FEBRUARY,1985 Vol 9 No 1 ISSN 0314 - 0598 New David Williamson Play SONS OF KANE BY DAVID WILLIAMSON Directed by David Williamson Set and costume design by Shaun Gurton Cast: Noel Ferrier, John Gregg, Max Cullen, Sandy Gore, Libby Clark and Genevieve Picot Theatre Royal t is now almost four years since David I Williamson's last play THE PERFEC­ TIONIST was premiered and in that time he has been working in other media creating a screenplay of THE PERFEC­ TIONIST and writing THE LAST BASTION for television. But the attrac­ tion of the theatre was too great for him to stay away from live performance for long and a chance conversation with journalists in a pub one night provided the inspiration for a new play. SONS OF KANE is about crime and cor­ ruption, an issue on which David Williamson has not focused his attention since THE REMOVALISTS in 1981 Poppie Nongena (coincidentally to be remounted at Phillip Street Theatre later this month). The Enthralling Musical Theatre managing editor of a big newspaper em­ pire (played by John Gregg) uncovers Based on a novel by Elsa Joubert critic of The Guardian newspaper as one clear evidence that an honest cop has Written for the stage by Elsa Joubert and of the most impressive pieces of drama to been moved out of the force because he's Sandra Kotze emerge from South Africa in the past too much trouble. The idealism of youth Directed by Hilary Blecher decade, this production has taken Lon­ is rekindled and he brings in one of his Music by Sophie Mgcina don and New York by storm, collecting a friends (played by Max Cullen) whose Designed by Douglas Heap Lighting design by James Baird number of awards, including the career has taken a downturn to in­ Cast: Thulia Dumakude, Sophie Mgcina, prestigious Obie (for Outstanding vestigate the whole affair. Tsepo Mokone, Fena Kekana, Selaelo Musical Performance). The company The production is of particular interest as Maredi, Michelle Maxwell and Alan Coates being brought to Australia by the Festival it is to be directed by the playwright. Footbridge Theatre of Perth will feature most of the original Although David Williamson has directed New York and London cast, including a number of productions for other he internationally acclaimed anti­ Thuli Durnakude who has just been writers, this will be the first time he has T apartheid play POPPlE NONGENA named Best Actress in a new play at the directed one of his own plays. will be presented by The Australian Laurence Olivier Awards in London for The play is to be mounted by the Elizabethan Theatre Trust in association her performance in the title role. Melbourne Theatre Company and opens with The Festival of Perth, at the Foot­ POPPlE NONGENA is directed by in March in Melbourne. It will be bridge Theatre, Sydney, for a two week Hilary Blecher who worked as resident presented in Sydney in conjunction with season, commencing March 12, 1985. director at the Market Theatre, Johan­ the Sydney Theatre Company and opens POPPlE NONGENA is an intensely nesburg, where she directed the original at the Theatre Royal in May. See moving musical play which traces the life 1980 production with a racially integrated Member Activities p.lO for pre-theatre of a coloured servant of white South cast. dinner. African masters, from her carefree youth . BOOKING INFORMATION It to a shattered middle-age. is the true Tues May 14 to Sat June 15 story of a Xhosa woman, still trying to BOOKING INFORMATION Mon to Sat at 8 p.m. keep her family together in the face of the Tues Mar 12 to Sat Mar 23 Wed at 1 p.m. legalised violence of apartheid. The Mon to Sat at 8 p.m. Sat at 2 p.m. powerful musical score by Sophie Mgcina Sat at 2.15 p.m. AETT $14.90 (previews May 10, 11 illustrates the close involvement music AETT $13.90 (2 p.m. and 8 p.m.). 13); $15.90 (Mon to has in the daily lives of the Xhosa people. G.P. $15.90 Thurs during season) Pens/ Stud $10.00 (Mon to Thur and Sat G.P. $18.90 Based on the novel by South African Mat only) Pens/ Stud $9.90 author Elsa Joubert and described by the 2 At Marian Street the central role of the Intrigue and Jacksons will be played by Judi Farr and Shorts at the Wharf Espionage at Marian Ron Graham. The outstanding cast Directors: Rex Cramphorn, Wayne Harrison, brought together for the production will Anne Harvey, Michael Jenkins, Phillip Keir, Street be directed by John Krummel. The Richard Lawton, Robyn Nevin, Richard season opens on February 13 and seats Wherrett, Carol Woodrow PACK OF LIES BY HUGH WHITEMORE Production Design by Geoffrey Gifford Directed by John Krummel are available for Trust Members at a $5.00 discount on Sunday February 17 Lighting by Grant Fraser Designed by Peter Cooke Cast: Terry Bader, Gary Files, Lewis Fitz­ and Tuesday February 19. Cast: Judi Farr, Barry Creyton, Ron Graham, Gerald, Kate Fitzpatrick, Drew Forsythe, Elaine Lee, Linden Wilkinson, Melanie Katrina Foster, Melissa Jaffer, John Polson, Openheimer and Mary Ann Severne BOOKING INFORMATION Diane Smith Marian St. Theatre Wed Feb 13 to Sat Apr 20 Tues to Sat at 8.15 p.m. British play based on the Gordon Sat and Sun at 5 p.m. "T he truth is that industry spends a Wed Mat 11 a.m. great deal of time and money on Lonsdale/ Krogers spy scandal of A AETT $11.90 (Sun Feb 17), $12.90 (Tue research and development while the 1960 will be presented at Marian Street Feb 19) theatre spends precious little." So said Theatre by the Northside Theatre Com­ Pens/ Stud $10.90 (Feb 19 only) Richard Wherrett, artistic director of the pany later this month. It is the first stage Bookings for other performances on Sydney Theatre Company announcing play by British television writer Hugh 498-3166 the season of SHORTS at the STC's new Whitemore and opened in London in late AETT discount $1 .00 (except Fri and Sat) Wharf Theatre. The new harbourside 1983 with Judi Dench and her husband venue will provide the opportunity to Michael Williams (seen here on ABC showcase new writing and new writers as television in "A Fine Romance") in the A Home for the STC well as provide special opportunities to lead roles. ith the opening of the new Wharf expose and develop promising talent and PACK OF LIES tells the story of a W Theatre at Pier 4 Walsh Bay the allow established talent to experiment in suburban family household, the Sydney Theatre Company not only has a new fields. A more unexpected role is to Jacksons, whose quiet, respectable life is splendid new venue for its more in­ house rare and neglected classic works disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious novative work but it also has a splendid and to provide a place to experiment in visitor. The family is plunged into a home to house the company's diverse new ways of presenting the classics. world of espionage and betrayal where activities. Before moving to the Wharf The season of SHORTS which opened on secret observers are hidden behind lace the company's activities were spread over curtains. The interest of the play lies in five locations: administration, rehearsal January 17 and will continue until March 22 consists of ten short plays - five the effect the secret service operations and wardrobe at one; set construction at have on the lives of the Jacksons. Writing a second; set and backdrop painting at a classic texts from the international reper­ in the London Times, Irving Wardle said: third; storage at a fourth; and of course toire and five contemporary Australian performance at a fifth - the Drama plays. As with the original SHORTS "The effect on the couple .. is season that the STC produced at the catastrophic and extremely painful to Theatre of the Sydney Opera House. Not the ideal situation in which to develop Stables in 1981, three plays will be watch. Mr Williams, hands sinking ever presented each evening with a new play deeper into his trouser pockets, con­ good working relationships and a cohesive "house style"! being added to the repertoire each week templates the domestic crackup with an and one being deleted. The season has But the complex was not only designed impotent smile. Miss Dench changes been generously sponsored by CHAN­ for its residents; it is equally delightful from an amiable relaxed figure into a NEL 7 Sydney. twitchy recluse, withering in the climate for its patrons. A leisurely stroll down the of lies." 200-metre length of the wharf brings you PERFECT MATCH, written by Kathy to the theatre foyer with its magnificent Lette and directed by Robyn Nevin, is a views over the Harbour. Here patrons witty and fast-paced parody of the conse­ can enjoy pre-theatre or after-show sup­ quences of the current fad for computer pers, take refreshments at the bar or en­ arranged television romance. joy a cup of expresso coffee. SWALLOWING IS A VERY PRIVATE The Wharf Theatre is situated on Pier 4, THING by Ailsa Mathieson and directed Hickson Road, Walsh Bay, approximate­ by Anne Harvey is the story of a woman ly 250 metres from Pier 1 near the Har­ trying to come to grips with herself. bour Bridge and The Rocks. At night and THE BALD PRIMA DONNA, directed at the weekend parking is available in by Richard Wherrett, was written by Hickson Road and Pottinger Street.