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Friction

scripted by Tony Strachan and Kate Gaul

November 16 - November 27. Tues to Sat 8pm, Sun 5pm ($17 preview Nov 16).
Saturday matinee @ 2pm on November 27.

Presented by Australian Theatre of the Deaf and Darlinghurst Theatre Company

Cracked

written and performed by Skye Loneragan

October 27 - November 13. Tues to Sat 8pm, Sun 5pm

Presented by Ricochet Working Productions and Darlinghurst Theatre Company in association with Quirk Creative

EDINBURGH FRINGE FIRST WINNER 2001

How do you grieve someone who's still alive? Cracked is a tragic smile in answer to that question:

“Cracked" is the story of Hope. Hope has lost her father. Trouble is, he’s still alive….

….and thinks he wrote the Bible.

Everyday Roger Brimming swims out to sea – but not back - and everyday Hope picks him up in a boat. Everyday but one. Hope is alone with him until an uninvited visitor folds her into a choice she didn't see coming.

“A tiny, but almost perfect show….a haunting and beautifully structured piece... a haunting reminder of some of the big questions asked” Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman

“This is theatrical monologue at its devastating best” Sunday Herald, Picks of the Week

“It is life’s most terrible, hopeless moments grounded in bangers and mash.” (Andrew Eaton, The Scotsman)

“Loneragan gives a gripping performance ..full of desperation and loneliness, but free of sentimentality or self-pity.” Dino Mahony, South China Morning Post

"It is a real joy to see a performer who can bring together text, character and story with such power, beauty and skill.” Christopher Heiberg, Edinburgh Guide

“Skye Loneragan’s rye and brilliantly pithy monologue….a perfect miniature.” Neil Cooper, The Herald

Don't Stare too Much!

October 27 - November 13. Tues to Sat 9pm, Sun 7pm.

Presented by White Rhino & pell mell Productions and Darlinghurst Theatre Company

Who needs self-help when there are a multitude of books telling you what to do?

Don't Stare Too Much, is a sassy comedic response to the innumerable relationship self-help books such as "The Rules (Time Tested Secrets for Capturing the Heart of Mr.Right)", "Why Men Marry Some Women and Not Others", and "If I'm So Wonderful, Why Am I Still Single", portraying the sometimes hilarious quest for love and perils of seduction.

A sexy physical comedy about romance and how to find it, set entirely to music, Don't Stare Too Much was previewed at this years "Live Bait Festival" to great acclaim and laughter.

Devised & Directed by Jo Turner, Produced by Mel Flanagan

Devised & Performed by Chris Baker, Caroline Dunphy, Susannah Hardy, Hayley McElhinney & John Leary

Blue Surge

by Rebecca Gilman

October 6 - October 23. Tues to Sat 8pm, Sun 5pm. ($17 preview Oct 5)

Presented by Paul Godfrey & Kim Taylor with Darlinghurst Theatre Company

TWO COPS … TWO HOOKERS … AND A WHOLE LOTTA TROUBLE

Humour, romance and massage tables collide when Darlinghurst Theatre Company presents the Australian premiere of Blue Surge by acclaimed American playwright Rebecca Gilman.

Blue Surge follows the adventures of two cops, two hookers and one uptown fiancée in the aftermath of a failed raid on an illegal brothel.

The lives of Kurt, a sensitive dreamer from the wrong side of the tracks, and the not too bright bad boy Doug intersect with those of Sandy, a seemingly gawky ingénue, and the reckless brazen Heather. 

When Kurt in ‘knight-in-shining armour’ mode sets out to rescue Sandy from her ‘sordid’ existence in a twisted version of Pygmalion, his actions have unforeseen consequences for all.

A raw human drama Blue Surge is a character driven story that weaves an intriguing narrative spell.   Enhanced by a touch of quirky underworld realism Blue Surge offers a refreshing and earthy non-Hollywood perspective on the Pretty Woman myth. 

Blue Surge never cheats and yet manages to surprise as it unfolds with increasing intensity.  The climax is shatteringly beautiful, and absolutely right.

Peter Rainer, New York Metro

Playwright Rebecca Gilman has developed the perfect mix of characters and an intriguing plot, which, after seeming so simple, becomes incredibly complex... this is a play for everyone.

Troy Dodds, Broadway Australia

Energised, engaging and emotionally charged Blue Surge is compelling contemporary theatre from Rebecca Gilman (Spinning into Butter and the award-winning The Glory of Living) one of America’s best playwrights.

Gilman's writing is heartfelt and the narrative crackles along with plenty of surprises.

Chris Jones, Variety

Blue Surge is directed by Paul Godfrey and produced by Kim Taylor with lighting design by Liam Fraser and features Buddy Dannoun, Jasmin De Main, Martin Grelis, Rebekah Moore and Amy Pedersen. 

Warning: This play contains nudity and language that may be considered offensive.
 

Cloud Nine

by Caryl Churchill

September 8 - October 2.

Presented by The Relaxed and Comfortable Group and Darlinghurst Theatre Company
 
War and patriotism, cocks, guns, sex, sin, class and frocks. And that's all covered in the opening few scenes!
 
Caryl Churchill's classic play of Victorian sensibilities and tangled genders is given the treatment by the wonderful talents of the "The Relaxed and Comfortable Group". Expect to see a scandalous, hilarious and theatrically miraculous night of entertainment.
 
With new music, composed by stage and television legend Phil Scott (The Gillies Report, Republic of Myopia, Wharf Revue), in collaboration with Australia's leading hip-hop 'sampologist', John Blake (DJ Soup), here it is: Cloud 9, in all its glory, dripping with heart, brains and sweat, in a daring new production.

"I can think of no contemporary playwright who combines such scope of imagination and depth of purpose." - Ben Brantley, The New York Times.

Damien Millar is Sydney's most substantial new director. Since graduating from NIDA a year ago, he's worked with the Adelaide STC, the ANPC, Company B, Playbox, Playworks, the STC and the prestigious World Interplay, alongside representatives from Britain's Royal Court and Traverse theatres. His producer, the gutsy Temura Lee, served as a captain of the Australian Army in Bougainville and East Timor before she also went to NIDA.

Featuring: Holly Austin, Thomas Campbell, Adriano Cappelletta, Yure Covich, Robert Jago and Sara Zwangobani
Directed by Damien Millar, Produced by Temura Lee, Music by John Blake and Phil Scott, Design by Mark Campbell and Kim Scott

Vicious Streaks

by Alex Broun

August 12 - September 4.

Presented by  and Darlinghurst Theatre Company in association with NMT.

Seven Stories for the New World.  Vicious Streaks is seven new plays by award winning Sydney writer Alex Broun (Pick Ups, Blind City - Sydney Festival), co-directed by one of Australia's greatest living directors, George Ogilvie AM (Mad Max 3, The Crossing, Bodyline, Proof - STC), and one of Sydney's hottest young talents, Lee Lewis (Best Director Short and Sweet 04, Half and Half - B Sharp).

Prepare to be entertained, shocked and delighted by these characters and their stories - with a twist.

"Broun's writing has an edgy darkness that makes it stand out." Stephen Dunne, Sydney Morning Herald

Featuring: Amanda Bishop, Jonathon Elson, Christine Greenough, Jacinta John, Peter Mochrie, Beejan Olfat and Rhys Robinson.

Directors: Lee Lewis and George Ogilvie. Producer: Beejan Olfat. Design: Nicholas Dare (The Musicians - Sydney Festival) and Alice Lau (What The Butler Saw - Company B). Lighting Design: Mark Howett (Life Times Three - Company B). Composer: Phil Scott (The Republic of Myopia - STC, Flatfoot - Ensemble).

Noir

by Peter Straughan

July 15 - August 7.

Presented by cabin crew and Darlinghurst Theatre Company

Noir is a new millennium, film noir style, multi character, comic thriller. With the mood of “The Maltese Falcon”, the humour of “The Office”, and the pace of a Tarantino film, Noir transports you through a comically dark, emotionally charged night in the theatre.

We meet Ray, (who to most people is just a security guard at a department store, but, in his own mind is a highly skilled private investigator), and George, (owner of a highly successful electronics franchise who suspects his lecturer wife is having an affair with a student). Witnessing George’s depths of despair, Ray embarks on a very sensitive investigation through mistaken identities, morally-ambiguous low lifes from the dark and gloomy underworld of violent crime and corruption, stuffed dogs and adult chat lines.

It’d be a killer of a film!

Like the classic film noir developed during and after World War II, Noir takes advantage of the post-war/terrorism ambience of anxiety, pessimism, and suspicion, by flipping it on it’s head in ways both hilarious and scarily familiar.

Featuring: Nicholas Cassim,  Libby Flemming, Jonathan Gavin, Sophie Gregg,
Hayley McElhinney, John McNeill, Chris Pitman, Kristian Schmid and Justin Smith
Director: Tamara Cook, Assistant Director: Leon Ford, Producer: Angela Miller, Designer: Jo Briscoe, Lighting Design: Stephen Hawker, Operator: Matt Marshall

June provided another fantastic double-bill

The Flats

by Georgia Keighery.

June 10 - July 3 2004.

Presented by Prompt Theatre and Darlinghurst Theatre Company.

Raw, shameless and wickedly funny, The Flats is a delirious journey taking you deep inside what your neighbours never wanted you to see! Fling open the closed doors of THE FLATS and play voyeur as the six inhabitants purge their inner most secrets, neuroses, obsessions and darkest desires. There's - the opinionated Jay (Alan Lovell) who loves to have his voice heard, the woman on a mission - Sarah (Wendy Strehlow) who wants to 'liberate' the female genitalia, the effervescently friendly Elle (Georgia Keighery), the factoid-obsessed Drew (Cecily Hardy), the testosterone fuelled Vince (Jacob Allan), and the 'clock-watching' Dee (Jessica Symes) who's well...special! Playing out their lives like a Vaseline smeared glittering game show, the six boisterous inhabitants peel back the cheery facade and delve into fiery, funny and the dauntingly demented underbelly that lies beneath.

The Flats juggles violence with farce, fortune with tragedy and madness with love, driven by the cacophonous and spectacular sounds of D.J Simon H live on stage.

In 2003 'The Flats' received a Commendation for the Phillip Parsons Young Playwrights Award.

Featuring: Jacob Allan, Cecily hardy, Georgia Keighery, Alan Lovell, Wendy Strehlow and Jessica Symes

Music Mixed Live on Stage by Simon H

Directed by: Lauren Steenholdt.
Design: Katrina Adams, Lighting: Liam Fraser, Sound: Simon H

Vampirella

by Angela Carter.

June 10 - July 3 2004.

 Presented by Curious Bird Theatre Company and Darlinghurst Theatre Company.

Knock knock… A British bicyclist, a vampiress hungry for love, a carnivorous housekeeper and a castle full of ghosts.

Who's there? An over protective (dead) father and his cronies who fill eternity with their whispers. A lark who sings in the dark. A bicycle rusting in a stream.

You are just in time for tea…

Vampirella is waiting. She has a hunger. However, the only thing that will sate her appetite this time is love.  Making love. Making love with a young male virgin. It is the only way out of her tedious existence: being a vampire is pretty lonely when you are last of the line.

Featuring: Liesel Badorrek, Katrina Campbell, Thomas Campbell, Nicholas Coghlan and Ryan Hayward.

Director: Hallie Shellam Producer: Justin Davies
Costume Design: Ailsa Patterson Set Design: Katrina Adams
Sound Design: Robin McCarthy Lighting Design: Amelia Davies.

"In The Raw" came back for a mini season, with two new projects:

In the Raw play 1:

Kick the Bucket

devised and performed by Michelle Outram, Teik Kim Pok and Gavin Sladen

Playing June 2 - 5 2004, 7pm

Presented by Shagging Julie and Darlinghurst Theatre Company in association with PACT Youth Theatre Inc.

Taxes can be avoided! Just ask Kerry Packer. But what good was it to Christopher Skase in the end?

"Shagging Julie" presents a crash course in the ultimate destination.

What choices are left when you are dead?
Should you start writing your eulogy now in case someone else stuffs it up?
Why do funerals make people horny?

The wonderfully talented and irreverent "Shagging Julie" will be joined by a whole new mix of performers, musicians, designers, architects (not to mention dancers), in a performance installation that will confront taboos, and arouse your morbid fascination in wickedly comic ways.

In the Raw play 2:

Instant Karma

by Martyn Park.

June 2 - 5 2004, 9pm

THEFT. DECEIT. ABDUCTION. MURDER. Just another ordinary day in "Film Noir" land.

If you had to choose between losing everything or lying to an insurance company, what would you do? Lay down and take it? Or start to weave a web of deception?

Instant Karma is a recent Australian play that takes you on a one hour ride, in the classical Film Noir/Psychological Thriller style, with a pinch of wicked humour.

Featuring: Ben Barrack, Fayssal Bazzi, Laurence Coy, Sebastian Goldspink and Jacinta John.
Directed by Laurence Coy. Live Original Music by Glenn Langford. Producer: Jacinta John, Associate Producer: Beejan Olfat

After a successful week in October 2003. These fantastic new Australian comidies came back for a five week see-out season

BackPacker!

by Christopher Johnson.

April 29 - May 29 2004, 7pm

"From Christopher Johnson (THE DOG LOGS; BARNESY, THE HARBOUR AND YOU) and Darlinghurst Theatre Company, comes a sexy, adult, twisted new comedy-thriller: BACKPACKER!

We'll let the reviews speak for themselves...

"Johnson writes like a cross between Harold Pinter and Jerry Seinfeld."
Lenny Anne Low, Sydney Morning Herald.

"Very funny… Backpacker! transports us into the world of the British backpacker in contemporary Sydney.  Humorous lines, high farce and a twisting plot ensue.  The terribly polite world of bankers Phil (Alexander Jones) and his live-in lover Phoebe (Monica Brian) is turned upside down when they agree to forsake their usual trendy nightspot to give Phil's best friend, the sexually frustrated Jasper (Christopher Johnson), the chance to pick up a backpacker at a beachside pub…

Jasper meets the 'English Rose' Corisande (Rachel Aveling), and all the group are immediately seduced by her.  Corisande subsequently moves in with Phil and Phoebe - and all is happy until the unexpected arrival of her brother Clive (James Lugton), who pushes the three Australians to the brink…
 Backpacker! is full of intrigue.  It explores and challenges our notions of love, lust, mateship and fidelity.  The clever lighting and austere staging effectively take us from Phil's loft apartment to various nightspots and the outdoors.  Well cast and fabulously acted.  Backpacker! is great entertainment."
David Martin, E-On Stage.

A fast-paced, unpredictable comedy of suspense, starring Monica Brian, Christopher Johnson, Alexander Jones and James Lugton and Rebekah Moore. Directed by Michael Pigott.

Bangers and Mash

by Drew Fairley and Kate Smith.

April 29 - May 29 2004, 8.30pm.

Presented with Darlinghurst Theatre Company.

What do you do when you find yourself attracted to your flat-mate? Do you clean the bathroom? Do you hit the town? Do you make a move... or do you move out?

A wicked little pastiche with a splash of melodrama, a heap of sitcom, lashings of slapstick, a touch of satire, a dash of horror, buckets of comedy and a little song and dance.This show will leave you wanting to fall in love all over again and again and again.

Sixty Six Minutes

plays by Joe Pintauro, Theresa Rebeck  and Frederick Stroppel.

April 7- 24 2004

Presented by Fishy productions and Darlinghurst Theatre Company

"Confident, delectable and exuberant sections of dialogue by all three playwrights give great strength to the production." Lenny Low, Sydney Morning Herald, 12.04.04
 
"...cracking talent... always entertaining!"- Large Magazine
"A brilliantly refreshing, risible pieces of theatre that we can all relate to, in one way or another! ... The acting was sharp with some very complex individual performances." Sarah Stinson, Producer, "A Current Affair".

The outstandingly talented team of "Fishy Productions" brings you six inspired plays from NY's foremost writers, with wicked and dazzling, laugh-out-loud humour. "Sixty Six Minutes" explores the issues in the lives of all city dwellers; vegetarianism and smoking, domesticity and prostitution, organ donation and firearms.

Six superbly crafted plays, plus six talented actors, equal Sixty Six Minutes of excellent entertainment.

"an unexpected theatrical joy … Frederick Stroppel is smart, witty, incisive, right on and slightly skewed" -  Performing Arts Insider

"for sheer writing talent, the unique and muse-given ability to think about human meaning in theatrical terms, Rebeck is as good as they come" - Boston Theater     

"Joe Pintauro packs years worth of passion, pain and intensity into about 10 minutes on stage. In a few words, Pintauro manages to allow the audience amazing insight  into the  lives and losses of his characters" - Tucson Weekly

Featuring: Andrew Crowley, Damian Foley, Naomi Fryer, Melissa McMahon, Rebecca Rocheford Davies and David Terry. Directed by Kim Hardwick.

I've Got the Shakes

by Richard Foreman.

March 4 - 27 2004

Presented by SMUG Theatre and Darlinghurst Theatre Company

Sydney Morning Herald 20.03.04
"Max Lyandvert's realisation of 'I've got the Shakes' by Foreman reveals why one of the most influential international artists in contempory theatre has entrusted his body of work to this talented director/composer from Australia... every aspect of this stimulating production reflects the rigour of thought and ambitious imagination demanded by the best of avant-garde theatre"

Sun-Herald 21.03.04
"Short of making a pilgrimage to one of his annual New York productions, this is a rare opportunity to experience the flavour of Foreman's strange and knotty theatre... The intrepid, the inquisitive and the cognoscenti will be rewarded."
E-On Stage 11.03.04
"... it is fast, loud and visually confronting. It is well acted and direction from Max Lyandvert is sharp and defined... I've Got the Shakes is certainly worth seeing if you want something different.

"I've Got the Shakes" is an inventive and frenetic theatrical composition and possesses Richard Foreman's unique theatrical ability to be profoundly philosophical while sinking in the sea of B-grade banality.
Richard Foreman is the Founder/ Director of the Ontological Hysteric Theatre, and been awarded eight OBIE's, the Literature Prize from the American Academy, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Endowment for the Arts. Richard Foreman has been described as, one of the most original minds ever to grace the American theatre.
"I've Got The Shakes" is directed by Max Lyandvert, a protégé of Richard Foreman and a talented composer in his own right. He helmed 2001's successful production of Richard Foreman's "My Head was a Sledgehammer", and had further success with his own composition/ installation piece "Close Your Little Eyes" as part of the 2003 Sydney Festival.

Featuring: Kate Box, Lee Lewis, Slava Orel and Rebecca Smee
Direction and Soundtrack: Max Lyandvert

Out in the Open

by Jonathan Harvey.

February 5 - 28 2004

"Out in the Open is another fantastic production at Darlinghurst Theatre... ...Sound acting and an interesting set combine with director Pete Nettell's valid interpretation of Jonathan Harvey's play to deliver a highly polished production...Out in the Open is funny, sad, cynical and very confronting -in that it challenges the audience to assess their own notions of truth and honesty." David Martin E-Onstage / Actors Australia

"Just get along to the Darlinghurst Theatre and watch it for yourself. The production is excellent - a first-rate cast, solid writing, quality direction, and a great set... the play was fabulous. Get along pronto." SX News

Presented by Focus Theatre in association with Darlinghurst Theatre Company

The Australian premiere of the smash-hit comedy by Jonathon Harvey (Beautiful Thing), and proudly part of the 2004 New Mardi Gras program.

What would you do if you knew your best friend was having an affair - tell their boyfriend or keep it to yourself? Out in the Open: a play about love, fidelity and friendship ­ and the messy bits in between!

Tony needs to move on with his life after the death of his boyfriend Frankie six months ago. But when he brings home a cute young man, Frankie's mum and best friends can't cope.  And over one long weekend, with the drugs and booze flowing, it isn't long before everyone's secrets and lies are dragged out in the open.

Out in the Open is a contemporary comedy of manners where the unspoken speaks volumes.

"bellyachingly funny and bitchy" The Stage. "utterly irresistable"  What¹s On.

From the team that brought you the 2003 hits, Mother Clap's Molly House, Assassins and Necessary Targets.
With: Trent Atkinson, Yure Covich, Jason Langley, Alice Livingstone, Jill McKay and  Rachael Rastrick . Director: Pete Nettell. Designer: Wayne Harris. Costumes: Tim Elkington, Grant Buchanan. Lighting: Glenn Dulihanty

2004 started with a return season of the outrageously successful comedy double bill of July 03.

Five Women Wearing the Same Dress

by Alan Ball.

7 pm, January 2 - 31, 2004

Presented by Muse Theatre Company in association with Darlinghurst Theatre Company.

Directed by Christopher Houghton Assistant Director: Lauren Phitzner
Featuring: Jessica Chapnik, Anna Douglass, Irena Haze, Lyndsey Moss, Mel Rogan and Helen Stuart.

Life is like a bad Wedding...

Keeping with his trademark mix of ironic situations with sardonic dialogue, the audacious Alan Ball brings to "Five Women Wearing the Same Dress" the same quirky, oddball, humane, humorous writing that is evident in all his writing, whether it be "Six Feet Under" or "American Beauty".

During an ostentatious wedding reception at a luxurious Sydney Estate, five very reluctant, identically dressed bridesmaids hideout in an upstairs bedroom, each with her own reason to avoid the proceedings below. They discover throughout the afternoon's hilarity and hideousness a common bond, where difference is accepted and judgement is lost amongst the frills and Taffeta.

Ball has drawn five women with such uncivilized sensitivity, compassion and irreverence, it gives this piece unusual freshness and honesty.

Produced by Helen Stuart

Barnesy, The Harbour and You

by Christopher Johnson.

9pm, January 2 - 31, 2004

Presented by Phantom Limbs in association with Darlinghurst Theatre Company.

"A cruise through the gulf between men and women… a quick-edit ping-pong of repartee… tit-for-tat exchanges, powerplays and some Byzantine differences between men and women in relationships are held up to the light and revealed in all their shallow glory… Johnson writes like a cross between Harold Pinter and Jerry Seinfeld… a fun, snappy piece of enjoyable theatre." Lenny Ann Low, Sydney Morning Herald, July 29, 03.

Whether you've ever been to an office Christmas party or simply ever been on a date, this hilarious look at the war between the sexes is the perfect light summer comedy.

From Christopher Johnson, author of last year's hugely successful THE DOG LOGS, comes a very adult, very sexy contemporary comedy. Set in the pubs, offices, gyms and apartments of inner-city Sydney, and then on a cruise on Sydney Harbour, BARNESY, THE HARBOUR AND YOU takes a hilarious and very provocative look at modern urban relationships. Definitely not one for the under-15s, the nine o'clock start of this production reflects its "adult" nature… be prepared for some very steamy scenes, a smattering of adult language, and an all-round comic barrage of adult humour.  Infidelity, lust, lies and prohibited substances all add to the rapid-fire wit of this ultra fast-paced, cinematic comedy.

Featuring: Tess Bryant, Michael Cullen, Kerri Glasscock, Christopher Johnson, James Lugton and Sandra Stockley. Directed by Michael Pigott.