Beyond Desire: World Premiere Musical for Hayes
Loosely based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet and E.M Foster’s novel Maurice, the World Premiere of Beyond Desire – ‘A Modern Edwardian Musical of Murder and Mystery’ - is playing at Hayes Theatre Co from Friday, 21 November - Sunday 14 December 2014.
The year is 1910. Anthony, having recently graduated from university, is touring Italy when he receives a telegram from his mother. Anthony returns to England to find that his father has been discovered dead in a hotel in London. Suspecting a deeper motive than that uncovered by the police, Anthony, with the help of his college friend James, begins to unravel the mystery behind the death; a discovery which embroils the whole family and household in a riveting story of passion, jealousy, love and deception.
Beyond Desire will be directed by British director Neil Rutherford and will star some of Australia’s leading musical theatre artists. Blake Bowden South Pacific, Mario, David Bulters Much Ado About Nothing, South Pacific, Chloe Dallimore The Producers, The Addams Family, Ross Hannaford King Kong, A Chorus Line. Nancye Hayes Sweeney Todd, Chicago, Annie, one of Australian musical theatre's true triple threats and Christy Sullivan Spring Awakening, The Mousetrap.
“I’m so thrilled to present the World Premiere of Beyond Desire in Australia at Hayes Theatre Co,” said Mr Rutherford. “I feel content that all the right elements have aligned together; the most perfectly brilliant cast, an exciting new venue and a piece which finds itself having delicately matured over the years following several workshops and readings. There is absolutely a place for every style of musical for today’s audiences, but Kieran and I have specifically written Beyond Desire, our third musical together, to be the antithesis of the high octane, large scale International musicals. We hope that the sensitive intimacy and ensemble nature of Beyond Desire will enthrall and excite audiences who value interesting new musical theatre and it’s ability to challenge and reward them with its material, gripping storyline and outstanding performances.
“I have no doubt that Beyond Desire will continue the excellent work recently seen at the Hayes Theatre Co, and with our wonderful creative team and cast will provide our audiences with an enchanting and enjoyable evening of period opulence and intriguing storytelling, “continued Mr Rutherford.
The musical score is written by Kieran Drury with book and lyrics by Neil Rutherford and is an intimate piece of musical theatre aiming to enthuse and excite a wide range of theatre goers. It is an ensemble book musical with a cast of eight, and - for the Sydney World Premiere - an orchestra of six consisting of piano, violin, cello, harp, clarinet and horn. The musical style has a contemporary musical theatre feel, but is inspired by the writings of composers of the period, including Elgar, Ravel, Debussy and Grainger
The Edwardian period provides an extraordinary backdrop for this enthralling story at a time when the murder mystery was a popular genre both in literature and theatre. Following on from the traditions of the Victoria Penny Dreadful, and the huge increase in literacy, many would take home salacious stories of family intrigue, murder, revenge and ghosts. In the theatre, the likes of George Bernard Shaw and J.B Preistley were also challenging prejudices of politics, class, family values, marriage and the rights of women. Beyond Desire aims to capture some of these themes and throughout the musical, twists and surprises provide tension and suspense as the intriguing mystery surrounding Edward’s death evolves. Encapsulating the universal ideas of love, class, family intrigue, and deception, the musical also concentrates on less familiar themes of incest and forbidden love, as well as a great deal of humour from the misunderstandings of household life ‘upstairs and downstairs’. With the current popularity of period TV Dramas such as Downton Abbey, Upstairs Downstairs, A Place to Call Home and Mr Selfridge we hope we will allow the audience to escape into a period genre which is evocative and sensual, but simultaneously modern in it’s telling.
Hayes Theatre Co is a dedicated music theatre and cabaret venue in Potts Point. Named for Australian musical theatre legend, Nancye Hayes OAM, Hayes Theatre Co honours and builds on the vast history of Australian Musical Theatre and its practitioners. This not-for-profit venue is managed by Independent Music Theatre, a collaborative partnership focusing on providing a permanent home for small-scale musical theatre and cabaret. By providing venue space to newly mounted productions, Hayes Theatre Co, will be a presenting partner together with independent producers and artists. Hayes Theatre Co is made possible through the City of Sydney's Accommodation Grant Program.
Beyond Desire
Hayes Theatre Co,
19 Greenknowe Ave Potts Point
Dates: November 21 – December 13
Media Night Wednesday November 26
Gala Opening Night Thursday November 27
Times: Tuesday - Saturday 7.30pm; Saturday 2.30pm; Sunday 3.00pm
Tickets: Adult $55.00*
Bookings: www.hayestheatre.com.auor phone 02 8065 7337
*including booking fees