Darlinghurst Theatre Company Season 2015

Darlinghurst Theatre Company has announced its 2015 program at the Eternity Playhouse, showcasing an Australian premiere and three Sydney premieres.

The season kicks off with Gaybies presented as part of the 2015 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Then, Broadway’s longest running comedy-thriller Deathtrap, followed by the Sydney premiere of the sexy and provocative Venus in Fur, and the Australian premiere of the award-winning dark comedy Detroit. Anthony Skuse directs two intimate one-act plays that delve into the heart of modern relationships in Ride & Fourplay and rounding off the season is Nick Enright’s gripping drama Good Works directed by Iain Sinclair.

Darlinghurst Theatre Company Executive Producer Glenn Terry wants audiences to experience the power of artist driven theatre. “Outstanding artists given reign to work in the way they choose, and to tell the stories they feel most inspired by, is the recipe for a powerful and exciting season of theatre,” he said.

“For me, artist driven theatre is where it’s at, you just can’t beat it. And our 2015 season will beautifully demonstrate this.”

GAYBIES

Written and directed by Dean Bryant

6 February – 8 March

A funny and moving piece of real-life theatre, Gaybies was first performed as a moved read at Midsumma Festival in 2013. This Sydney premiere is presented as part of the 2015 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Gaybiestells the story of children who have grown up with gay parents. Drawn straight from interviews with children aged four to forty, these are authentic accounts of family life told with humour, honesty and wisdom.

DEATHTRAP

Written by Ira Levin | Directed by Jo Turner

10 April – 10 May

From Ira Levin, author of The Stepford Wives, Rosemary’s Baby and The Boys from Brazil, Deathtrap was one of the longest running plays on Broadway. Written in 1978, director Jo Turner will revive this masterful thriller for a modern audience.

Celebrated playwright Sidney Bruhl is in the grip of chronic writer’s block. With another flop on his hands he’s running out of inspiration – and cash. When a young writer sends Sidney the script for his brilliant new whodunit, Sidney devises a plan to claim it as his own. 


VENUS IN FUR

Written by David Ives | Directed by Grace Barnes

29 May – 5 July

David Ives’ Broadway hit Venus in Fur gets its Sydney Premiere.

Thomas is a director struggling to cast the female lead in his new play based on the classic sadomasochistic novel Venus in Furs. Into Thomas’ audition room blows a street smart, straight talking actor who displays an uncanny command of the material. As the audition progresses, the line between play and reality blurs, and director and auditionee enter into an increasingly high-stakes game of submission and domination.

DETROIT

Written by Lisa D’Amour | Directed by Ross McGregor

17 July – 16 August


Detroit won the Obie Award for Best New American Play in 2013 and Darlinghurst Theatre Company will present the Australian Premiere of this fiery comedy.

Ben and Mary live in a decaying suburb hard hit by economic downturn. He’s lost his job and she’s discovered alcohol. They fire up the barbeque to welcome the arrival of new neighbours; a couple broke and fresh out of rehab. As the night wears on confessions are shared, inhibitions are shed and bacchanalia ensues.


RIDE & FOURPLAY

Written by Jane Bodie | Directed by Anthony Skuse

4 September – 4 October

Two acutely observed and richly human one-act plays that delve into the heart of modern relationships.

In Ride, two strangers wake up in bed together, naked and hung over, with no idea how they got there. Through hazily reconstructed memories, they begin to make sense of what may – or may not – have happened between them.

Fourplay is a serendipitous story about four city dwellers finding intimacy, friendship and love in unlikely places.

GOOD WORKS

Written by Nick Enright | Directed by Iain Sinclair

30 October – 29 November


Iain Sinclair directs a timely revival of Nick Enright’s masterful Australian story, Good Works, an enthralling memory play set across several decades and three generations. Centred on two boyhood friends whose family histories shape them as men, this is a tale of past crimes and misdemeanours, and innocence lost.


SPECIAL EVENT: THIS HOUSE IS MINE

A Milk Crate Theatre production presented by Darlinghurst Theatre Company

Written by Maree Freeman | Directed by Paige Rattray

12 March – 22 March

In 2000 Darlinghurst Theatre Company and Wesley Mission’s Edward Eagar Lodge created and launched an initiative for Sydney’s homeless and disadvantaged people called Milk Crate Theatre. In 2011, Milk Crate Theatre became a theatre company in its own right and Darlinghurst Theatre Company is proud to present their latest production, This House is Mine in 2015.

This House Is Mine journeys through dark and beautiful territory to explore the relationship we have with our most precious possession – our mind. A tapestry of surprising encounters weaves stories of hope, escape and resilience, created and performed by an Ensemble of Artists who have experienced homelessness and social marginalisation.

www.darlinghursttheatre.com

Eternity Playhouse is located on the corner of Burton and Palmer Streets at 39 Burton Street, Darlinghurst.

Bookings

Season and single tickets are on sale from 10am on Tuesday 14 October. Tickets $30-$45.

Visitwww.darlinghursttheatre.com or call 02 8356 9987 (9.30am-5.30pm weekdays).


Transport & Parking

Eternity Playhouse is conveniently located close to public transport links. Discounted parking is available at the Riley Street Secure Parking Station.

Accessibility

Eternity Playhouse is an accessible venue. Please call the Box Office on 02 8356 9987 or visit the website for more information.

Images (from top): Ride and Fourplay, Detroit and Good Works. Photographer: Helen White.