacobsen Tom and Elana Cordiner ● $2,500–$4,999 The Late Betty Amsden ao dsj The Dowd Foundation Janette Kendall ◆ Dr Geraldine Lazarus and Marc Besen ac and Alex and Halina Lewenberg Melody and Jonathan Eva Besen ao Greig Gailey Feder ■ ● Virginia Lovett and Hutchinson Builders ● Jay Bethell and Peter Smart Rose Hiscock ● Gjergja Family Grant Fisher and Helen Bird Louise and Martyn Myer ao Robert and Jan Green Carol Mackay and Greg Caroline and Derek Young am ▲ Bill Bowness ao Branson David and Lily Harris Sandra and Bill Burdett am The Vizard Foundation Jane Hemstritch Dr Sam and Belinda Margis Lynne and Rob Burgess and NEST Family Clinics ◆ $10,000+ Linda Herd Pat Burke and Jan Nolan Dr Sue McNicol qc Erica Bagshaw Dr Caroline Liow Diana Burleigh Peter and Kim Monk ◆ The Cattermole Family Anne Le Huray Jenny and Stephen Charles ao Sandy and Sandra Murdoch Christine Gilbertson ◆ Marshall Day Acoustics The Cuming Bequest Jane and Andrew Murray Macgeorge Bequest (Dennis Irving Scholarship) Debbie Dadon am Dr Paul Nisselle am and The late Noel Mason and Ian and Judi Marshman Ann Darby Sue Nisselle Susanna Mason ▲ Ian and Margaret McKellar Dr Anthony Dortimer Tony Osmond and The Lord Mayor’s Charitable George and Rosa Morstyn and Jillian Dortimer Fiona Griffiths◆ Foundation Daniel Neal and Peter Chalk Dr Helen Ferguson Peter Philpott and Craig Semple ▲ Tom and Ruth O’Dea ■ Rosemary Forbes and Robert Ratcliffe Luisa Valmorbida ▲ Leigh O’Neill ◆ Ian Hocking Anne and Mark Dr Cyril Curtain Larry Kornhauser and Margaret Sahhar Robertson oam ◆ Mark and Jo Davey Natalya Gill ■ Katherine Sampson Max Schultz Jocelyn Davies Alan and Wendy Kozica and Michael Jaboor Hilary and Stuart Scott ● Mark and Amanda Derham Ruth and Michael Kurc ■ Susan Santoro Tim and Lynne Sherwood Katharine Derham-Moore Elizabeth Laverty Kaylene Savas ◆ Richard and Debra Tegoni ◆ ● Robert Drake Joan and George Lefroy Graeme Seabrook Cheryl and Paul Veith Bev and Geoff Edwards Rosemary Leffler Marshall Segan and Ralph Ward-Ambler am and George and Eva Ermer Leg Up Foundation Ylana Perlov Barbara Ward-Ambler Anne and Graham Evans ao Alison Leslie Claire Sheed Price and Christine Williams Marian Evans Peter and Judy Loney Prof Barry Sheehan Margaret and Ray Wilson oam Dr Alastair Fearn Neil and Vida Lowry and Pamela Waller Gillian and Tony Wood Jan and Rob Flew Dr Peter and Amanda Lugg Steven Nicholls and Laurel Young-Das and Heather Forbes ■ Elizabeth Lyons Brett Sheehy ao Heather Finnegan Elizabeth Foster Ken and Jan Mackinnon Diane Silk Anonymous (5) John Fullerton Alister and Margaret Maitland Dr John Sime Kate Galvin ◆ Helen Mantzis ◆ Jane Simon and Peter Cox Loyalty Circle Nigel and Cathy Garrard Joyce and Bernard Marks Reg and Elaine Smith oam – $1,000–$2,499 Diana and Murray Gerstman John and Margaret Mason Earimil Gardens Charity Dr Katie Allen and Malcolm Allen Gill Family Foundation Garry McLean Tim and Angela Smith Noel and Sylvia Alpins am Brian Goddard Elizabeth McMeekin Annette and In memory of Nicola Andrews Charles and Cornelia Goode Robert and Helena Mestrovic Graham Smorgon ◆ Valma E. Angliss am Foundation ◆ John G Millard Diana and Brian Snape am James and Helen Angus Sarah Graff Ross and Judy Milne-Pott Geoff and Judy Steinicke Kate Aplin Isabella Green oam and Ging Muir and Ricci Swart Margaret Astbury Richard Green John McCawley ■ Rodney and Aviva Taft John and Dagnija Balmford John and Jo Grigg Barbara and David Mushin Sylvia Taylor Angelina Beninati Jane Grover ◆ Nelson Bros Funeral Services Suzanne Thompson David and Rhonda Black Ian and Wendy Haines James Ostroburski Frank Tisher oam and Steve and Terry Bracks am Glen Harrington and Dr Harry and Rita Perelberg Dr Miriam Tisher Jenny and Lucinda Brash Robyn Eastham Dr Annamarie Perlesz Susie Waite ● Tamara Brezzi ◆ Jane Hodder ◆ Prof Hannah Piterman ◆ Kevin and Elizabeth Walsh ■ Beth Brown and Tom Bruce am Sandi and Gil Hoskins Dug and Lisa Pomeroy Pinky Watson Pam Caldwell Emeritus Prof Andrea Hull ao Sally Redlich Marion Webster ◆ Alison and John Cameron Ann and Tony Hyams am Victoria Redwood Ursula Whiteside John and Jan Campbell Peter Jaffe Dr S M Richards am Penelope and Joshua White Jessica Canning Ed and Margaret Johnson and M R Richards Ann and Alan Wilkinson Clare and Richard Carlson Prof Shitij Kapur and Rogers Family ■ Jan Williams ■ Fiona Caro Dr Sharmistha Law Sue Rose John and Myriam Wylie Kathleen Cator Katherine Kavakos ◆ Rae Rothfield Foundation ◆ Chef’s Hat Irene Kearsey and Linda Robinstein Mandy and Edward Yencken Chernov Family Michael Ridley and Paul Slape ● Graeme and Nancy Yeomans Sue Clarke and Lindsay Allen Malcolm Kemp Patrick Rundle and Greg Young Assoc Prof Lyn Clearihan and Liana Kestelman ◆ Damien Mulvihill ■ Roz Zalewski and Dr Anthony Palmer Fiona Kirwan-Hamilton Anne and Laurie Ryan Jeremy Ruskin Dr Robin Collier and Neil Collier and Simon E Marks sc F & J Ryan Foundation Ange and Pete Zangmeister Sandy and Yvonne Constantine Doris and Steve Klein Edwina Sahhar Anonymous (26)

LEGACY CIRCLE Acknowledging supporters who have made the visionary gesture of including a gift to MTC in their will. Mark and Tamara Boldiston Peter and Betty Game Max Schultz Peter Philpott and Bernadette Broberg Irene Kearsey Dr Andrew McAliece and Robert Ratcliffe Adam and Donna Cusack-Muller Fiona Griffiths Dr Richard Simmie Anonymous (5)

LEGACY GIFTS Remembering and honouring those who have generously supported MTC through a bequest. The Estate of Leta-Rae Arthy The Estate of Betty Ilic The Estate of James Hollis The Estate of Freda E White The Christine Brown Bequest The Estate of Bettie Kornhauser Minson The Estate of Dorothy Wood The Estate of Ron Chapman The Kitty and Leslie Sandy The Estate of Prudence The Estate of Gordan J Compton Bequest Ann Tutton

Acknowledging Donors who join together to support innovative and inspiring programs for the benefit of our community. ▲ ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE ■ YOUTH AMBASSADORS ◆ WOMEN IN THEATRE ● EDUCATION GIVING CIRCLE GIVING CIRCLE GIVING CIRCLE

To find out more about supporting MTC please call 03 8688 0959 or visit mtc.com.au/support Current as of October 2017 Thank You

MTC would like to thank the following organisations for their generous support

Major Partners

Major Media Partners

Production Partners

Premium Season Partners

Season Partners

Marketing Partners

Southbank Theatre Partners

If you would like to join our corporate family or host a private event, please contact [email protected] What’s On

11 JANUARY —18 FEBRUARY

Direct from the National Theatre is the five-time Tony and seven-time Olivier Award-winning play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Don’t miss out on this international phenomenon presented by MTC and Arts Centre Melbourne. Tickets are now on sale. mtc.com.au/2018

THE CHILDREN GIFT IDEAS By Lucy Kirkwood Three of Australia’s favourite leading actors, From beautifully designed Gift Vouchers to , Sarah Peirse and William tickets to a show, treat your friends and Zappa, are at the heart of this marvellous loved ones to an unforgettable theatrical new play from award-winning British experience this festive season. playwright Lucy Kirkwood.

3 FEBRUARY – 10 MARCH MTC.COM.AU/GIFTIDEAS

GET SOCIAL WITH MTC MelbourneTheatreCompany melbtheatreco melbtheatreco MTC.COM.AU Freedom, reimagined.

The all-new Audi A5 Cabriolet. Openly beautiful.

Audi Australia is proud to be a Major Partner of Melbourne Theatre Company.

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