SEASON 2012
STEP INSIDE OUR 2012 LAWLER STUDIO SEASON Five stunning plays, the sharpest theatrical talents working their magic, and every seat close to the action. Set fire to your imagination in the Lawler Studio and let these works lay bare the joy, heartbreak, laughter and complexities of contemporary life.
MTC presents a production by The Escapists
BOY GIRL WALL
by Matthew Ryan and Lucas Stibbard
‘Tightly structured, funny and ultimately quite touching’ The Australian
Side-by-side in a leafy suburb, Thom lives in one flat, Alethea in another. It’s pretty clear that their respective unsatisfying lives would improve enormously if they just met each other. But with a wall literally between them, this seems highly improbable. After three sell-out seasons in Brisbane, this quirky and fast-paced one-man show hits Melbourne. Helpmann Award nominee Lucas Stibbard transforms between boy, girl, wall and countless other animate and inanimate characters, using imagery and music to create a charming and whimsical world. Cast Lucas Stibbard Realisers Matthew Ryan, Lucas Stibbard, Neridah Waters and Sarah Winter Designer Jonathon Oxlade Lighting Designer Keith Clark Musician Neridah Waters Preview 17 Apr In Season 18 Apr to 3 May Times Tues to Fri 7.30pm
This production is also part of MTC’s 2012 Education Season Contains strong language
ON THE PRODUCTION OF MONSTERS by Robert Reid
‘Robert Reid is a genuine talent … he goes from strength to strength’ Arts Hub
Ben is a true Melbourne hipster, plugged into the city and giving off ‘cool’ like some retro air-conditioner. His girlfriend Shari cares more about environmental causes than the quality of the coffee, but they are a pretty good match. Yet when an innocent interview with a local paper blows up into a national scandal, the two of them discover that they are just babes in the wood. In this age of story-hungry journalism, can we trust what we read? Or have we unknowingly taken the hand of the media monster? On the Production of Monsters displays all the biting wit and caustic humour for which Melbourne playwright Robert Reid’s work is best known. Cast Virginia Gay and James Saunders Director Clare Watson Set and Costume Designer Andrew Bailey Lighting Designer Richard Vabre Composer Kelly Ryall Preview 23 to 24 May In Season 26 May to 9 Jun Times Mon to Fri 7.30pm, Sat 3pm & 7.30pm, Wed matinee 6 Jun 2pm
Contains adult themes and strong language
THE GOLDEN DRAGON by Roland Schimmelpfennig translated by David Tushingham
‘The Golden Dragon is [an] astonishing piece of stage writing’ The Globe and Mail
In the cramped kitchen of The Golden Dragon, a tooth is wrenched from the mouth of a young illegal immigrant. As the tooth flies through the air and lands in a bowl of Thai soup, the drama in the kitchen comes to the boil. Amidst the hunt for the lost incisor and the calls of food orders, the stories of the local residents bubble to the surface of this innovative play. In acclaimed German playwright Roland Schimmelpfennig’s The Golden Dragon, men are played by women, women by men, young characters by old actors and old characters by young actors. The results are poetic, brutal, mysterious and touching. Cast includes Dana Miltins Director Daniel Clarke Set and Costume Designer Andrew Bailey Lighting Designer Emma Valente Preview 20 to 21 Jun In Season 23 Jun to 7 Jul Times Mon to Fri 7.30pm, Sat 3pm & 7.30pm, Wed matinee 27 Jun 2pm
Contains adult themes and strong language
MTC in association with Real TV presents
HELICOPTER by Angela Betzien
‘The Betzien-Cáceres collaboration represents much of the best new theatre that has emerged …’ The Courier Mail
Jack’s mum is constantly on her guard, hovering over him, keeping an eye out for risk and danger. Though not the sort of danger their young neighbour Thomas lived through in the warzone of Southern Sudan, nor the danger raised by Jack’s dad reversing his luxury 4x4 out of their drive. Following a sell-out season and rave reviews for The Dark Room in Sydney, comes award-winning playwright Angela Betzien’s latest work. Commissioned by MTC, this dark suburban satire is so familiar, it’s scary. Cast includes Daniela Farinacci, Charles E. C. Grounds and Terry Yeboah Director Leticia Cáceres Composer Pete Goodwin (The Sweats) In Season 2 Aug to 17 Aug Times Tues to Fri 7.30pm
This play was commissioned by MTC and developed with the assistance of Playwriting Australia. This production is also part of MTC’s 2012 Education Season Contains adult themes and strong language
HAPPY ENDING by Melissa Reeves
‘Reeves is one of our most accomplished playwrights’ Theatre Notes
Louise is in her forties, happily married (more or less) and fairly content with her life. So why has she developed a desperate and passionate crush on her Chinese masseur? Months of daily manipulations have brought her neither release from her infatuation nor any closer to consummating it. The young man has her in his grip. From the writer of Malthouse Theatre’s critically-acclaimed Furious Mattress and The Spook, Melissa Reeves’ Happy Ending is a comedy about desire and misguided obsession. Cast includes Keith Brockett, Fanny Hanusin and Gareth Yuen Director Susie Dee Set and Costume Designer Andrew Bailey Composer Ian Moorhead Preview 5 to 6 Sept In Season 8 to 22 Sept Times Mon to Fri 7.30pm, Sat 3pm & 7.30pm, Wed matinee 19 Sept 2pm
This play was commissioned by MTC thanks to support from the Joan and Peter Clemenger Trust. This play was developed thanks to support from The Cybec Foundation. Contains adult themes and strong language
BOOKING INFORMATION LAWLER PACKAGES – BUNDLE AND SAVE Bundle three or more plays together into a Lawler Package and you’ll enjoy a range of great benefits, including: 1.
Terrific savings. You’ll save up to 20% off the cost of buying tickets individually. For example, if you’re under 30 you’ll pay only $20 per play.
2. A drink on us. Book before 5 April and we’ll send you a drink voucher to enjoy at your first show. You can find further details below. 3. Nights out with friends. Our Lawler shows are an ideal excuse for a night out with friends. Most finish around 9pm so you can head out for a drink and a debrief after the show. 4. Securing your tickets. When word gets out, our hit shows sell out, but you’ll have the tickets to the show and date you want already locked away. 5. Enriching your life. A great play can make you think, laugh or cry. Our Lawler productions will heighten these emotions, placing you in the thick of the action in our intimate studio space.
EARLY-BIRD OFFER Submit your Lawler Package booking form before 5 April and enjoy a drink on us. To welcome you to our 2012 Lawler Studio Season we will send you a complimentary drink voucher for each package purchased.
PACKAGE PRICES
Under 30 MTC Subscriber Concession* Adult
3-PLAY PACKAGE
4-PLAY PACKAGE
5-PLAY PACKAGE
60 90 90 105
80 120 120 140
100 150 150 175
HOW TO BOOK Fill out the enclosed booking form and: 1. Post to MTC Lawler, PO Box 918, South Melbourne VIC 3205 2. Drop off at the MTC Theatre Box Office 140 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank 3006 3. Email to lawler@mtc.com.au
INDIVIDUAL SHOWS You can also purchase tickets to individual Lawler shows. PRICES
HOW TO BOOK
Under 30: $25 MTC Subscriber: $35 Concession: $35* Adult: $40
1. Online at mtc.com.au 2. Call 03 8688 0800 3. Visit the MTC Theatre Box Office
Note: a booking fee of $5 applies to each transaction when booking individual show tickets online or by phone.
* Concession prices are available to pensioners and full-time students with appropriate identification.
SHOW INFORMATION DATES AND TIMES Please see each play page for dates and times. Note: some variations apply – see mtc.com.au for a more detailed performance schedule.
LAWLER STUDIO The Lawler Studio is a flexible space within the MTC Theatre, with seating for around 150 people; perfect for performances of an intimate scale. All seating is general admission.
GETTING THERE The MTC Theatre is located at 140 Southbank Boulevard, on the corner of Dodds Street. The theatre is serviced by several trams and it is an easy 10-minute walk from Flinders Street Station. There are also several car parks servicing the Melbourne Arts Precinct.
S ST DER FLIN
FEDERATION SQUARE
STATION
YARRA RIVER
ALEX AND ER A VE
D YR CIT
BAN K
VCA ST
S ST
ST NT GRA
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PO W ER
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BLVD
D AR ILD ST K
SOU TH
A/c No (if known):
Postcode:
Full-time student – Card No:
Mob/Phone:
Last Name:
Under 30
Happy Ending
Helicopter
The Golden Dragon
On the Production of Monsters
Boy Girl Wall
NO. OF TICKETS
2ND PREFERENCE (eg 29/05/12 7.30pm)
1ST PREFERENCE (eg 22/05/12 7.30pm)
Please nominate which productions you would like to attend and indicate the number of tickets required per production
STEP TWO: The Productions
Pensioner – Card No:
First Name:
Concession eligibility:
Email:
Suburb:
Address:
Title:
If applicable: MTC 2012 Subscriber
Note: please provide additional household details (as per below) for any person who lives at a different address. You can include this information on a separate piece of paper, or on an additional booking form available at mtc.com.au.
STEP ONE: Individual/Household Details
LAWLER PACKAGE BOOKING FORM
✁
Under 30* @90
@90
@60
3-PLAY PACKAGE
@120
@120
@80
4-PLAY PACKAGE
@175 $
@150 $
@150 $
@100 $
5-PLAY PACKAGE
2012 MTC Subscriber
@140
STEP THREE: Package Size
Concession* (full-time students and pensioners)
@105
$
Adult
Amount $
Grand Total $
If you like, please round-up the total as a kind donation (donations over $2 are tax deductable)
STEP FOUR: Method of Payment Diners
Expires
Contact Number (Day)
Cheque enclosed and made payable to Melbourne Theatre Company Credit card to be charged in full now Visa Mastercard Amex Credit card number Name as appears on card Signature
Thank you. Please post to MTC Lawler, PO Box 918, South Melbourne VIC 3205 or email to lawler@mtc.com.au.
3713
3714
3715
3716
TOTAL $
/
*A ll concession card holders must provide proof of concession entitlement that is valid at the time of booking. For example full-time students must provide proof of enrolment and Under 30s require proof of age. If not provided, tickets will be held for collection at the MTC Theatre Box Office. Office use only:
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OTHER ACTIVITIES AT THE LAWLER STUDIO The Lawler Studio is used throughout the year for a variety of activities, programs and events, which include:
THE CYBEC PLAY READINGS MTC’s Cybec Readings are designed to road-test new plays to aid and enrich their progress. The readings also give audiences the chance to see fresh new works in their infancy and play a part in their development. MTC will present three play readings this November. Full details will be available mid-year.
RESIDENCIES In 2012 MTC is offering independent companies and artists three residencies of two weeks duration within the Lawler Studio. The aim of the residencies is to provide a space for artists to develop their work.
LEARN MORE For more information visit mtc.com.au or call 03 8688 0800. To learn more about our Lawler Studio activities join the conversation online:
Image credits: Boy Girl Wall © Justine Walpole and La Boite Theatre Company, pictured Lucas Stibbard; On the Production of Monsters © Dain Fagerholm/Getty Images; The Golden Dragon © Helena Turinski; Helicopter © Lydia Baic, Fraser Marsden, pictured Charles E. C. Grounds; Happy Ending © Helena Turinski Details in this brochure are correct at the time of publication. MTC reserves the right to add, withdraw and substitute artists and vary the program should the need arise.
ENQUIRIES The MTC Theatre Box Office 140 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank Vic 3006 03 8688 0800 mtc.com.au MTC is a department of The University of Melbourne