THE WEST END AND BROADWAY HIT COMEDY Jerry Hall Rider Strong Original Production Adapted and Directed by Terry Johnson “Jerry Hall makes a witty, sharp, drop-dead gorgeous Mrs Robinson” Benedict Bill Overton, BBC LONDON LIVE From 26 August His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth BOCS: VIP, DINING & HOTEL 9484 1133 OR 1800 193 300 PACKAGES WWW.BOCSTICKETING.COM.AU SHOWBIZ.COM.AU GROUPS 9321 6831 OR 1300 4 SHOWS WWW.THEGRADUATE.INFO Presented by Kay and McLean Productions Pty Ltd in association with Perth Theatre Trust, HVK Productions and Michael Coppel Jerry Hall Rider Strong Original Production Adapted and Directed by Terry Johnson based on the novel by Charles Webb and the motion picture screenplay by Calder Willingham & Buck Henry by special arrangement with StudioCanal Directed by Sets and Costumes Designed by Lighting Designed by Peter Lawrence Rob Howell Hugh Vanstone Songs by Paul Simon Recorded by Simon & Garfunkel Other music and songs by Barrington Pheloung & Original Artists Original Sound Design & Effects by Mike Walker CAST Jerry Hall – Mrs Robinson Rider Strong – Benjamin Michelle Fornasier – Mrs Braddock Luke Hewitt – Mr Robinson, Drinker in bar Kate Jenkinson – Elaine Robinson David Meadows – Mr Braddock James Helm – Motel Manager, Wedding Guest, Man in Bar and U/S Benjamin & Mr Braddock Steve Turner – Bartender/Wedding Guest/Motel Manager (Mr Robinson U/S) Alison van Reeken – Stripper/Hotel Manager/Wedding Guest (Mrs Braddock U/S) Whitney Richards – U/S Elaine, Female non speaking Karl Watson – Bell Boy, Male non speaking Presented by Kay and McLean Productions Pty Ltd in association with Perth Theatre Trust, HVK Productions and Michael Coppel Originally produced on the London and Broadway stage by John Reid & Sacha Brooks Media Release 22 July 2010 THE WEST END AND BROADWAY HIT COMEDY Original Production Adapted and Directed by Terry Johnson PERTH SEASON - STARRING JERRY HALL HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE From 26th August – STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON AUSTRALIAN CAST ANNOUNCED After an exhaustive audition process the producers are pleased to announce that they have now chosen the Australian supporting cast to play alongside Jerry Hall and Rider Strong. Stage and television actor Kate Jenkinson (The Wedge, Thank God You’re Here, Rush) will take on the role of Elaine Robinson and will be joined by West Australian theatre identities - Michelle Fornasier (Mrs Braddock), David Meadows (Mr Braddock) and Luke Hewitt (Mr Robinson) in this iconic piece of American pop culture. “A smart, sexy, funny new play” Independent on Sunday Performing on stage in Australia for the first time, Jerry Hall reclaims her role as the sexy, sultry Mrs Robinson. “Jerry Hall is cool, suave, sleek, languid, elegant and charismatic; which is all that Mrs Robinson should be” The Times “She makes a witty, sharp, drop-dead gorgeous Mrs Robinson” BBC London Live Besides her role as Mrs. Robinson, Ms. Hall has numerous theatre credits to her name, including originating the role of Sugar in Bud Shrake’s Benchmark, directed by Michael Rudman at the New End Theatre in Hampstead. She also has had roles in the U.S. and West End productions of Bus Stop, the West End productions of The Vagina Monologues and The Play What I Wrote. She was the guest star with the North American Tour of The Vagina Monologues in Austin, Texas, and toured England with Picasso’s Women, a 52-minute monologue. More recently Jerry performed in the West End hit production of Calendar Girls. American actor Rider Strong reunites with Jerry to perform the role of Benjamin Braddock. Rider has a strong background in television in the United States having performed in seven season of the ABC’s Boy Meets World. Media Release 22 July 2010 Along with his brother, Rider wrote and directed the award-winning short film, “Irish Twins,” which premiered at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival and went on to play festivals worldwide. The pair also created a campaign commercial in support of Barack Obama that became the first political ad to air on Comedy Central. Adapted from Charles Webb’s novel and the Oscar award winning film, The Graduate is at once both a moving coming of age story and a terrifically funny black comedy. As relevant today as the day it was written, The Graduate is set against a soundtrack of some of the most memorable songs of the sixties including Wouldn’t It Be Nice by The Beach Boys, Everybody’s Talkin’ by Harry Nilsson and, of course, The Sound of Silence and Mrs Robinson by Simon and Garfunkel. The GRADUATE will play His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth for 21 performances only! The show previews on the 26th August and opens on the 28th August 2010. THE GRADUATE Perth season is directed by Peter Lawrence, adapted by Terry Johnson, from the novel by Charles Webb and the screenplay by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry. It is produced by Kay & McLean Productions Pty Ltd in association with the Perth Theatre Trust, HVK Productions and Michael Coppel and is sponsored by Eventscorp. Production design is by Rob Howell (sets and costumes), Hugh Vanstone (lighting) and Christopher Cronin (sound). THE GRADUATE features songs by Paul Simon, performed by Simon and Garfunkel, and original music composed and arranged by Barrington Pheloung. The GRADUATE was originally commissioned and produced on the London and Broadway stage by John Reid and Sacha Brooks. To book your tickets call the box office now on (08) 9484 1133 or 1800 193 300, or online at www.bocsticketing.com.au For Groups call (08) 9321 6831 or Fax (08) 9486 1722 Further media information or interviews please contact: Perth - Lynne Burford, Lynne Burford Publicity - Ph: 9355 1455 or [email protected] Sydney - Bruce Pollack, Pollack Consulting, (02) 9331 5276 or [email protected] Melbourne - Peter Bridges, [email protected] Media Release 22 June 2010 THE WEST END AND BROADWAY HIT COMEDY Original Production Adapted and Directed by Terry Johnson PERTH SEASON - STARRING JERRY HALL HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE From 26th August – STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON In this stage version, this iconic piece of American pop culture has taken London, Toronto, and Broadway by storm. Theatre critics have called THE GRADUATE: “A sensational triumph! The clever and silky smooth production is a major achievement for author Terry Johnson.” “Fans of the film will be delighted to see their favorite bits and hear their favorite lines while getting more than just a screen-to-stage transcription to chew on.” “The stage play of THE GRADUATE is a better drama than the movie - clever and awfully satisfying.” Now it’s Australia’s turn to see Jerry Hall play the legendary seductress, reclaiming her role as the sexy, sultry Mrs Robinson in an exclusive PERTH season of THE GRADUATE!! Twenty year old Benjamin Braddock has graduated with top marks much to the delight of his proud parents and has a fine future ahead of him. That is until he finds himself seduced by Mrs Robinson, one of his parents’ oldest and dearest friends. Young enough to be her son and old enough to know better, it isn’t long before Benjamin is helping Mrs Robinson with her zipper… Adapted from Charles Webb’s novel and the Oscar award winning film, The Graduate is at once both a moving coming of age story and a terrifically funny black comedy. As relevant today as the day it was written, The Graduate is set against a soundtrack of some of the most memorable songs of the sixties including Wouldn’t It Be Nice by The Beach Boys, Everybody’s Talkin’ by Harry Nilsson and, of course, The Sound of Silence and Mrs Robinson by Simon and Garfunkel. The Times of London says, “Jerry Hall is cool, suave, sleek, languid, elegant and charismatic: which is all that Mrs. Robinson should be.” Besides her role as Mrs. Robinson, Ms. Hall has numerous theatre credits to her name, including originating the role of Sugar in Bud Shrake’s Benchmark, directed by Michael Rudman at the New End Theatre in Hampstead. She also has had roles in the U.S. and West End productions of Bus Stop, the West End productions of The Vagina Monologues and The Play What I Wrote. She was the guest star with the North American Tour of The Vagina Monologues in Austin, Texas, and toured England with Picasso’s Women, a 52-minute monologue. More recently Jerry performed in the West End hit production of Calendar Girls. Media Release 22 June 2010 One of the most eagerly anticipated openings in recent memory in the West End, The Graduate provoked a media frenzy with the public clamouring to get tickets. Now audiences in Australia have a chance to see what all the fuss is about, but to see Jerry Hall starring in The Graduate they will need to come West. The Graduate starring Jerry Hall at His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth for 21 performances only, previews on the 26th August and opens on the 28th August 2010! “A SMART, SEXY, FUNNY NEW PLAY” Independent on Sunday In announcing this Perth only season of The Graduate starring Jerry Hall, Andrew Kay of the Producers Kay and McLean Productions said: “We are delighted to be working with our partners at the Perth Theatre Trust, and for the first time, Eventscorp WA to bring Jerry Hall and The Graduate to His Majesty’s Theatre. Perth is a great theatre town and we are thrilled to be able to bring Perth audiences this fabulous production starring one of the world’s most beautiful and talented performers. Jerry Hall’s Mrs Robinson lit up London’s West End and we are sure she will now do the same for Western Australia”.