Bell Shakespeare 2012 Sydney Season Brochure

AT HOME WITH THE MACBETHS. A rare glimpse into their private enclave.

WHY HE DID IT. The Duchess Of Malfi Killings, first-hand.

REAL LIFE UNREAL STORIES

YOU SAID "I DO". NOW MAKE HIM GLAD YOU DID. It's open day at The School For Wives.

SEASON 2012 CONTENTS

02

AT HOME WITH THE MACBETHS.

06

WHY HE DID IT.

11

YOU SAID “I DO”.

NOW MAKE HIM GLAD YOU DID.

Collaboration is at the heart of any great season and this year John and I have put some truly great people together.

We’ve teamed up writer Justin Fleming with director Lee Lewis to bring Molière to our audiences across the country.

John and his daughter Lucy are working together again for only the second time in Bell Shakespeare’s history. Plus they’ve got great material to work with.

Hugh Colman and Ailsa Piper’s adaptation of The Duchess Of Malfi is so raw and dark. It’s incredible.

Personally, I am thrilled to finally get to work with Dan Spielman and to continue working with Kate Mulvany on a new production of Macbeth.

Seeing all of these artists come together fills me with great anticipation. It’s a big part of the joy of putting a season like this together and I am very excited to be a collaborator.

This season is all about obsession.

Expect something exciting – and extremely sexy.

ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR PETER EVANS

We’ve got two neglected classics in the line up – at least from an Australian point of view – and one of Shakespeare’s great tragedies.

Peter Evans, our talented Associate Artistic Director, will be taking on Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

His fresh approach and great respect for the text will make this a show not to miss.

We are happy to welcome Lee Lewis back into the fold. After her terrifically successful Twelfth Night she comes back to direct Molière’s engaging romp, The School For Wives. And I’m relishing the prospect of directing The Duchess Of Malfi.

Our twenty-second year looks like being one of our busiest and most rewarding ever. We hope to be seeing a lot of you.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JOHN BELL AO

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EXCLUSIVE

AT HOME WITH THE MACBETHS MACBETH Everything looks spotless after this magnificent renovation. Be takes an exclusive look.

The carefully crafted elegance of the room where the royal couple sit for photographs is serene and inviting.

It’s hard to believe it is the very same residence in which King Duncan was so brutally murdered.

The Macbeths have lived in this Queen Anne style mansion for some time but it has only recently been refurbished – and it was Lady Macbeth who led the redesign. Everywhere you look you see the deft touches of a woman.

This is the first official photo shoot since the Thane of Cawdor was crowned King of Scotland and he is proving to be an awkward subject. Ill at ease in front of the camera, Macbeth is tense under scrutiny.

A sharp contrast to his beautiful and captivating wife.

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TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD IT IS MACBETH WHO WEARS THE CROWN

Lady Macbeth looks radiant in a blouse of orange silk, which she has paired with cream high-waisted trousers. She smiles easily and the camera loves her for it.

Ranked as the most photographed woman in the world, Lady Macbeth is no stranger to publicity but very few public photographs exist of the King.

Lady Macbeth whispers something mischievously to her husband who sits stiffly on the arm of their oversized Italian sofa. He gazes down and smiles at her. It is a rarely witnessed personal exchange and for a moment the King forgets himself. He looks back to camera and at last we have our shot.

Next up we’re shooting a close-up of Lady Macbeth. She moves seamlessly to the marble fireplace and positions herself for the portrait.

She is in her element.

To the outside world it is Macbeth who wears the crown, so it does come as a surprise to see that here, in the confines of their immaculately presented home, it is the lady who is in charge.

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TRUE STORY

WHY HE DID IT THE DUCHESS OF MALFI

What happened during The Duchess Of Malfi killings?

It’s the question we’ve all been asking.

Finally, Bosola is ready to talk.

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MURDER FOUR WAYS Daniel de Bosola, the man notorious for The Duchess Of Malfi killings, is about to be released from prison. This is causing a huge public outcry. Not because he will soon be walking amongst us, but because his release coincides with the launch of his first book, Murder Four Ways.

Described as a “tell-all” of horrendous proportions, this brutal account is said to be a bloodied insight into the mind of the country’s most ruthless killer.

Specialising in high profile hits, Bosola was the “go-to guy” for anyone wanting someone stabbed, strangled or bludgeoned to death. But that’s all in the past now, apparently.

Bosola’s first week of freedom will be spent on a public reading and book signing tour. Here are a few short excerpts from his book.

ON KILLING THE DUCHESS

ON KILLING THE DUCHESS'S HUSBAND

“I had to spy on her. Then I found out she got married. Even had a kid.

That pissed the Judge off. He fancies his little sister. Didn’t want anyone else touching her. I had nothing against her myself. I killed her because her brothers paid me to.”

“Killing him was an accident.

You could call it manslaughter.

I was going for that treacherous bastard of a Cardinal and Antonio got in the way.

Collateral damage. It happens a lot more than you know.”

ON KILLING THE DUCHESS'S BROTHER

ON KILLING THE JUDGE

“I really enjoyed this one.

The Cardinal had it coming. He betrayed me, the bastard. And his sister, of course. He even betrayed his mistress. Tricked her into kissing a poisoned Bible.”

“I hated the Judge for getting me to kill his sister. Hated his guts.

But he was totally crackers in the end – thought he was a wolf-man. He ran around digging up corpses in the graveyard. He was better off dead.”

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IN STYLE

YOU SAID “I DO”.

NOW MAKE HIM GLAD YOU DID. THE SCHOOL FOR WIVES

They say clothes maketh the man but more importantly, they pleaseth a husband. Here’s an outfit or two to help every new wife dress the part.

– 11 –

Tied the knot with an older gentleman? Well start channelling your inner orphan. Think young, naive – fresh from a nunnery. The more experienced man expects you to know your place – which, of course, is in the kitchen. Steer clear of trousers. He wears those. Instead opt for dresses and skirts in pale colours and keep hem and neck lines modest.

A crisp apron adds a homely touch.

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You’re in love. He’s in love. So let's keep it that way. A clever wife knows when to make changes. Outfit changes, that is. Imagine you are on your way to a cocktail party. Lipstick and high heels are a must.

Cinch in your waist – and then cinch it in again. The occasional glimpse of décolletage works wonders – especially if your young hubby has had a long day of bread-winning.

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WHAT'S ON WHEN

MACBETH

You don’t need a reason to see a play.

You just need a ticket.

Here’s everything you need to know about the hottest tickets for 2012.

BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE DIRECTED BY PETER EVANS W/ KATE MULVANY, DAN SPIELMAN

The Macbeths are the picture of privileged nobility – happy, successful, going places.

Then Macbeth happens upon three witches who predict he will soon be King – a prophecy he distrusts but which his wife becomes utterly seduced by.

Peter Evans fulfills a long awaited ambition to collaborate with Dan Spielman in the title role and Kate Mulvany who plays his highly erotic wife. This season’s Macbeth reveals what the lure of power can do to a man, and the devastation it can wreak on a marriage and a nation.

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, DRAMA THEATRE

Subscription Season 5 April – 12 May Matinees 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 April 5,12 May Post-Show Q & A Tuesday 10 April, following the 6.30pm performance Performance Times Tuesday 6.30pm Wednesday – Saturday 7.30pm Wednesday & Saturday Matinees 2.00pm Sunday Twilight 5.00pm

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THE DUCHESS OF MALFI

THE SCHOOL FOR WIVES

BY JOHN WEBSTER ADAPTED BY HUGH COLMAN AND AILSA PIPER DIRECTED BY JOHN BELL DESIGNER STEPHEN CURTIS LIGHTING DESIGNER HARTLEY T A KEMP COMPOSER ALAN JOHN FIGHT DIRECTOR NIGEL POULTON W/ LUCY BELL, LUCIA MASTRANTONE, MATTHEW MOORE, SEAN O'SHEA, DAVID WHITNEY, BEN WOOD

BY MOLIÈRE TRANSLATED BY JUSTIN FLEMING DIRECTED BY LEE LEWIS

Young, beautiful and widowed, the Duchess of Malfi is a tragic figure of nobility and integrity.

Yet she exists in a world of corruption where the true horror of her life is yet to unfold.

Her two brothers control her fortune – and her body – and they want to keep it that way.

When they discover she has not only married in secret but has also borne a child, a string of murders is set in motion.

John Bell directs this white-hot adaptation of John Webster’s finest play.

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, PLAYHOUSE

Subscription Season 12 July – 5 August Matinees 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 July 1, 4 August Post-Show Q & A Tuesday 17 July, following the 6.30pm performance Performance Times Tuesday 6.30pm Wednesday – Saturday 7.30pm Wednesday & Saturday Matinees 2.00pm Sunday Twilight 5.00pm

Falling in love is never easy. Take our hero for instance. Now here’s a guy who wants desperately to get married but is afraid that a smart woman will cheat on him. His ingenious solution? Enlist the help of a local convent to raise a girl so stupidly innocent that she won’t know the first thing about cheating – let alone the last. In his mind she will be ever-faithful. The perfect wife. Or is she?

Following on from her success with Twelfth Night, director Lee Lewis directs this fresh new translation from Justin Fleming of Molière's comedic train-wreck of a love story that tangles innocence with arrogance – and the other way around.

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, PLAYHOUSE

Subscription Season 26 October – 24 November Matinees 27, 31 October 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24 November Performance Times Tuesday 6.30pm Wednesday – Saturday 7.30pm Wednesday & Saturday Matinees 2.00pm Sunday Twilight 5.00pm

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SOMETHING TO GIVE On stage, Bell Shakespeare give it their all.

Off stage, they give even more.

But ticket revenue alone is not enough.

Bell Shakespeare is the only Australian theatre company to tour its productions, year in and year out. And not just to audiences in big cities, but to people in outlying areas too. They know the next generation of actors, directors and avid Shakespeare lovers can come from anywhere.

This year, they’re asking their audiences to consider adding a donation to their subscriptions to help bridge the gap between box office receipts and the cost of their productions.

Every donation over $2 is tax-deductible and they appreciate all gifts, no matter what size.

Bell Shakespeare tour their shows and Learning programmes with passion and commitment.

They bring theatre to those both socially and geographically disadvantaged. It’s their mission to reach out, entertain, teach and inspire audiences and students, wherever they might be. But ticket sales alone are not enough.

To find out more you can go to their website, bellshakespeare.com.au/support or you can contact their Philanthropy department directly.

Ruth Anders is the Philanthropy Manager and can be reached on 02 8298 9017 or rutha@bellshakespeare.com.au.

You’ll be surprised to know that the real price of a ticket is more than double the prices quoted on the facing page. After ticket revenue, the balance of funds needed to create and tour these extraordinary works is provided by private and government support.

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BELL SEASON PACKAGES SAVE UP TO $60 See three of the hottest performances this year and get a whole lot more thrown into the bargain.

Your Bell Season Package includes: – Up to $60 off when you buy three full price tickets.

– Up to $32 off when you buy two full price tickets.

– The best seats in the house – first in, best-dressed.

– Priority seating for additional tickets.

– One free ticket exchange per production.

– Access to discounted pre-paid programme vouchers.

– A behind-the-scenes look at what we’re up to with a free subscription to Fanfare.

You can also opt into our Bell Shakespeare e-newsletter featuring the latest special offers and events throughout the year.

From purchase to performance the Bell Shakespeare team will be there to help. They’ll manage all aspects of your ticketing and answer any questions you might have about our shows, artists, ticket exchanges, options for dinner and parking.

PURCHASE YOUR BELL SEASON PACKAGE NOW Online bellshakespeare.com.au Post Complete the attached form and post to 2012 Season Bell Shakespeare Reply Paid 10, Millers Point NSW 2000 (no postage stamp required)

Fax to 02 9241 4643 Telephone 1300 305 730 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm) Remember that if you are requesting a concession or Optus Under 30 Package or additional tickets, you must supply photocopied proof of eligibility with your booking form.

Questions? Call the Bell Shakespeare team on 1300 305 730.

THREE-PLAY PACKAGES SAVE UP TO $60 STANDARD: Three-play Bell Season Package Full price $148 / Concession $138

Choose from Sunday to Friday evening performances or any matinee. Save up to $60 off single ticket prices with access to priority seating.

SATURDAY EVENING: Three-play Bell Season Package Full price $185 / Concession $165

Get the best seats on Saturday nights (when our shows sell out) and enjoy savings of up to $38 off single ticket prices.

OPTUS UNDER 30: Three-play Bell Season Package Standard $99 / Saturday Evening $138 A special offer for patrons under the age of 30 at the time

of booking, these Bell Season Packages give you access to the Standard and Saturday Evening Three-Play Bell Season Packages at Optus Under 30 prices.

TWO-PLAY PACKAGES SAVE UP TO $32 STANDARD: Two-play Bell Season Package Full price $108 / Concession $98

Choose two performances on a Sunday to Friday evening or any matinee and save up to $32 on full-price tickets.

SATURDAY EVENING: Two-play Bell Season Package Full price $130 / Concession $118

Choose two Saturday evening performances (when our shows sell out) and enjoy savings of up to $21 on full-price tickets.

OPTUS UNDER 30: Two-play Bell Season Package Standard $66 / Saturday Evening $90 A special offer for patrons under the age of 30 at the time

of booking, these Bell Season Packages give you access to the Standard and Saturday Evening Two-Play Bell Season Packages at Optus Under 30 prices.

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DEAR Be. If you've got a question, we've got the answer.

Here's ten of our most frequently asked.

DO I NEED TO FILL OUT THE COMPANION DETAILS?

AM I ELIGIBLE FOR A CONCESSION?

If you are buying for other people, we’d like to provide them with the same benefits as you. If there’s not enough space on the form, please provide a separate piece of paper with your companion’s details. That way they’ll receive Fanfare and have access to exclusive offers throughout the year.

The concession price is available to full-time students, Seniors or current holders of a means-tested Australian pension (Aged Disability, Veterans’ Affairs, Supporting Parent). Proof of eligibility must be provided with the booking form.

CAN I SIT WITH MY FRIENDS?

WHAT IS OPTUS UNDER 30?

Of course! Simply enclose your forms in the same envelope or fax them in together.

A discount for theatre-goers who are under 30 years of age at the time of booking. Proof of age must be supplied when booking. Identification may also be required on admission to the theatre. Subject to availability, with a limit of four tickets per transaction.

CAN I PURCHASE ADDITIONAL TICKETS?

You can purchase additional tickets for family and friends for the same performances you have selected for your Bell Season Package and you’ll be seated together.

HOW DO I BUY A BELL SEASON PACKAGE OR TICKETS AS A GIFT?

Gift vouchers can be arranged by calling us on 1300 305 730 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm).

WHAT IS THE TRANSACTION FEE?

There is a single fee of $6 per booking form to cover postage and handling, no matter how many Bell Season Packages or tickets you purchase, or how you pay for them.

WHAT IF I LOSE MY TICKETS?

Please contact the Bell Shakespeare team on 1300 305 730 and let us know. You’ll be asked to visit the Sydney Opera House Box Office on the day of your performance (from one hour before the show) and they will issue you with a lost ticket voucher.

HOW CAN I EXCHANGE MY TICKETS? You receive one (1) free ticket exchange per production

with your Bell Season Package. All other exchanges are $6 per transaction. To exchange your tickets, please return them with a note indicating your new date selection to 2012 Season, Bell Shakespeare, PO Box 10, Millers Point NSW 2000. Tickets must be received

by Bell Shakespeare at least two (2) working days before the original performance date. Any exchange is subject to availability.

WHEN WILL SINGLE TICKETS GO ON SALE? Monday 5 March 2012.

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THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS LEADING PARTNERS

COMMUNITY PARTNERS The following organisations, trusts and foundations are supporting our national education and creative programmes:

National Education & Youth Partner

Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation Pratt Foundation Ian Potter Foundation J S Love Trust IOOF Foundation Scully Fund The Trust Company atf Archer Trust James N Kirby Foundation Collier Charitable Fund

Regional Communities Partner

MAJOR PARTNERS

NSW Education Partner

Official Wellbeing Partner

Leadership Partner

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

WA Season Partner The School For Wives

GOVERNMENT PARTNERS

Special Projects Partner

Bell Shakespeare is assisted by the NSW Government through Arts NSW.

Bell Shakespeare is assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

COMPANY PARTNERS

Special Event Partner

Special Event Partner

Accommodation Partner

Legal Partner

Community Partner

Public Affairs Advisors

The Australian Government is proud to be associated with Bell Shakespeare through the national performing arts touring programme, Playing Australia, which gives Australians across the country the opportunity to see some of our best performing arts.

Bell Shakespeare Learning is assisted by the NSW Government through the NSW Department of Education and Training.

I

Sydney Restaurant Partner

Creative Partner

Designed by Moon Communications Group Photography by Chris Ireland Production by Welcome to the Pool Styling by Natasha Harrison Clothing and accessories by Nicola Finetti, Sara Phillips, Day birger et Mikkelsen, Mezi jewellery, MAN jewellery, Fleur wood, One small leap, Karen Millen

WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE BUT KNOW NOT WHAT WE MAY Be. Hamlet Act 4, Scene 5