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Home , Born Yesterday (play), Christie Whelan Browne, Diesel (musician), Garson Kanin, Heidi Arena, Ian Moss

by Welcome THEATRE PRESENTS

Welcome to Melbourne Theatre Company’s first production for 2017, . With any revival of a classic, even a 20th century classic, we need to be mindful of the times in which we are presenting it. And a more timely revival of Garson Kanin’s 1946 masterpiece would be hard to imagine. This glamorous, funny but also darkly probing work explores the corruptions and machinations which can ferment when power is put in the wrong hands. In this case it’s the hands of a bullying businessman who winds up in by Garson Kanin Washington DC with the aim of manipulating politics for his own gain. To re-ignite this marvellous play, which had one of the longest runs in Broadway history, MTC Associate Director Dean Bryant has assembled a dream creative team. Dale Ferguson’s 14 JANUARY – 25 FEBRUARY lavish set and costume designs, lit with finesse by Matt Scott, coupled with Mathew Frank’s electric composition and a sensational cast, make this production a thrilling night at the Southbank Theatre theatre, and an interesting coda to America’s brutal presidential election last year. The Sumner And to continue into 2017 we have an outstanding program of theatre lined up. In our Southbank Theatre and Arts Centre Melbourne venues there’s John from Pulitzer-Prize Cast Production winner Annie Baker; Shakespeare’s ultimate tragedy Macbeth, directed by MTC veteran Mrs Hedges / Helen / Manicurist Director Dean Bryant Simon Phillips; a comedy which many consider to be the funniest play ever written, Noises Ed Devery Tyler Coppin Set & Costume Designer Dale Ferguson Off; and a range of premieres from some of ’s most exciting playwrights including Harry Brock Lighting Designer Matt Scott Lally Katz, Joanna Murray-Smith and . Eddie Brock Chris Fortuna Composer & Sound Designer Mathew Frank We’re promising a wonderful year of theatre and all of us here at MTC are delighted Bellhop / Bootblack / Waiter Josh Gates Voice & Dialect Coach Leith McPherson you’ve joined us for the ride. Paul Verrall Choreographer Andrew Hallsworth Senator Norval Hedges / Assistant Manager / Fight Choreographer Felicity Steel Barber Richard Piper Stage Manager Julia Smith Billie Dawn Christie Whelan Browne Assistant Stage Manager Meg Richardson Our new show programmes Rehearsal Photographer Deryk McAlpin Brett Sheehy aocan be purchased at Production Photographer Jeff Busby Artistic Director the theatre for $2 or downloaded for free at mtc.com.au/backstage About the Play World War II has just ended and junkyard tycoon Harry Brock is settling into his swank hotel in Washington DC, ready to grease the palms of crooked US Senators. He’s set to win over Congress, Melbourne Theatre Company acknowledges the Yalukit Willam of the Boon Wurrung, the Traditional but soon realises his girlfriend, Billie Dawn, may not fit in with the socially and politically elite. Owners of the land on which Southbank Theatre and MTC HQ stand, and we pay our respects to Enter Paul Verrall, a charming young reporter who is hired as Billie’s tutor. As the lessons begin, Melbourne’s First People, to their ancestors past and present, and to our shared future. so does a burgeoning romance and a plot to foil Harry’s dodgy dealings.

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 Media Partner Arts Group.

Born Yesterday is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. Joel Jackson and Christie Whelan Browne; Born on Broadway (opposite) Garson Kanin

From stage to screen, Garson Kanin’s Born Yesterday has entertained audiences for over seventy years.

Garson Kanin’s comic masterpiece When ’s film version was Born Yesterday endured one of the most released in 1950, also starring Holliday, celebrated runs on Broadway to date. most reviews applauded Kanin’s original It was an instant critical and commercial vision, which critiqued the foundations success with The Billboard newspaper of commonplace politics at Capitol Hill. reporting at the time: ‘Born Yesterday Its social commentary and detailed looks to tenant the Lyceum as long as it intonations won the film six Academy Award directing career was gaining momentum ‘The best part of one’s life is the wants to stay there.’ nominations including an Oscar for Judy at legendary Hollywood Studio RKO, until working part, the creative part. Believe And ‘stay there’ it did. Opening in early Holliday as best actress; a welcome reward he was suddenly enlisted into the Army 1946, the show ran for 1,642 performances, after three years of portraying the character Signal Corps. He was then transferred to me, I love to succeed … However, before the curtain closed for the final time on stage. Washington DC and then to London, where the real spiritual and emotional four years later. The New York Times described the he participated in the production of excitement is in the doing. ‘ Kanin’s magnum opus has since received screen appearance as: ‘A priceless propaganda war films. two major Broadway revivals and two film performance ... [a] beautifully integrated It was during the bombing blitz over Garson Kanin adaptations. compound of character study and farce.’ London in 1941, in a hotel room with his first played the loveable Born Yesterday was, for the most part, first wife (Broadway star ) plays he was passionate about. In 1964, and determined character of Billie Dawn; accepted as a comedy with a good dose that Kanin penned his first draft of Kanin would direct up-and-coming actor a role which catapulted her from stage of glamour to echo the era. However, Born Yesterday. in her breakout role as to silver screen soon after the original Kanin’s portrayal of corruption in Congress Kanin went on to create many other Fanny Brice in Funny Girl. production closed. Holliday’s portrayal of was also considered brazen and scathing. great works, including three more Broadway In 1985, Kanin wrote and directed his Billie cemented her reputation as one of His social critiques of the time landed both plays – The Smile of the World, The Rat last play, Peccadillo, and was inducted into America’s favourite character actors and himself and lead star Holliday in hot water Race, and The Live Wire. In the decades America’s Theatre Hall of Fame. established her as a household name. during Senator McCarthy’s Red Scare that followed he wrote dozens of popular Like the character she morphs into investigations. short stories and screenplays (some of being, Kanin remembers Holliday as The impetus for Kanin’s criticism of which he co-wrote with his wife such as Go online to read more about the embodying a ‘tremendously rare Washington DC was never made crystal A Double Life), and six novels. However, political climate of Washington DC combination of intellect and instinct ... a clear, however his participation in WWII had his love for the theatre remained and he in the late 40s.

girl of principle, and of deep social feeling.’ an unquestionable impact. In 1941, Kanin’s BERNARD GOTFRYD/GETTY BY PHOTO IMAGES returned repeatedly to direct and produce mtc.com.au/backstage From the Director

Director of Born Yesterday and MTC Associate Director Dean Bryant reveals his inspirations and apprehensions behind directing the first show of the season.

When Brett and I were talking about a to our duty as citizens in a democracy. We bright, dazzling comedy to kick-start 2017, have to speak up and hold to account those I threw Born Yesterday into the ring as a who claim to represent us. To read a play chance to see a brilliant female actor tackle written seventy years ago with ideas as hot this Joan of Arc of comedic roles. When we as those in the op-ed pages now is programmed it, I thought it’d be a timely riff incredible. To channel them through the on the state of the world – set in the heart beauty that is Billie’s brain, is art. of politics, Washington DC, it concerns a The role of Billie is such a gift for a woman who takes the power from the male gorgeous, funny actor. Christie Whelan (Clockwise from top) Tyler Coppin, bullies surrounding her. A perfect choice Browne has always been that actor for me. Heidi Arena, Russell Dykstra and Richard with Hillary Clinton as leader of the free Like Goldie Hawn, , and the Piper; Chris Fortuna; Russell Dykstra. (Opposite) Stage Manager Julia Smith, world, right? What a difference a few original Billie Dawn, one-of-a-kind Judy Director Dean Bryant, Assistant Stage Manager months makes. When Trump got elected, Holliday, Christie is funny, smart and full Meg Richardson (obscured) and Composer & Sound Designer Mathew Frank. I despaired – for the state of the world, of heart – just like the play itself. civilised discourse, and that most selfish of It’s been a treat to spend the festive reasons – will my production still work?! season rehearsing with Christie and her So I read the script again. And it moved equally charming castmates. me, much more strongly than before. The journey that Billie Dawn goes on – from uninformed ex-showgirl with no voice of her Hear more from Dean Bryant at own, to a canny, powerful strategist – speaks mtc.com.au/backstage Cast & Creative Team

HEIDI ARENA TYLER COPPIN RUSSELL DYKSTRA Mrs Hedges / Helen / Ed Devery Harry Brock Manicurist

Heidi Arena has appeared for Tyler Coppin has appeared at Russell Dykstra has had a Melbourne Theatre Company Melbourne Theatre Company successful career in film, in The Other Place, The Drowsy in His Girl Friday, A Behanding television and theatre spanning Chaperone and August: Osage in Spokane, Ruby Moon (MTC over 20 years. He made his County. A graduate of NIDA in Education), and The 25th Annual feature film debut in the critically 2001, her other stage credits Putnam County Spelling Bee acclaimed Soft Fruit, for which he include All My Sons (Ensemble (Helpmann Award for Best received an AFI Award for Best Theatre), The Taming of the Supporting Actor in a Musical). Actor in a Leading Role and was Shrew (Bell Shakespeare), and Recent stage productions include nominated for a Film Critics’ more recently a national tour Little Shop of Horrors, Dusty, Circle of Australia Award. He has of Eddie Perfect’s The Beast. the Musical, since appeared in Romulus My On television, Heidi is best known and as The Child Catcher in Chitty Father, which also saw him for her portrayal of Dawn in Chitty Bang Bang (Green Room nominated for an AFI for Best The Librarians (ABC), Audrey Award). He has performed in Supporting Actor. Other film Gordon in Working Dog’s many productions over the credits include Oranges and Audrey’s Kitchen (ABC) and as an years at Belvoir Theatre, Sunshine, Clubland, Lantana, ensemble member in Thank God Theatre Company, and Ensemble Garage Days, Ned Kelly and Hey You’re Here (Channel 10). More Theatre; and as Puck for Hey It’s Esther Blueburger. recently Heidi has appeared as ’s acclaimed Russell was recently nominated Mrs Gonsha in Little Lunch production of A Midsummer for an AACTA award for his (Gristmill/ABC), , Night’s Dream directed by Baz performance as Barney in the and The Luhrmann. Tyler’s self written successful ABC television series Doctor Blake Mysteries (all ABC). solo show, LyreBird - Tales of Rake. Russell’s theatre credits Heidi’s other TV credits include Helpmann, has played include God of Carnage, Fat Tony & Co., It’s A Date, throughout Australia and Wonderful World of Dissocia Offspring, Last Man Standing, overseas winning a Scotsman and The Unlikely Prospect of Worst Year Of My Life – Again, Fringe First at the Edinburgh Happiness (STC), as well as Blue Heelers and The Secret Life Fringe Festival. Recent film Stuff Happens and Toy Symphony of Us. Heidi’s recent film credits credits include Hacksaw Ridge, (Company B). Russell won a include The Spirit of the Game, The Death and Life of Otto Helpmann Award in 2013 for Emo the Musical, Now Add Honey Bloom, Predestination, and his role as Uncle Fester in The and Nowhere Boys: The Book of The Tender Hook. Addams Family. He makes his Shadows. Melbourne Theatre Company Clockwise from above: Heidi Arena, Richard Piper, debut as Harry Brock in Born Yesterday. Russell Dykstra, Assistant Stage Manager Meg Go online to see the full gallery Richardson and Joel Jackson; Richard Piper and Russell Dykstra; Joel Jackson and Christie of Born Yesterday rehearsal Whelan Browne. and production images. mtc.com.au/backstage Cast & Creative Team Cast & Creative Team

CHRIS FORTUNA JOSH GATES JOEL JACKSON RICHARD PIPER CHRISTIE GARSON KANIN Eddie Brock Bellhop / Bootblack / Waiter Paul Verrall Senator Norval Hedges / WHELAN BROWNE (1912–1999) Assistant Manager / Barber Billie Dawn Playwright

Chris Fortuna is a veteran of the Performing for the first time at Joel Jackson is best known for Most recently for Melbourne Christie Whelan Browne returns Garson Kanin was a 20th Century Australian stand-up scene and Melbourne Theatre Company, his AACTA and Logie Award Theatre Company, Richard Piper to Melbourne Theatre Company Renaissance man. He began his makes his MTC debut in Born Josh Gates comes from a musical winning performance as Peter appeared in Double Indemnity, after appearing in The Odd stage career as an actor, later Yesterday. He has appeared on theatre background. After Allen in : Not The Boy Ghosts, Queen Lear, The Gift, The Couple, The Importance Of Being attending the American Academy iconic comedy programs such as understudying for the stage role Next Door (Seven Network) Drowsy Chaperone, Rockabye, Earnest and The Drowsy of Dramatic Arts and making his Utopia, Hamish and Andy, You’re of a young Peter Allen in Hugh and his AACTA nominated Entertaining Mr Sloane, The Give Chaperone (Helpmann Award Broadway debut in 1933. Born Skitting Me and Kinne. Chris Jackman’s The Boy From Oz, performance as Charles Bean in and Take and Dumb Show. His nomination). Recently she has Yesterday was his masterpiece, made his television debut Josh went on to play Billy Elliot (Matchbox other work for the Company been seen in the national tour playing over 1600 performances playing a nerdy ventriloquist on in Billy Elliot the Musical in both Pictures). Joel will appear in includes Great Expectations, of Eddie Perfect’s The Beast, on Broadway. Over the course followed by a variety Melbourne and Sydney. His Greg Mclean’s highly anticipated Betrayal, Man the Balloon, Channel 10’s The Wrong Girl and of his career Kanin wrote or of Australian dramas such as portrayal of Billy won him a new filmJungle in 2017, alongside Comedy of Errors, The in the feature film Spin Out. Her directed thirty-two plays House Husbands, Stingers and Green Room Award for Best Actor Daniel Radcliffe. Joel started his Importance of Being Earnest, career began in Grease the Arena including the premiere of Funny Blue Heelers. He recently starred in a Musical and an Australian performing career as a musician Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, Spectacular playing the role of Girl. He worked on twenty nine as the lead in the black humour Dance Award. After graduating in north-, Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, Patti Simcox, which she went on films including, It Should Happen feature The Heckler directed by from Patrick Studios Australia, supporting Birds of Tokyo, and the title role in Hannie to reprise in London. On returning to You, Adam’s Rib, and the Ben Plazzer. Chris has hosted Josh performed in La Cage , The Beautiful Girls, Rayson’s Life After George. He to Australia she received the Oscar-winning , an eight-part web series called Aux Folles (The Production , and Daryl has toured frequently throughout Sydney Theatre Award for and continued to write books Comedians in Bars Drinking Company), and appeared as Braithwaite all before the age Australia with The Secret River, her performance as April in including , which became Beer and can currently be seen Purser in the Australian tour of of 17. Joel graduated from the The Rocky Horror Show and Moby Company. Other musical credits the basis for the NBC TV series of in Tim Ferguson & Marc Gracie’s Anything Goes. He then went to National Institute of Dramatic Dick. Between 2007 and 2009, include starring roles in Xanadu, the same name. He was inducted romcom Spin Out. perform in the 60th Anniversary Art in 2013 and makes his Richard played Dad in the hit The Producers, Anything Goes, into the American Theater Hall production of My Fair Lady professional stage debut in musical Billy Elliot. He toured The Rocky Horror Show, Singin’ of Fame in 1985. directed by at the Born Yesterday. Europe with the STC’s Gross und in the Rain (Green Room Award . Klein and Belvoir’s The Wild nomination), A Funny Thing Duck. Richard trained at the Happened on the Way to the Central School of Speech and Forum (Green Room Award Drama in London and worked nomination), Nice Work If You as an actor, musician, and Can Get It, Jerry’s Girls and Once composer for twelve years in We Lived Here (Green Room Europe. Richard received the Award nomination). Christie has 2005 Green Room Award for Best been seen on the small screen in Actor in a Leading Role for The Offspring, Wonderland, Paper Daylight Atheist. Giants, INXS: Never Tear Us Apart, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries and House Husbands. Cast & Creative Team Cast & Creative Team

DEAN BRYANT DALE FERGUSON MATT SCOTT MATHEW FRANK LEITH McPHERSON ANDREW HALLSWORTH Director Set and Costume Designer Lighting Designer Composer and Voice and Dialect Coach Choreographer Sound Designer

Newly appointed as MTC’s Dale Ferguson’s designs have Matt Scott has lit more than fifty Mathew Frank was recently the Leith McPherson has previously Andrew Hallsworth returns to MTC Associate Director, Dean Bryant been a regular feature of MTC MTC productions, most recently composer of Skylight and Private worked as Voice and Dialect having choreographed Egg, Ladies has previously directed Skylight, productions, most recently in The Odd Couple, Jasper Jones, Lives for MTC and was the musical Coach on MTC’s productions of in Black, Private Lives, Rupert, I’ll Eat You Last and Next to Skylight, The Weir, The Skylight, The Last Man Standing, director of Jerry’s Girls, La Cage Jasper Jones, Skylight, Double Hamlet, Next to Normal, and Normal for the Company. Speechmaker, Neighbourhood The Weir, Jumpy, The Mountaintop, Aux Folles and The Pirates of Indemnity, Peddling (MTC The Drowsy Chaperone. He won He also worked on The Drowsy Watch, The Crucible, Top Girls, Elling, His Girl Friday, Red, The Penzance for The Production Education), North by Northwest, for Best Chaperone, Hitchcock Blonde and Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, Seed, Tribes, The Importance of Company. Other shows include Jumpy, I’ll Eat You Last, Private Choreography for Sweet Charity the MTC and STC seasons of The Life Without Me, The Drowsy Being Earnest, Clybourne Park, A Funny Thing Happened on the Lives, Other Desert Cities, All (Luckiest Productions/Neil 25th Annual Putnam County Chaperone, August: Osage The Joy of Text, Next to Normal, Way to the Forum with Geoffrey About My Mother, Dead Man’s Gooding/Tinderbox) and Anything Spelling Bee and Urinetown. Other County, The 25th Annual Putman A Behanding in Spokane, Don Rush at Her Majesty’s Theatre and Cell Phone, Boston Marriage, Goes (Opera Australia/GFO). directing credits include Sweet County Spelling Bee, and The Parties On, Life Without Me, Next to Normal and The Drowsy Madagascar, The Swimming Other choreographic credits are Charity (Helpmann Award, Best History Boys. Dale has worked for All About My Mother, Boston Chaperone for Melbourne Theatre Club, The Drowsy Chaperone, Dream Lover, Sydney Opera House Director of a Musical) and Little Australia’s leading theatre Marriage, The Swimming Club, Company. Mathew was also the August: Osage County, – The Opera (the Eighth Wonder), Shop of Horrors for Hayes Theatre companies, including Bell The Drowsy Chaperone and Associate Musical Director on the Explorations: A Streetcar Named A Funny Thing Happened on the Company, Anything Goes (Opera Shakespeare (King Lear), Gordon August: Osage County. Matt has Company’s productions of Poor Desire (MTC Education), Way to the Forum, Dream Song, Australia/GFO), Once We Lived Frost Organisation (Anything worked extensively in Australia Boy, The 25th Annual Putnam Rockabye, Songs for Nobodies, Shane Warne – the Musical in Here (London season), Goes), Belvoir (The Blind Giant and overseas and has designed County Spelling Bee (and STC Ninety, and The Dame on the Concert, An Officer and a DreamSong (TheatreWorks), is Dancing), Malthouse (Dance for all of Australia’s major season), and Urinetown (and Ten Dollar Note, and as Assistant Gentleman, Eurobeat – Almost Straight (Red Stitch), The Last of Death) and Sydney Theatre performing arts companies, STC season), and the Assistant Director on Hamlet and Richard Eurovision, Leader of the Pack – Five Years, Prodigal, Virgins: Company (Les Liaisons lighting over two hundred Musical Director on The III. Other recent stage work The Ellie Greenwich Musical A Musical Threesome and five Dangereuses). He recently productions. His most recent Sapphires. Cabaret works include includes Matilda: The Musical (Green Room Award for Best musicals for The Production returned from designing Lyric other work includes The Britney Spears the Cabaret, Show (Royal Shakespeare Company), Choreography); Menopause the Company. With composer Mathew Opera of Chicago’s production Pearlfishersand The Marriage People and Vinyl Viagra. With Fiddler on the Roof (TML Musical; The Merry Widow, Frank, he wrote Green Room of The Magic Flute. Dale has of Figaro for Opera Australia; writing partner Dean Bryant, he Enterprises), Little Shop of Sideshow Alley, Prodigal Son, Award-winning musicals Prodigal received four Green Room La Traviata and Madame Butterfly composed the musical Prodigal, Horrors (Luckiest Enterprises), and Wombat Stew. For The and Once We Lived Here, as well Awards, most recently for Night for NZ Opera; Anything Goes for which became the first Australian Anything Goes (Opera Australia/ Production Company he has as Virgins: A Musical Threesome, on Bald Mountain, and the 2010 Opera Australia/Gordon Frost musical produced in New York Gordon Frost Productions), Once: co-directed and choreographed The Silver Donkey and an Amy Helpmann Award for MTC’s Organisation; Jasper Jones for City, with its Off-Broadway debut The Musical (GFP), and Hello, The Producers and Anything Goes Winehouse musical for Channel August: Osage County. His set Belvoir; Angels in America for at the York Theatre Company in Beautiful! (Malthouse). Her and choreographed Jerry’s Girls, 10’s Mr & Mrs Murder. Dean and costume designs for Black Swan State Theatre 2002. Other original musicals screen work includes Ghost in La Cage Aux Folles, The Pirates created verbatim piece Gaybies Company B/Malthouse’s Company; Banquet of Secrets and include Virgins: A Musical the Shell, The Hobbit trilogy, of Penzance, Gypsy, The Boy (Midsumma, Darlinghurst Theatre production of Exit the King Voyage to the Moon for Victorian Threesome, Once We Lived Here Childhood’s End, Gods of Egypt, from Oz, Carousel, Mame and The Company). Dean is Worldwide earned him Tony and Drama Desk Opera, and The Riders for West and The Silver Donkey. The Eye of the Storm, and The Boy Friend. He co-choreographed Associate Director of Priscilla, Award nominations when the Australian Opera. He has won two Lovers. Leith is Head of Voice the international production Queen of the Desert – The Musical production transferred to Helpmann Awards. and Movement for the Theatre of Priscilla Queen of the Desert and is a graduate of WAAPA. Broadway in 2009. Department at the VCA. for Broadway and its other international seasons. Melbourne Theatre Company

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Endowment Donors Emeritus Prof Peter McPhee Robert Drake Ken and Jan Mackinnon Earimil Gardens Charity Tony and Janine Burgess Philip Crutchfield qc and Amy Crutchfield Dr Monica Pahuja Bev and Geoff Edwards Alister and Margaret Maitland Tim and Angela Smith Orcadia Foundation Prof Margaret Gardner ao and Lady Potter ac George and Eva Ermer Joyce and Bernard Marks Annette and Graham Smorgon ◆ Andrew and Tracey Sisson Prof Glyn Davis ac Renzella Family Dr Alastair Fearn Garry McLean Diana and Brian Snape am Fred and Alex Grimwade Anne and Mark Robertson oam Jan and Rob Flew Elizabeth McMeekin Jennifer Steinicke Rosie Harkness Steven Skala ao and Lousje Skala Heather Forbes ■ Brenda and Don McRae Shirley Strauss Anonymous Elizabeth Foster Robert and Helena Mestrovic Ricci Swart The Gordon Frost Organisation ■ John G Millard Rodney and Aviva Taft John Fullerton Dr Jenny Miller and Alistair Hay Sylvia Taylor ANNUAL GIVING Kate Galvin ◆ Ross and Judy Milne-Pott Richard and Debra Tegoni Donors whose annual gifts help MTC enrich and transform lives through the finest theatre imaginable Nigel and Cathy Garrard Ging Muir and John McCawley ■ Frank Tisher OAM and Dr Miriam Tisher Diana and Murray Gerstman Barbara and David Mushin Kevin and Elizabeth Walsh ■ Benefactors Circle Joel Dodge and Family ● Heather and Bob Glindemann oam Gill Family Foundation Julie Nelson Pinky Watson $250,000+ The Dowd Foundation Henry Gold Brian Goddard Nick Nichola and Ingrid Moyle ● Marion Webster ◆ Crown Resorts Foundation Robert and Jan Green Murray Gordon and Lisa Norton Leon Goldman Dr Paul and Sue Nisselle Ursula Whiteside Packer Family Foundation David and Lily Harris ● Lesley Griffin Roger and Jan Goldsmith Leigh O’Neill ◆ Ann and Alan Wilkinson Jane Hemstritch Tony Hillery and Warwick Eddington Charles and Cornelia Goode Foundation ◆ James Ostroburski John and Myriam Wylie Foundation ◆ $100,000+ Linda Herd Bruce and Mary Humphries Maureen Wheeler ao and Tony Wheeler ao Isabella Green oam and Richard Green Dr Harry and Rita Perelberg Mandy and Ted Yencken George Klempfner and Rosemary Leffler John and Jo Grigg Dr Annamarie Perlesz Graeme and Nancy Yeomans $50,000+ Yolanda Klempfner ao ● Alex and Halina Lewenberg Jane Grover ◆ Dug and Lisa Pomeroy Greg Young The Joan and Peter Clemenger Trust Marshall Day Acoustics Virginia Lovett and Rose Hiscock ● Ian and Wendy Haines Sally Redlich Roz Zalewski and Jeremy Ruskin The Cybec Foundation (Dennis Irving Scholarship) Carol Mackay and Greg Branson Glen Harrington and Robyn Eastham Victoria Redwood Ange and Pete Zangmeister Ian and Margaret McKellar Ian and Judi Marshman $20,000+ Sandi and Gil Hoskins Julie and Ian Reid Anita Zeimer ◆ George and Rosa Morstyn Sandy and Sandra Murdoch Emeritus Prof Andrea Hull ao Anthony Renzella Anonymous (18) Betty Amsden ao Daniel Neal and Peter Chalk Jane and Andrew Murray The Andrew and Geraldine Buxton Tom and Ruth O’Dea ■ Tony Osmond and Fiona Griffiths Foundation ▲ Dr Pajouhesh (Smile Solutions) Peter Philpott and Robert Ratcliffe Tony and Janine Burgess LEGACY CIRCLE Alison Park Max Schultz Acknowledging supporters who have made the visionary gesture of including a gift to MTC in their will Dr Geraldine Lazarus and Greig Gailey Jeanna Pratt AC Tim and Lynne Sherwood Dr Andrew McAliece and Janet Reid oam and Allan Reid Trikojus Education Fund – Australian Mark and Tamara Boldiston Irene Kearsey Dr Andrew McAliece and Dr Richard Simmie Christopher Richardson Communities Foundation ● Bernadette Broberg Fiona Griffiths Dr Richard Simmie Louise and Martyn Myer ao Anne and Mark Robertson oam ● ◆ Cheryl and Paul Veith Peter and Betty Game Anonymous (5) The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation Trawalla Foundation Trust Ralph Ward-Ambler am and Caroline and Derek Young am ▲ Dr Michael and Lynne Wright Barbara Ward-Ambler The Vizard Foundation Anonymous (4) Anthony Watson and Tracey McDonald ● LEGACY GIFTS Anonymous Price and Christine Williams Remembering and honouring those who have generously supported MTC through a bequest $10,000+ Advocates Circle Ray and Margaret Wilson Erica Bagshaw $2,500–$4,999 Gillian and Tony Wood Estate of Leta-Rae Arthy Estate of Bettie Kornhauser The Estate of Freda E White Mary Barlow Marc Besen ac and Eva Besen ao Laurel Young-Das and Heather Finnegan The Christine Brown Bequest The Kitty and Leslie Sandy Bequest Estate of Dorothy Wood The Janet and Michael Buxton Foundation Jay Bethell and Peter Smart Anonymous (6) Estate of Ron Chapman Estate of James Hollis Minson The Cattermole Family Grant Fisher and Helen Bird Estate of Gordan J Compton The Estate of Prudence Ann Tutton Christine Gilbertson ◆ Bill Bowness Loyalty Circle Petra and Larry Kamener Bill and Sandra Burdett $1,000–$2,499 Macgeorge Bequest Lynne and Rob Burgess Dr Katie Allen and Malcolm Allen Acknowledging Donors who join together to support innovative and inspiring programs for the benefit of our community Malcolm Robertson Foundation Pat Burke and Jan Nolan In memory of Nicola Andrews The late Noel Mason and Susanna Mason ▲ Diana Burleigh Jennifer Andrews ▲ ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S ■ YOUTH AMBASSADORS ◆ WOMEN IN THEATRE ● FAMILY PROGRAMMING Matsarol Foundaion ▲ Stephen and Jenny Charles Valma E. Angliss am CIRCLE GIVING CIRCLE GIVING CIRCLE GIVING CIRCLE Craig Semple ▲ Caroline and Robert Clemente James and Helen Angus Luisa Valmorbida ▲ Tom and Elana Cordiner ● Margaret Astbury Anonymous (2) Debbie Dadon am John and Dagnija Balmford $5,000+ Dr Anthony Dortimer and Jillian Dortimer David and Rhonda Black John and Lorraine Bates Shaun and Michelle Factor ● Marc and Orli Blecher and Family ● Sandy Bell and Daryl Kendrick Melody and Jonathan Feder ■ ● Terry Bracks am Dr Andrew Buchanan and Peter Darcy Dr Helen Ferguson Beth Brown and Tom Bruce am Rosemary Forbes and Ian Hocking Pam Caldwell Ian and Jillian Buchanan Current as of December 2016 John and Robyn Butselaar Bruce Freeman ■ Alison and John Cameron Barry and Joanne Cheetham Gjergja Family John and Jan Campbell To find out more about supporting MTC please call 03 8688 0959 or visit mtc.com.au/support Thank You What’s On

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

Major Partners Major Media Partners

Production Partners

Brand new writing and electric John storytelling come together in MTC’s by Annie Baker annual Cybec Electric program. Nine Asian-Australian writers are Premium Season Partners MTC’s Associate Director participating in this reading series, Sarah Goodes directs this as part of Asia TOPA. mesmerising Australian premiere.

Season Partners 10 FEB–25 MAR 23 FEB –25 FEB

Faith Healer by Brian Friel Marketing Partners Irish playwright Brian Friel’s masterpiece arrives in Melbourne following an acclaimed season at Sydney’s Belvoir St Theatre.

4 MAR–8 APR Southbank Theatre Partners

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 For a $10 membership fee, practising theatre of Melbourne. Creative Victoria. Australian Major Performing Arts Group. artists can access $29 tickets to designated MTC productions in 2017.

If you would like to join our corporate family or host a private event, please contact [email protected] MTC.COM.AU QR14897 - AU MTC Programme_A5_Portrait_R2p.indd 1 14/12/16 4:14 pm