MARCH, 1985 Vol 9 No 2 ISSN 0314 - 0598 A publication of the Australian Eli zabethan Theatre Trust

Cats Opens in July CATS by Andrew Lloyd Webber Based on 'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats' by T. S. Eliot Directed by Trevor Nunn Assistant Director and Choreographer: Gillian Lynne Designed by John Napier Lighting design by David Hersey Theatre Royal he eagerly awaited Australian pro­ T duction of the Andrew Lloyd-Weber musical CATS opens in Sydney in July. The production will feature an all­ Australian cast (yet to be announced) with the London production team. CATS, which has been playing in Lon­ don since May 1981, is the first major musical written by Andrew Lloyd Web­ ber without the collaboration of Tim Rice. Their previous successes were JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAM COAT (1967), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (1970) and EVITA (1975). CATS is based Footrot Flats An on T. S. Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" which was published in October 1939. Eliot had a great affection Hilarious Musical Frolic for cats and 'Possum' was his nickname There is little attempt at plot. The show among his friends. Based on the cartoon strip by Murray Ball Most of the poems compris'ing the book Written {or the stage by Roger Hall works instead through a series of sket­ have been set to music complete and in Music by A. K. Grant ches within the framework of some their originally published form; a few Lyrics by Philip Norman familiar themes: town against country, have been subject to a minor revision and Directed by Brian Debnam conservation against expediency, and, Musical direction by Denis Follington last but not least, the love of a good eight lines have been added to "The Song Choreography by Kevan Johnston woman against anything that stands in of the Jellicles". However, some of the Cast Includes: Robert Faggeter, Terry its way. The various animals wear lyrics were discovered among the McDermott and Wayne Comley unpublished writings of Eliot. Footbridge Theatre costumes but not masks as the produc­ tion aims to dress the actor in a stylistic Because of the anticipated demand for representation of the character and let CATS tickets, we have been unable to ne of the most widely read cartoon the audience provide the imagination to negotiate the large discount normally O strips in this part of the world is create the cartoon characters. available for major productions. We "Footrot Flats" by New Zealander have arranged a small discount but more Murray Ball which is syndicated into FOOTROT FLATS premiered in New importantly, we believe, we have set aside various Australian newspapers, Zealand and then opened in Perth in prime seats in Stalls Rows L, M and N including the Daily Mirror in Sydney. May 1984 where it was a runaway suc­ for members at specific performances. As The strip is about the goings on at a cess. A West Australian tour, Adelaide the catwalk extends back to row G we whacky farm run by Wal Footrot and season and South Australian tour believe our allocation to be the best seats populated by a diverse range of four­ followed . The musical opens at Sydney's in the house. footed friends led by Dog, Wal's co­ Footbridge Theatre on March 28. The season is presented by John Manford In­ star. BOOKING INFORMATION ternational by arrangement with the Mon Aug 26, Thu Aug 29, Mon Sep 2, It is hard to imagine the strip being suc­ Gordon Frost Organisation. Wed Sep 4, Mon Sep 16, Mon Sep 23, cessfully translated into a stage musical Thu Sep 26 at 8 p.m. but NZ playwright Roger Hall (whose BOOKING INFORMATION Sat Sep 7, Sat Sep 21, Sat Oct 5 (Long play MIDDLE AGED SPREAD was Mon Apr I to Sat Apr 13 Weekend) and Sat Oct 26 at 2 p.m. seen at the Stables Theatre in November) Mon to Sat at 8 p.m. AETT $33 .50, G.P. $35.00 Wed and Sat at 2 p .m. No pens/ stud discount working in co-operation with the strip's Two AETT tickets and two G.P. tickets creator and composer and lyricist A. K. AETT $14.00 G .P. $17 .50 per member only Grant and Philip Norman has succeeded Pens/Stud $12.00 (Mon to Fri) AETT discount unavailable at Theatre in creating an hilarious family entertain­ Two AETT tickets per member Royal ment. 2

agents, lawyers and performers. Plans Public Season by A New Lease of Life for 1985 are well ahead and include a fresh and invigorating programme of Theatre Of Deaf for the Old Salt Factory comedy, rock 'n' roll, drama, cabaret, MAN EQUALS MAN by Bertold Brecht n March 1984 Sue Hill and Chris talk, music, dance, exhibitions and Directed by Ben Strout I Westwood, principals of the theatrical variety. The theatre will be open seven Set design by !lonka Craig promotion company, Understudies, days a week with late night shows and Costume design by Imogene Hall learned that Nimrod was moving out of bar and food service. There will always Cast: Colin Allen, Carol Lee Aquiline, Janet their Surry Hills premises and that the be something going on. The theatre has Kitcher, David London, David Pidd, Steve theatre would be up for sale. Commer­ been renamed the Belvoir St. Theatre Ripley, Martha Rundell, Catherine Gillard. and opens this month. Studio at the Wharf cial managements had expressed interest in the theatre but Understudies had dif­ The theatre's pricing policy is equally in­ he Theatre of the Deaf, the ferent aspirations; they wanted to see the novative. Tickets for all performances T Australian Elizabethan Theatre theatre firmly in the hands of the profes­ are $15 .00, but instead of offering a Trust's own in-house theatre company, sion. They wanted to run a space in subscription ticket the theatre invites will present Bertold Brecht's play MAN Sydney that would generate new work, a patrons to purchase a book of ten tickets EQUALS MAN in the Sydney Theatre place for theatrical innovation and ex­ for $100 which can be used by anyone at Company's Studio Theatre at the Wharf perimentation, to introduce new writers any performance. So for example a par­ from April 10 to 27. It will be the com­ and performers and, through a broad ty of ten could use the book at one per­ pany's first public season since A range of exciting activities, to add much­ formance or a couple could use it over WINTER'S TALE in 1981. The produc­ needed colour and variety to Sydney's five visits. theatrical diet. tion of this extremely funny play by the Opening on March 7 in the Upstairs Actors, directors, designers were invited Theatre of the Deaf uses both music and Theatre is Ha Ha Ha, a remarkable to contribute $1,000 each to mount a the exciting theatricality of simultaneous company which combines rock and sign language and the spoken word to tender. The response was remarkable. theatre. It has been described as "Like a Within a short space of time, over 500 create an innovative theatre piece. rock clip on stage". Harry M. Miller shares were sold and a successful tender MAN EQUALS MAN is set in distant said of the group "It's the only new was mounted. The result was a theatre Kilkoa (Nepal) where four British frontier that I've seen in rock and roll or owned debt free by the industry for the soldiers raid a temple for its riches and, in young music theatre in more than ten industry. Shareholders in the company the process, are forced to abandon one of years". Downstairs will be a series of read like a who's who of the profession -their number. Covering up their part in films by new Australian filmmakers bas­ - Robyn Archer, Neil Armfield, the crime, the soldiers persuade a local ed around individual artists. porter, J. Galgei, to stand in for the miss­ Patrick White, Noni Haselhurst, Barry ing soldier at roll call. Galgei little knows Otto, Cathy Downes, Steve J. Spears, what he has let himself in for! Mel Gibson and Stephen Sewell to name BOOKING INFORMATION a few . Chairman of the Board is Mr. Thu Mar 7 to Sun Apr 7 The Theatre of the Deaf is Australia's Justice McClelland. premier, professional deaf theatre com­ Tue to Sat at 8 p.m. Wed, Sat and Sun at 5 p.m. pany. It consists of deaf and hearing ac­ A separate board which is also the ar­ AETT discount $1 .00 tors who use a blend of sign language, tistic directorate has been set up to run the theatre and members include a wide No AETT discounts on ticket books voice, mime and gesture to produce a Bookings on 699 3273 unique style of theatre. The company ranging expertise - directors, designers, works mainly as a theatre-in-education team and each year performs to approxi­ mately 50,000 students in schools throughout NSW. It has also visited Tasmania, Victoria, the ACT and South Australia. The company was established in 1979 under the auspices of the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust and receives financial support from the Theatre Board of the Australian Council and the office of the Minister for the Arts in New South Wales. BOOKING INFORMATION Wed Apr 10 to Sat Apr 27 Tue to Sat at 8 p.m. Sat at 4 p.m. AETT $11.90, $10.00 (Apr II only) G.P. $13.90, Pens/stud $9.00 Two AETT tickets per member Ken Tribe [ or Nimrod and Jim McClelland [ or fhe Syndicafe exchange confraCfS in A ugusf 1984 3

e Australian Ballet , he Australian Ballet's 1985 season opens in Sydney on March 15 with perennially popular ballet COP­ LIA. Dame Peggy van Praagh will son ally supervise the production. PPELIA is the first of three programs be presented by the Ballet in the next BELVOIR STREET (699 3273) * HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE (266 4800) 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills Quay Street, Sydney months. Auditoria: Upstairs and Downstairs Licensed bar and restaurant gramme Two includes V ARIA­ Licensed bar Wheelchair access NS ON A NURSERY THEME by Wheelchair access to both auditoria $1.50 service charge on phone credit RTACUS' creator Laszlo Sergei, Credit cards accepted card bookings On street parking Pay parking at Kings cor Thomas and o will return to Australia to stage this Quay Sts rk; Maurice Bejart's WEBERN OPUS IN THE NIGHT, Jerome Robbins' let which has been exclusive [0 the * BONDI PAVILION (30 7211) York City Ballet and The Royal Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach lIet; and David Lichine's infectious Unlicensed ADUATION BALL. No wheelchair access * KINSELAS (331 3100) Oxford Square No credit cards Two licensed restaurants Parking in Queen Elizabeth Drive Cocktail bar Theatre restaurant No wheelchair access No service charge for credit cards On street parking * ENSEMBLE THEATRE (929 8877) 78 McDougall St, Milson's Point Licensed restaurant and bar Wheelchair access $1.00 service charge for credit cards On street parking * MARIAN STREET THEATRE (498 3166) Marian St, Killara Resident company: Northside Theatre Company FOOTBRIDGE THEATRE (692 9955) Licensed restaurant and bar University of Sydney, Parramatta Rd, Wheelchair access Licensed bar No charge for credit cards Wheelchair access Theatre carpark $1.00 service charge for credit cards Parking on Parramatta Rd and Arundle St

* GENESIAN THEATRE (267 7774) * NEW THEATRE (519 3403) 470 Kent St, Sydney 542 King St, Newtown Unlicensed Unlicensed Wheelchair access Wheelchair access No credit cards No credit cards Pay parking at Kings, 452 Kent St On street parking DON'T KEEP IT TO YOURSELF I TELL A FRIEND ABOUT AETT MEMBERSHIP ING INFORMATION OPPELIA: March 15 to April 6 ------'rogramme Two: April 12 to May 2 NEW MEMBER APPLICATION FOAIM 'rogramme Three: May 8 to May 28 MR/MRS/MISS/MS______--'- _____ Aon to Sat al 7:30 p.m. Sal at 1: 30 p.m. pera Theatre, Sydney Opera House ADDRESS ______;ubscription inquiries on 357 1200 ;ingle performance purchases: P'CODE______TEL (day) ______'(evening) ______~ETT $33 .00, G.P. $35.00 ,hild/ pens $25.00 1 enclose cheque for $20 (made payable to A.E.T.T.) ;pecial Monday night concessions for hose under 26 years or charge my 0 Bankcard • Mastercard Expiry date -wo AETT tickets per member DDDDDDDDDDDD •• DODD ETT discount unavailable at S.O.H.

Signature ...... ···· · ········· ·· . Membership valid for 12 months from date of joining. 2 OFF BROADWAY (692 0964) * ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE (266 4800) * Haymarket, Sydney 73-79 Bay St, Glebe Licensed bar Licensed bar and restaurant Wheelchair access McDonald's family restaurant $1.00 service charge for credit cards Wheelchair access Free parking at Hodgson's Dye Agency, $I.S0 service charge on phone credit Bay St card bookings Pay parking at Centre (access from Pier or Quay Sts) Public Season by A * PERFORMANCE SPACE (698 7235) * SYDNEY SAILORS' HOME (273 274) Theatre Of Deaf for 199 Cleveland St, Redfern 106-108 George Street, Sydney Unlicensed Resident company: Marionette Theatre MAN EQUALS MAN by Bertold Brecht Wheelchair access of Australia Directed by Ben Strout I~{ No credit cards Licensed bar Parking on Cleveland St Wheelchair access Set design by /lonka Craig prorr No service charge on credit card Costume design by Imogene Hall learn bookings Cast: Colin Allen, Carol Lee Aquiline, Janet their On street parking Kitcher, David London, David Pidd, Steve theat Ripley, Martha Rundell, Catherine Gillard. Studio at the Wharf cial n * PHILLIP STREET THEATRE (232 8570) in th 169 Phillip Street, Sydney * THEATRE ROYAL (2316111) Unlicensed feren King Street, Sydney he Theatre of the Deaf, the Wheelchair access Licensed bar T Australian Elizabethan Theatre theat No service charge for credit cards Wheelchair access Trust's own in-house theatre company, sion. Parking near St. Mary's Cathedral $1.00 service charge on phone credit or pay parking under Theatre Royal will present Bertold Brecht's play MAN Sydn card bookings Pay parking under theatre EQUALS MAN in the Sydney Theatre place Company's Studio Theatre at the Wharf perin from April 10 to 27. It will be the com­ and pany's first public season since A rang{ * THE WHARF THEATRE (250 1777) need( * Q THEATRE (047 21 5735) Hickson Road, Walsh Bay WINTER'S TALE in 1981. The produc­ Cnr Railway and Belmore Sts, Penrith Licensed bar and light refreshments tion of this extremely funny play by the theat Licensed bar Wheelchair access Theatre of the Deaf uses both music and ActOI Wheelchair access SOC service charge on phone credit card No charge for credit cards bookings the exciting theatricality of simultaneous to c Free parking in adjacent council car park On street parking sign language and the spoken word to tende create an innovative theatre piece. With MAN EQUALS MAN is set in distant share SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE (20588) was I * Kilkoa (Nepal) where four British Bennelong Point, Sydney soldiers raid a temple for its riches and, in owne * THE ROCKS PLAYERS (569 0223) Resident company: Sydney Theatre Cor Marion and Renwick Sts, Leichhardt the process, are forced to abandon one of indus Company Unlicensed Auditoria: Concert Hall, Opera Theatre, -their number. Covering up their part in read Wheelchair access Drama Theatre and Playhouse I No credit cards the crime, the soldiers persuade a local Lice1l$ed bar and restaurant Patri On street parking porter, 1. Galgei, to stand in for the miss­ Self service restaurant ing soldier at roll call. Galgei little knows Otto, Wheelchair access what he has let himself in for! Mel ~ $1.00 service charge on credit card a fe bookings The Theatre of the Deaf is Australia's lusti Park and ride from Domain carpark premier, professional deaf theatre com­ * SEYMOUR CENTRE (692 0555) (access from St Mary's Rd) pany. It consists of deaf and hearing ac­ A sel Cor Cleveland St and City Rd, tors who use a blend of sign language, tistic Chippendale voice, mime and gesture to produce a the tl Resident company: Nimrod Wheek:hair access rangi Auditoria: York, Everest and Downstairs As accommodation for wheelchairs is unique style of theatre. The company Licensed restaurant and bar limited at all above venues it is works mainly as a theatre-in-education Wheelchair access to Everest and essential that wheelchair space is team and each year performs to approxi­ Downstairs reserved at time of booking. mately 50,000 students in schools $2.00 service charge on phone credit card Assistance as needed can then be given bookings by the theatre to provide access to the throughout NSW. It has also visited Pay parking under Centre (access from auditorium. Tasmania, Victoria, the ACT and South Shepherd St) Australia. The company was established in 1979 under the auspices of the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust and receives financial support from the Theatre Board of the Australian Council and the office of the Minister for the Arts in New South Wales.

BOOKING INFORMATION Wed Apr 10 to Sat Apr 27 Tue to Sat at 8 p.m. Sat at 4 p.m. AETT $11.90, $10.00 (Apr II only) G.P. $13.90, Pens/stud $9.00 Two AETT tickets per member Ken Tr 3

u o ~D 's,~D &lD e Australian Ballet he Australian Ballet's 1985 season ~CIl opens in Sydney on March 15 with O~ ,~ perennially popular ballet COP­ Ou LlA. Dame Peggy van Praagh will z­I-< supervise the production. PELlA is the first of three programs presented by the Ballet in the next months. ramme Two includes VARIA­ ON A NURSERY THEME by RTACUS' creator Laszlo Sergei, will return to Australia to stage this ; Maurice Bejan's WEBERN OPUS IN THE NIGHT, Jerome Robbins' which has been exclusive to the York City Ballet and The Royal et; and David Lichine's infectious DUATION BALL.

zo

Walsh in COPPELlA, Act 2 me Three includes two works by great George Balanchine, RENADE and THE FOUR RAMENTS. The programme is pleted by a new specially commis­ work by Robert Ray. Titled THE AL BLOKE, it is a balletic n of the Australian literary classic.

lOOKING INFORMATION OPPELlA: March 15 to April 6 'rogramme Two: April 12 to May 2 )rogramme Three: May 8 to May 28 ;lon to Sat at 7:30 p.m. Sat at I :30 p.m. pera Theatre, Sydney Opera House ubscription inquiries on 357 1200 lingle performance purchases: I.ETT $33.00, G.P. $35.00 ; hild/ pens $25.00 'pecial Monday night concessions for hose under 26 years 'wo AETT tickets per member ETT discount unavailable at S.O.H. 2

Public Season by Theatre Of Deaf

MAN EQUALS MAN by Bertold Brech Directed by Ben Strout Set design by I10nka Craig Costume design by Imogene Hall Cast: Colin Allen, Carol Lee Aquiline, Kitcher, David London, David Pidd, ~ Ripley, Martha Rundell, Catherine Gillan Studio at the Wharf

he Theatre of the Deaf, T Australian Elizabethan The Trust's own in-house theatre comp~ will present Bertold Brecht's play M EQUALS MAN in the Sydney The Company's Studio Theatre at the W from April 10 to 27. It will be the c pany's first public season since WINTER'S TALE in 1981. The pro( tion of this extremely funny play by Theatre of the Deaf uses both music the exciting theatricality of simultane sign language and the spoken wore create an innovative theatre piece. MAN EQUALS MAN is set in dis Kilkoa (Nepal) where four Bri soldiers raid a temple for its riches all( the process, are forced to abandon on their number. Covering up their par the crime, the soldiers persuade a I porter, J. Galgei, to stand in for the rr ing soldier at roll call. Galgei little kn what he has let himself in for! The Theatre of the Deaf is Austral premier, professional deaf theatre c pany. It consists of deaf and hearing tors who use a blend of sign langu voice, mime and gesture to produo unique style of theatre. The comp works mainly as a theatre-in-educa team and each year performs to appr mately 50,000 students in sch( throughout NSW. It has also vis Tasmania, Victoria, the ACT and So Australia. The company was establis in 1979 under the auspices of Australian Elizabethan Theatre T and receives financial support from Theatre Board of the Australian Cou and the office of the Minister for the in New South Wales.

BOOKING INFORMATION Wed Apr 10 to Sat Apr 27 Tue to Sat at 8 p.m. Sat at 4 p.m. AETT $11.90, $10.00 (Apr I I only) G.P. $13.90, Pens/stud $9.00 Two AETT tickets per member I 3

Not Another Theatre Bernard Shaw Revival The Australian Ballet Company he Australian Ballet's 1985 seas~m opens in Sydney on March 15 wllh HEARTBREAK HOUSE by Bernard Shaw T Directed By Robyn Nevin the perennially popular ballet COP­ THE HEIRESS FROM PUNCHBOWL Designed by Stephen Curtis PELlA. Dame Peggy van Praagh will by Tony Harvey Cast: Tim Elioll, Jennifer Claire, Anna personally supervise the production. Directed by Malcolm Frawley Volska, Simon Chilvers, John Frawley, COPPELlA is the first of three programs Designed by Colin Ratcliff Robert Coleby, Rhys McConnochie, Joan to be presented by the Ballet in the next Cast: Richard Morgan and Tony Harvey Bruce, Victoria Longley and Norman Hodges. few months. Sydney Sailor's Home Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House Programme Two includes VARIA­ TIONS ON A NURSERY THEME by o, our heading isn't a comment on onceived in 1913 and composed in SPARTACUS' creator Laszlo Sergei, N the proliferation of new theatre C the middle years of World War I, who will return to Australia to stage this companies in Sydney but the actual name HEARTBREAK HOUSE clearly reflects work; Maurice Bejart's WEBERN OPUS of a new theatre company which is the historical circumstances in which it V; IN THE NIGHT, Jerome Robbins' presenting its first Sydney season. The was written. The play is concerned not ballet which has been exclusive to the company was formed in March 1983 to only with individual experience of heart­ New York City Ballet and The Royal produce new Australian drama and since break, of shattered illusions and rejection Ballet; and David Lichine's infectious then it has mounted 11 productions in love, but also with a larger social GRADUATION BALL. (mainly written by company members). malaise. The house, built in the shape of Their venue was a large garage in Cam­ a ship, becomes, as the play develops, a meray where they have been attracting in­ symbol of a society which has lost its creasingly large audiences. In June last direction and is in danger of foundering. year the company played at the Festival The occupants of the house are in­ of Australia Drama in Canberra and won telligent, witty, attractive and engagingly the prize for the best professional pro­ candid. But absorbed in private feelings duction of a new Australian play. They and leading 'faa/ish lives of romance and were subsequently invited to play at sentiment and snobbery', they are seen as Canberra's Playhouse Theatre. dangerously insulated from the realities of the world they inhabit. · With its forceful and vivid portrayal of a civilisa­ tion on the brink of possible extinction, the play retains, in the mid-1980s, a grim topicality. George Bernard Shaw was thirty-six when his first play WIDOWERS' HOUSES was produced in 1892. Thereafter his output as a playwright was prolific and by his death he had written Christine Walsh ill COPPELIA. Act 2 thirty full-length plays and another twen­ Programme Three includes two works by ty shorter works. The plays he wrote in the great George Balanchine, the 1890's won him a considerable SERENADE and THE FOUR following. But it was not until the early TEMPERAMENTS. The programme is years of the 20th century that Shaw completed by a new specially commis­ Tony Harvey in THE HEIRESS FROM PUNCHBOWL achieved his position as the outstanding sioned work by Robert Ray. Titled THE playwright of his day in England. In the SENTIMENTAL BLOKE, it is a balletic THE HEIRESS FROM PUNCHBOWL English professional theatre, his plays version of the Australian literary classic. is about a smalltime theatrical group (The continue to be performed more frequent­ Watson Bay Players) who face insolven­ ly than those of any other playwright, BOOKING INFORMA nON COPPELlA: March 15 to April 6 except Shakespeare. cy. They naively decide that the solution Programme Two: April 12 to May 2 to all their problems is to write their own Programme Three: May 8 to May 28 hit play. The result inevitably is chaos. Mon to Sal at 7:30 p.m. Sat at I :30 p.m. An unusual aspect of the production is BOOKING INFORMATION Opera Theatre, Sydney Opera House .that the two characters in the play, two Wed Feb 27 to Wed Apr 3 Subscription inquiries on 357 1200 middle-aged women, are played by young Mon to Sat at 8 p.m. Single performance purchases: men and yet the play is not a drag show. Sat at 2 p.m. AETT $33.00, G.P. $35.00 AETT $14.90 (Mon to Thur and Sat Mat) Child/pens $25.00 BOOKING INFORMATION G.P. $17.90 Special Monday night concessions for Stud/pens $10.90 (Mon to Thur and Sat Fri Mar I to Sun Mar 17 those under 26 years AETT discount $4.00 mat) Two AETT tickets per member Bookings on 273 274 Two AETT tickets per member AETT discount unavailable at S.O.H. 4

place in Australian politics in recent ferent; there will be rehearsals, a com­ American Play for times. pany, a joint project, lots of fun and Ensemble KING RICHARD is set in 1977 one week gossip. So that's what I set about doing. " before the State elections; Victoria's - Nell Dunn goals are in chaos and there are allega­ The result of British novelist Nell Dunn's IN THE SWEET BYE & BYE tions of corruption against the Premier. foray into playwrighting was STEAM­ by Donald Driver Sir Dundon secretly transfers prisoner ING, for which she was nominated most Directed by Brian Young leader "King Richard" from Pentridge to Designed by Brian Young promising playwright by the London Cast: Benita Collings, Barry Hill, Tony a presidential suite in order to win the Evening Standard and Plays and Players Korner, Caz Lederman, Beverley Phillips and election and save his reputation. Magazine. The play proved so popular Colin Taylor. when it opened in Sydney in September Ensemble Theatre BOOKING INFORMATION 1982 that it had two return seasons and Tue Mar 12 to Sun Apr 21 has since played in all mainland States. Wed to Fri at 8.15 p.m. pening at the Ensemble on March 9 As the title might suggest, STEAMING is O is IN THE SWEET BYE & BYE Sat at 5:30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. Sun at 5.30 p.m. set in a Turkish bath house in London's by American playwright Donald Driver East End. What might not be expected is whose awardwinning play STATUS AETT $11.00 G.P. $12.00 that the bath is very much on stage and QUO VADIS was presented at the Pens/Stud $8.00 the cast regularly take to the waters dur­ Ensemble in 1976. Two AETT tickets per member ing the action of the play! STEAMING is IN THE SWEET BYE & BYE is a warm about six women who meet regularly at and funny play about the problems of the bath house which is under threat of people who spend too much time living in Steaming Returns closure by the local Council. At first the the past. Set in the Oregon countryside women seem to be stock characters - the play and the characters are im­ STEAMING by Nell Dunn abrasive Cockney mum, retarded mediately identifiable in Australia. Directed by Rodney Fisher daughter, good hearted tart, educated Anyone who has lived in the bush, visited Designed by Shaun Gurton girl student, inhibited middle-class relatives in the bush, or even just passed Lighting by John Rayment housewife/mother. But gradually they through, will recognise and empathise Cast includes Amanda Muggleton, Gwen proceed frolJ1 taking off their clothes to with American bush counterparts. The Plumb, Genevieve Lemon and Maggie King dismantling their marriages and sexual play buzzes with life, love and humour. York Theatre, Seymour Centre fantasies, their class prejudices and their 'A bout four years ago I was suffering innermost ideas of who they are, often in BOOKING INFORMATION from one of those particularly flat words a lady is not supposed to know. Sat Mar 9 to Sat Apr 6 aimless times of life. I wanted a change Mon to Sat at 8 p.m. BOOKING INFORMATION Sat at 5 p.m. after 15 years of writing books and, perhaps most drastic, my youngest child Thur Apr lIto Sat May II AETT $8.00 (Mon to Thur and Sat mat) Tue to Sat at 8 p.m. G.P. $10.00 (Mon to Thur and Sat mat) was about to leave home. Matinees to be confirmed $14.50 (Fri and Sat) I left school at 14 and got married young. AETT $16.90, $14.90 (Apr 16 and 17) Pens/Stud $6.00 (Mon to Thur and Sat I had virtually no education and never G.P. $18.90 (Mon to Thurs & Mats) mat) had a permanent job . . . I couldn't $19.90 (Fri and Sat) Two AETT tickets per member decide what I could do out there in the Pens/Stud $12.90 (Mon to Thur and big wide world with so little experience. If Mats) I write a play, I thought, it will be dif- Two AETT tickets per member Steve Spears Play for Griffin

KING RICHARD by Steve J. Spears Directed by Egi/ Kipste Designed by John Senczuk Cast: Michael Beecher, Terry Brady, Laura Gabriel, Steve Leeder, David Lynch, Pam Morrisey and Joe Petruzzi Stables Theatre

he second production by Griffin T Theatre Company for 1985 is Steve 1. Spears' prophetic satire KING RICHARD which is being reworked by the playwright especially for this produc­ tion. Originally written as a fiction the play predicts the dramas that have taken 5

Children's Matinees

DIRTY RASCALS devised by Leeds Playhouse Theatre in Education Company Directed by Nici Wood DANCING IN THE STREET by David Holman Directed by David Young Sydney Sailors' Home

he good news from the Sydney T Sailors' Home is that there'll be children's matinees presented there each Saturday afternoon and, for those who want it, there'll also be catering for birth­ day parties. A number of different com­ panies will be involved in the programme and during March it will be Toe Truck Glen Perry, James Parler and Joanna Lambe in DIRTY RASCALS Theatre, one of Australia's leading On March 23 and 30 Toe Truck will pre- r------. theatre companies for young people. On sent DANCING IN THE STREET. It is BOOKING INFORMATION March 2, 9 and 16 at 2 p.m. Toe Truck about a group of breakdancing DIRTY RASCALS - Sat Mar 2,9 and will present DIRTY RASCALS, a youngsters and their discovery of a pair 16 at 2 p.m. DANCING IN THE STREETS - Sat delightful, witty and optimistic play of once famous but now forgotten Mar 23 and 30 at 2 p.m. Fri Mar 22 and about three seven-year-olds who meet, dancers from a bygone era. The play is 29 at 8 p.m. Sun Mar 24 at 4 p.m. play, fight, and eventually form a gang. recommended for Primary students No AETT concession The play is suitable for Primary students Years 5 and 6 and Secondary students Bookings on 273 274 Years 2-4. Years 7 and 8.

playing since August 1983, and in San BOOKING INFORMATION Poppie Nongena Francisco. The reason for its success is Footbridge Theatre Tue Mar 12 to Sat Mar 23 not hard to find. According to the New York Times, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES he internationally acclaimed anti­ Mon to Sat at 8 p.m. Sat at 2.15 p.m. "is an extravagantly produced, old­ apartheid play POPPlE NON GENA T AETT $13.90 fashioned family musical, containing will be presented by The Australian G.P. $16.90 likeable characters . .. a sentimental lo ve Elizabethan Theatre Trust in association Pens/stud $10.90 (Mon to Thur and story, sumptuous sets and costumes - with The Festival of Perth, at the Foot­ mats) and that rarity, new songs that can be bridge Theatre, Sydney, for a two week Two AETT tickets per member hummed on the way home. " season, commencing March 12, 1985. Member bookings first offered T.N. Feb 85 POPPlE NONGENA is an intensely BOOKING INFORMATION moving musical play which traces the life Her Majesty's Theatre Commences March 2 of a coloured servant of white South La Cage Aux Folles Mon to Sat at 8 p.m. African masters, from her carefree youth Wed and Sat at 2 p.m. K eith Michell and Jon Ewing star in to a shattered middle-age. Based on the AETT $22.00 (Mon to Thur until end novel by South African author Elsa the Tony Award winning Broadway Mar) $17.00 (Wed mat until end Mar) Joubert and described by the critic of The musical LA CAGE AUX FOLLES which G.P. $25.00 (Mon to Thur) $27.00 (Fri Guardian newspaper as one of the most opens at Her Majesty's Theatre on and Sat) $20.00 (mats) impressive pieces of drama to emerge March 2. The musical written by Harvey Two AETT tickets per member from South Africa in the past decade, Fierstein, is based on the same Jean As bookings in March are heavy, this production has taken London and Poiret farce as the highly successful film Members requiring prime seats are advised to book in April at G.P. price. New York by storm, collecting a number of the same name. Member bookings first offered of awards, including the prestigious Obie The show, too, has been a popular suc­ T.N. Nov 84 (for Outstanding Musical Performance). cess both in New York, where it has been 6 -Std-'-fil------1tI The Second Stage by Pamela Heckenberg

The second in a series of articles on the development of theatre in Australia and the role of the actor-managers.

hen Barnett Levey's company made who, by shouting, shrieking and A year after Anne Clarke had begun in W its grand entrance onto the Sydney whistling, acted in concert with the management she was evidently sufficient­ stage on December 26, 1832, it generated gentleman in the boxes, who was ly confident of the continuing success of excitement, enthusiasm and confidence endeavouring with his stick to smash her theatre to set out for England to that reverberated far beyond the ornate the panels of the place honoured by his engage new actors and singers. She was, walls of his Saloon Theatre Royal. In presence. The first, and about twenty in fact, one of the earliest actor-managers other colonies, suitable spaces were others, smoked their pipes, and kicked to import performers. She did s'o, likewise converted to accommodate con­ up a row in the pit, looking up to those however, because the colonial theatre was certs and plays, and even before the gold for that approval, which was of course still so very young that there was a real rush of the 1850s many of these had been freely and uproariously awarded ... dearth of competent local artists and she superseded by properly fitted-up and But enough: we pass on to the next was not attempting, as were the majority elaborately decorated theatres. evening when there were not so many of later actor-managers, to employ The men and women who leased these gentlemen present . . . We are inform­ overseas performers at the expense of theatres were almost always actor­ ed that every evening since, the those already working here. She returned managers in the traditional English Theatre has improved, and certainly with a company that included Jerome mold - that is, they not only hired the the performances of Mrs Clarke, Mr Carindini, Theodesia Stirling (who was to actors, decided the repertoire, mounted Capper, Mr Jordan, and of Mr and become the mother of Nellie Stewart, the the production, organised front of house, Mrs Harold on Tuesday night, are well first locally born star of the Australian and secured publicity, but they also per­ deserving of praise and encourage­ stage) and Emma, Clelia, John and formed, often in a central role. Perhaps ment. Frank Howson - all actors who were to one of the most interesting actor­ (March 20, 1840) make a considerable contribution to the managers, and the first colonial woman Certainly, colonial newspapers abound colonial theatre. By July 1842, Anne to work in that capacity, was Mrs Anne with descriptions of the uncouth Clarke was again working with her own Clarke of Hobart. She had been a behaviour of local audiences. Unless, company in the substantially renovated member of Sampson and Cordelia however, such behaviour is seen in the Theatre Royal which, in loyal recognition Cameron's original Hobart company broader context of nineteenth-century of the new Queen, had been renamed the and, as well, had directed her own British theatre, these descriptions can be Royal Victoria. amateur productions. On March 16, misleading. It is not that our colonial au­ Anne Clarke certainly seems to have 1840, in partnership with a Mr Capper, diences were not riotous and offensive struggled (there were for example reports she opened with her own company in but that they were in fact no more riotous of benefit nights having to be brought Hobart's Theatre Royal. Although Mr and offensive than many contemporary forward in the season) but she never­ Capper stayed only briefly in the partner­ English audiences. In 1826 a visitor to theless survived. Her company played ship, Anne Clarke continued to entertain London wrote, opera, melodrama and Shakespeare and the audiences, not only of Hobart but The most striking thing to a foreigner as well presented promenade concerts in also of Launceston, until the middle of in English theatres is the unheard-of an attempt to woo those members of 1847. The TASMANIAN DISPATCH coarseness and brutality of the Hobart's society who did not patronise WEEKL Y's report of those first audiences. English freedom here the drama. But in mid-1847 Anne Clarke, performances provides a vivid picture of degenerates into the rudest licence, complaining that a visiting entrepreneur colonial audiences and an interesting and it is not uncommon in the midst of had "in a very dishonest manner" lured impression of colonial critics, the most affecting part of a tragedy most of her company away, retired from Mrs Clarke was the great attraction of . . . to hear some coarse expression the theatre. Her career had been short; the evening, and we are happy to see shouted from the galleries in a stentor but it had been significant. She was not her looking so well, and to hear her in voice. This is followed, according to only the first of the many women who such excellent voice. A criticism of the the taste of the bystanders, either by controlled their own theatre companies in performance would be as ungenerous loud laughter and approbation, or by this country but she also had made an im­ as was the treatment the performers the castigation and expulsion of the portant contribution to early colonial received from the audience, patronised offender . .. Such things happen not theatre. by gentlemen in the boxes who would once but sometimes twenty times in The visiting entrepreneur about whom have been kicked out from any other the course of a performance, and Anne Clarke had complained so bitterly place of amusement but from one in a amuse many of the audience more was George Seith Coppin. When he penal settlement . .. It was a scene to than that does. arrived in Sydney on March 10, 1843, he astonish even the New Zealanders in But nevertheless it was not easy to be an was just twenty-four years old and had the pit. Near them sat one vagabond actor in colonial Australia. already had seventeen years experience in 7

the English provincial theatre - much of Amphitheatre Company, the Continental it in his family's company of strolling Hotel Company, the Purveyor's Associa­ players. A talented low comedian, Cop­ tion, and the Sorrento Steam Navigation pin performed occasional Australian Company. seasons but his major influence was as an George Coppin was the most active and importer of overseas' actors and as a successful entrepreneur of the Australian builder of theatres. He was in fact much theatre in the mid-nineteenth century. more an actor-entrepreneur than an For this he should be applauded. It can, actor-manager because, although he however, be argued that his practice of sometimes shared the bill with his promoting his imported stars in their im­ imported stars, he tended to perform in ported repertoires was of significant his own stock plays. These were usually detriment to the development of local comic afterpieces and quite separate from actors and local playwrights. It is the main piece, which was always the somewhat ironic then that Coppin was to vehicle for the visiting star. By 1856, at be displaced as the most dominant figure what was probably the peak of his long in the Australian theatre by one of his career (he was still a director of the own imported actors. In the letter that he Melbourne Theatre Royal when he died received from hi s American agent, An­ in 1906), Coppin controlled four drew Birrell, stating that the two per­ Melbourne theatres. The Olympic, formers about to embark for Australia always affectionally known as the Iron were "young, handsome, sober (and) Pot, which had been prefabricated in sing and dance good" there was nothing Manchester and shipped out, was opened to suggest the enormous impact that these officially on July 30, 1855 with a pro­ two performers would have on logue spoken by one of the greatest of Australia's audiences and the legendary Coppin's imported stars - G. V. position that one of them would occupy George Coppin in H. J. ByrQn 's comedy NOT Brooke. SUCH A FOOL AS HE LOOKS in his farewell in the chronicles of our stage. They were performance at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne, James Cassius Williamson and Maggie on September 5, 1901. Photo courtesy The Latrobe In February 1856, Coppin took over Moore and when they opened in Collection, State Library of Victoria Astley's Amphitheatre, carried out exten­ STRUCK OIL at the Melbourne Theatre Poster courtesy The Latrobe Co//ecliol7 , State sive renovations which included the in­ Royal on August I, 1874, they introduced Library of Victoria stallation of gas, and renamed it the an important new chapter in the history Royal Amphitheatre; in June of the same of the Australian theatre. year he took over the lease of COPPIN'S OLYMPIC. Melbourne's Theatre Royal and by OI'E7' EVERY NIGHT. SE LECT BIBLIOG RAPHY September he had opened hi s Cremorne Bagot, Alec, COPPIN THE GREAT. Melbourne Pleasure Gardens which included a Uni versit y Press, 1965 . theatre as well as numerous other attrac­ Dicker, lan, J .C.W., A SHORT BIOG RAPHY OF tions. Much later, in 1862, Coppin built JAM ES CASS IUS WILLIAMSON. The Eli zabeth Tudor Press, N .S. W. 1974. the grand new Royal Haymarket Theatre Irvin, Eri c, THEATRE COMES TO AUSTRALI A. and Opollo Music Hall high on the hill of University of Queensland Press, 197 1. Bourke Street, Melbourne. But by that Leech, C. and Craik , C. W ., gen. eds., 1750-1880, time his Olympic had been converted to a Volu me VI o f THE REVELS HISTORY OF " Turkish, medicated, and swimming DRAMA IN ENGLI SH . Methuen: Lond on, 1975. Love, Harold, ed ., THE AUSTRALIAN STAGE: baths", and he no longer had control of A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY. New South the Royal Amphitheatre which had been Wales Universit y Press, 1984. renamed the Princess. Oppen heim , Helen, COLONIAL THEATRE, THE RI SE OF THE LEGITIMATE STAGE IN A USTRALIA , 1824 - 18 4 7 . Unpubl is h e d Coppin's activity was by no means con­ manuscript , Mi tchell Library, Sydney . fined to the theatre - he was a member West, John , THEATRE IN AUSTRALIA. Cassell , Australi a, 1978 . of the Victorian parliament, first in the Legislative Council and later in the Pamela Heckenberg is a tutor in the Legislative Assembly; he became the first School of Drama, University of New Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge of South Wales . Her major research areas Victoria; he founded the Old Colonists' are: Australian Theatre up to 1950; con­ Association of Victoria; he operated a temporary Australian playwrighting; and copyright agency; he introduced camels, women in the Australian Theatre. She is the English Thrush, Turkish baths and one o f eleven contributors to the recently roller skates to Australia, and he was published: H arold Love, ed. , The Australian Stage: A Documentary chairman of various companies and History, U .N.S.W. Press, 1984. associations, including the Ocean 8 ofI~,,,.s -~------l!I

PLACES IN THE HEART directed by tering himself in order to be more accep­ Robert Benton table to whites. "Part of the problem that Written by Robert Benton we faced as black people, " says Caesar, Produced by Arlene Donovan "is that historically we believed that we Starring Sally Field, Danny Glover, John could not move forward unless we Malkovich, Lindsay Crouse, Amy Madigan became like white people. What I wanted and Ed Harris. to convey in A SOLDIER'S STaR Y was Now playing at Hoyts Centre that it doesn't have to be so. We will move forward if we have something to LACES IN THE HEART is set in the contribute. " A SOLDIER'S STORY has P 1930s in a small town in Texas, Helen Mirren and John Lynch in been nominated as Best Film in the where four generations of director CAL Academy Awards. Robert Benton's family have lived. It is the straight-jacket imposed by his up­ the story of Edna Spalding's struggle to bringing and his environment. ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS keep her family together in spite of enor­ mous hardships following the death of The casting of the seventeen-year-old Cal Judy Davis has been nominated as Best her husband. Robert Benton has sought, was not an easy task for the producers, as Actress in the 57th Academy Awards for through a rich accumulation of detail, to inevitably his age meant that the actor her role in the film of E. M. Forster's recreate the tone and texture of life in this would almost certainly be extremely classic Novel A PASSAGE TO INDIA. region during the 30's. PLACES IN THE inexperienced, yet the choice was vital to She is competing with Sally Field HEART is full of the people he the success of the film. The search ended (PLACES IN THE HEART), Jessica remembers and the stories he heard as a with John Lynch, an Irish second-year Lange (COUNTRY), Sissy Spacek (THE child. As the film unfolds, it is the student at the Central School of Drama RIVER) and Vanessa Redgrave (THE qualities instilled in these people, their in London. His co-star is the leading BOSTONIANS). British actress Helen Mirren who plays an faith, patience and ultimate ability to Nominations for Best Actor went to F. Italian Catholic widow with whom Cal forgive, that give them their simple Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce becomes involved. Other roles in the film dignity and indomitable strength. (AMADEUS), Albert Finney (UNDER are played by distinguished actors from THE VOLCANO), Sam Waters ton the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, including (THE KILLING FIELDS) and Jeff Donal McCann. Bridges (STARMAN). The five films nominated for Best Picture A SOLDIER'S STORY directed by are A PASSAGE TO INDIA, Norman Jewison AMADEUS, THE KILLING FIELDS, Screenplay by Charles Fuller Produced by Charles Schultz PLACES IN THE HEART and A Starring Howard E. Rollins, Jr. and Adolph SOLDIER'S STORY. Caesar Hoyts Centre opening March 7 BOOKING INFORMATION SOLDIER'S STORY, adapted from Lindsay Crouse and Sally Field in PLACES IN A the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, A THE HEART Concessional vouchers can be pur­ SOLDIER'S PLAY by Charl~s Fuller, is chased from the AETT and exchang­ set in America in 1944 near the end of PLACES IN THE HEART has received ed at Hoyts, Greater Union and World War II. Captain Richard Daven­ 8 Academy Award nominations - in­ Village cinemas for tickets. The port (played by Howard E. Rollins Jnr.), cluding Best Picture, Best Actress (Sally vouchers are open dated but some a polished, black, Howard University­ Field), Best Supporting Actor (John Saturday/Public Holiday restrictions trained military attorney, is sent by the Malkovich), Best Supporting Actress apply to their use. See vouchers for (Lindsay Crouse), Best Original Department of the Army to Louisiana to details. Screenplay and Best Director. investigate the murder of a black soldier, Sergeant Waters. As Davenport unravels G.U. $5.50 ($1 saving), Hoyts $5.00 the circumstances surrounding Waters' ($1.50 saving), Village $5.00 ($1.50 CAL directed by Pat O'Connor death, the stories of the soldiers he speaks saving). Please note, no handling fee Screenplay by Bernard McLaverlY with reveal the changing social attitudes, applies to film vouchers and Produced by David Putlnam both black and white, of the time. members may purchase as many as Starring Helen Mirren , John Lynch and Donal they wish. McCann Adolph Caesar, who has been nominated Village Double Bay opening March 7 as best supporting actor in the Academy Discounts are also offered at the Awards, re-creates his stage role of Dendy Cinema, Martin Place new film by the producer of Sergeant Waters, for which he won both ($1.00), and the Academy Twin, A CHARIOTS OF FIRE, David an Obie and a New York Drama Desk Padding ton ($2.50), at all perfor­ Puttnam, CAL is set in Northern Ireland A ward as Best Supporting Actor in the mances except after midday Satur­ against the bleak background of the con­ original Negro Ensemble Company pro­ day. Members should present their tlict there. It is the story of a young duction. As told in flashback, Waters is membership card at the box office. Catholic and his attempts to break out of revealed to be a man obsessed with bet- - 9

THEATRE SOUTH's first play for 1985 he first programme in THEATRE As an actor John Derum has worked with will be researched, written and staged in T ACT's 1985 programme is A HAND­ almost all the major theatre companies in the NSW South Coast town of Eden. FULL OF FRIENDS by David William­ Australia, including Theatre A.C.T. for Tentatively titled THE EDEN PRO­ son and directed by Chris Johnson. The whom he also directed THE ZOO JECT, the play will be researched and play opens on March 4 and runs for three STORY as part of the 1984 Briefs season. written by Katherine Thomson and weeks at the Playhouse Theatre. Also in directed by Des Davis. It will centre on March, John Derum, Theatre ACT's new Two works which have been seen in Eden, its past and present. Opening in artistic director, takes up residence in workshop performance will form part of mid-March in Eden, it will tour the South Canberra. HUMAN VEINS DANCE THEATRE's Coast before playing at Theatre South's Since 1973 John has directed his own programme at the ANU Arts Centre, home base in Wollongong. theatre company which produced and Canberra, from March 7th to 16th. IL­ Newcastle's professional theatre com­ toured nearly 300 performances of LUSIONS by Don Asker and CAGED pany, the HUNTER VALLEY MORE THAN A SENTIMENTAL WHISPERS by Peter Sperlich are both THEATRE COMPANY, opens its 1985 BLOKE and the concert series PIAF. dramatic works. CAGED WHISPERS season with a play which was voted best looks at relationships through the eyes of new play 1984 by The Sydney Morning a retarded person. The March season is Herald when it was presented by the first of three planned for the Arts Sydney's Griffin Theatre last year. US Centre during 1985. The company will OR THEM by Ned Manning is a moving also continue their Sunday studio perfor­ play about the subtle and sometimes not mances at Gorman House throughout the so subtle interplay of power between year. The second of these takes place on students and teachers and between junior March 31. and senior teachers at a high school. It will be directed by Alan Becher and play AETT discount all performances $1.00 at the Playhouse between March 13 and See local press for booking information April 4. john Derul11

roadway has finally gotten underway Bruce Graham, is distinguished by a retarded ... the enormity of their B for the 1984-85 season. MA bravura performance by always wonder­ achievement is clear. RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM by ful character actor Eddie Jones. Further Off-Broadway, again, we have Lanford August Wilson, directed by Lloyd Off-Broadway, in fact in New Haven, Wilson's BALM IN GILEAD, directed Richards, offers some of the best acting Connecticut, is A LITTLE LIKE by new acting sensation John Malkivich. in town. Charles S. Dutton, as the MAGIC by The Famous People Players. It is an atmosphere looking for a play. trumpet player with his own vision is spell It's an enchanting show. I guess it's a All of the technical sleight of hand, binding and the ensemble playing of the kind of revue specialising in "black sound overlays, dazzling lighting effects, entire cast is wonderful to watch. If Mr. light" techniques, where lifesized fluores­ freeze frame and blackout techniques Richards had paid as much attention to cent puppets and props are manipulated can't cover the fact that there is no play his plot line as he did to the character under the illumination of ultra violet light here. I still want something I can care nuances perhaps the play might have with incredible results. The black-cloaked about, feel for, be moved by, and this been fully satisfying. No matter, it's a performers present their impressions of one only succeeded in moving me out of play well worth seeing. such varied subjects as Liberace, Super­ the theatre, which as a point of interest is man, James Bond, Elvis and a most ex­ Off Broadway's newest, The Minetta THE KING AND I, Rogers and Ham­ citing version of Scherazade. The style, Lane, a real beauty. merstein's classic, has returned to Broad­ the imagination, the enormous way for Yul Brynner's "farewell" ap­ theatricality of this group's work makes pearance. If one hasn't seen it, although one laugh, cry and cheer their efforts. Irvin S. Bauer is a Playwright­ this production is a bit tired, the songs This is not a children's show. It crosses Producer based in New York where are hummable, the story still holds up all boundaries. At the end when the he heads THE DEVELOPMENT and 01 Yul is every inch the undisputed unhooded young people, 14 in all out of STAGE, a place where the Writer is and forever King of Siam. It's fun. Toronto, Canada, step forward to take encouraged to fulfil the potential of their well-earned bows and one realises his work. Off-Broadway, BURKlE, a small play by that most of the performers are mentally 10 ~_~~_i_~______~

was considered to be one of the best plays Sandinista! Pack Of Lies ever written. Phillips Street's revival will he New Theatre's first production for udi Farr and Ron Graham star in the be directed by Peter Williams and will in­ T 1985, SANDINISTA!, is about the J British play PACK OF LIES by Hugh clude actress sisters Carol and Rainee way the revolution in Nicaragua happen­ Whitemore which opened at Marian St. Skinner in the roles originally played by ed and why. With the action concen­ Theatre in mid-February. Based on the Carol Skinner and Jackie Weaver. trating on one Sandinista group, the play Gordon Lonsdale/ Krogers spy scandal of BOOKING INFORMATION unravels the emotional and intellectual 1960, PACK OF LIES tells the story of a Mon to Fri at 11 a.m. I impulses that create a revolutionary and suburban family household, the Wed, Fri and Sat at 8 p.m. shows the strengths ordinary people are Jacksons, whose quiet, respectable life is AETT discount $3.00 able to call up for a greater good. Its disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious Bookings on 232 8570 band of revolutionaries are a strong but visitor. The family is plunged into a humanly frail group of people whose world of espionage and betrayal where Shorts Continues lives, like those of their compatriots are secret observers are hidden behind lace coloured by poetry and song. SAN­ curtains. The visitor has a devastating ef­ he Sydney Theatre Company's in­ DINISTA! also has a good deal to say fect on the lives of the Jacksons and this T augural season of SHORTS at its new about the nature of revolutions and is where the main interest of the play lies. Wharf Theatre continues into March and about the United States' assumption of Other cast members include Barry will include two new plays. A JUBILEE its right to act in the affairs of its small Creyton and Elaine Lee. The production by Anton Chekkhov was written at the Central American neighbours. It is a pas­ is directed by John Krummel. beginning of his career as a writer in 1981 sionate and compelling play that makes and is a one act farce adapted from his its points without shaking a fist. BOOKING INFORMATION short story, "Defenceless Creature". Tue to Sat at 8:15 p.m. THE MARGARINE CONSPIRACY by The play was devised and workshopped Sat and Sun at 5 p.m. Lissa Benyon is a light-hearted look at by the Great Canadian Theatre Company Wed-mat at 11 a.m. the relationships between three people based in Ottawa and the New Theatre's AETT discount $1.00 during one long, hot summer. Lissa Bookings on 498 3166 production is its Australian premiere. Benyon was a founding member of Fools The New's sister company, Melbourne's Gallery Theatre Company in Canberra New Theatre will produce SAN­ The Removalists and wrote WOMEN OF MARCH FIRST DINISTA! later this year. for Nimrod Downstairs. BOOKING INFORMATION hillip Street Theatre's first produc­ BOOKING INFORMATION Until March 3 P tion for 1985, the David Williamson The Wharf Theatre until March 22 Fri and Sat at 8: 15 p.m. play THE REMOV ALISTS, has just Mon to Sat at 8 p.m. Sun at 5:30 p.m. opened. Written in 1971 the play exposed Sat at 4 p.m. AETT discount $1.00 for the first time on stage the bottled up AETT concession $1.00 Bookings on 519 3403 aggression within Australian society and Bookings on 250 1777

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WHARF THEATRE INSPECTION Sydney Harbour. The company's general there will be the opportunity to see dif­ Thur March 21 at 11 a.m. manager, Donald McDonald, will tell us ferent varieties of sheep and sheep dogs Pier 4 Walsh Bay something of the Wharf's development working. The afternoon will be spent The Sydney Theatre Company's new and the company's plans for its use. visiting Riversdale, a National Trust Wharf Theatre is one of the more in­ Tickets are $10 each and members are house which is furnished in the early col­ teresting theatrical venues to be opened in very welcome to bring friends along. It onial style. Dinner will be at the Fireside Sydney in recent times. Not only does it should be a fascinating morning. Inn, Goulburn. have an intimate theatre for the com­ On Sunday the tour will explore the town pany's more innovative work but it also of Braidwood and Bedervale Colonial provides a home for all those activities in­ GOULBURN AND BRAIDWOOD Homestead designed by the well-known volved in getting a play on stage - TOUR architect, John Verge. Bedervale, which rehearsal, set building, costume making. Sat Mar 16 and Sun Mar 17 is a working property, has remained in The tour of inspection arranged by the Join Sydney Members Committee Presi­ the same family for over 100 years. Cost Sydney Members Committee will include dent Shirley Hay for a weekend in the for the tour is $150 which includes bus all these areas of the building and then country touring the Goulburn­ transport, all meals, twin share accom­ culminate in a basket luncheon in the Braidwood district. Saturday lunch will modation (single supplement $15) and all Theatre's magnificent foyer overlooking be a barbecue at Pelican Station where entries. Great Performances.

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