Draft Press Release s2

MEDIA RELEASE 22 JULY 2010

THE WEST END AND BROADWAY HIT COMEDY THE GRADUATE STARRING JERRY HALL & RIDER STRONG HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE From 26th August – STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON

AUSTRALIAN CAST ANNOUNCED

After an exhaustive audition process the producers are pleased to announce that they have now chosen the Australian supporting cast to play alongside Jerry Hall and Rider Strong.

Stage and television actor Kate Jenkinson (The Wedge, Thank God You’re Here, Rush) will take on the role of Elaine Robinson and will be joined by West Australian theatre identities - Michelle Fornasier (Mrs Braddock), David Meadows (Mr Braddock) and Luke Hewitt (Mr Robinson) in this iconic piece of American pop culture.

“A smart, sexy, funny new play” Independent on Sunday

Performing on stage in Australia for the first time, Jerry Hall reclaims her role as the sexy, sultry Mrs Robinson.

“Jerry Hall is cool, suave, sleek, languid, elegant and charismatic; which is all that Mrs Robinson should be” The Times

“She makes a witty, sharp, drop-dead gorgeous Mrs Robinson” BBC London Live

Besides her role as Mrs. Robinson, Ms. Hall has numerous theatre credits to her name, including originating the role of Sugar in Bud Shrake’s Benchmark, directed by Michael Rudman at the New End Theatre in Hampstead. She also has had roles in the U.S. and West End productions of Bus Stop, the West End productions of The Vagina Monologues and The Play What I Wrote. She was the guest star with the North American Tour of The Vagina Monologues in Austin, Texas, and toured England with Picasso’s Women, a 52-minute monologue. More recently Jerry performed in the West End hit production of Calendar Girls. American actor Rider Strong reunites with Jerry to perform the role of Benjamin Braddock. Rider has a strong background in television in the United States having performed in seven season of the ABC’s Boy Meets World.

Along with his brother, Rider wrote and directed the award-winning short film, “Irish Twins,” which premiered at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival and went on to play festivals worldwide. The pair also created a campaign commercial in support of Barack Obama that became the first political ad to air on Comedy Central.

Adapted from Charles Webb’s novel and the Oscar award winning film, The Graduate is at once both a moving coming of age story and a terrifically funny black comedy. As relevant today as the day it was written, The Graduate is set against a soundtrack of some of the most memorable songs of the sixties including Wouldn’t It Be Nice by The Beach Boys, Everybody’s Talkin’ by Harry Nilsson and, of course, The Sound of Silence and Mrs Robinson by Simon and Garfunkel.

The GRADUATE will play His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth for 21 performances only! The show previews on the 26th August and opens on the 28th August 2010.

THE GRADUATE Perth season is directed by Peter Lawrence, adapted by Terry Johnson, from the novel by Charles Webb and the screenplay by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry. It is produced by Kay & McLean Productions Pty Ltd in association with the Perth Theatre Trust, HVK Productions and Michael Coppel and is sponsored by Eventscorp.

Production design is by Rob Howell (sets and costumes), Hugh Vanstone (lighting) and Christopher Cronin (sound). THE GRADUATE features songs by Paul Simon, performed by Simon and Garfunkel, and original music composed and arranged by Barrington Pheloung.

The GRADUATE was originally commissioned and produced on the London and Broadway stage by John Reid and Sacha Brooks.

To book your tickets call the box office now on (08) 9484 1133 or 1800 193 300, or online at www.bocsticketing.com.au For Groups call (08) 9321 6831 or Fax (08) 9486 1722

Further media information or interviews please contact:

Perth - Lynne Burford, Lynne Burford Publicity - Ph: 9355 1455 or [email protected]

Sydney - Bruce Pollack, Pollack Consulting, (02) 9331 5276 or [email protected]

Melbourne - Peter Bridges, [email protected]