Mark Kilmurry, Artistic Director, Ensemble Theatre is thrilled to announce the 2021 Season which, says Kilmurry, will be a season of 10 exceptional shows by the best Australian and international playwrights including 3 special events with theatre legends.
“We’re elated to open our theatre so people can experience the thrill of live theatre again in a Covid safe environment and enjoy 7 plays with thirty of Australia’s finest actors. We’re also joining forces with Sydney Festival to present the very funny KENNY, adapted from the modern classic Australian film for the stage by Steve Rodgers. Steve gives the eternally optimistic plumber a new lease of life on stage”, said Mark Kilmurry.
“We are pleased to be bringing back OUTDATED, a play which delves into the trials and tribulations of middle age dating, KILLING KATIE: CONFESSIONS OF A BOOK CLUB, which puts female friendships to the ultimate test, THE WOMAN IN BLACK, perfectly spooky for Ensemble’s intimate stage and HONOUR which explores the complexities of modern relationships.
“New for 2021 is the Premiere of ART with The Chaser’s Andrew Hansen, Craig Reucassel and Chris Taylor who make a splash when the interpretation of modern art causes a rift and David Williamson’s NEARER THE GODS which thrillingly explores the human fallibility that risked the discovery of one of science’s greatest advancements, Newton’s laws of motion”, added Mark Kilmurry.
2021 will also see three cabaret events with Trevor Ashley, John Bell, Todd McKenney and Nancye Hayes.
SEASON 2021:
KENNY BY THE JACOBSON BROTHERS
ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY STEVE RODGERS
DIRECTED BY MARK KILMURRY
15 JAN – 27 FEB
WORLD PREMIERE
Meet Kenny, a fearless Aussie plumber and eternal optimist who looks for the best in every situation – even when his job is literally down the toilet. The hilarious Ben Wood (THE BIG TIME) steps into overalls and pulls on the rubber gloves for this quirky adaptation of the much-loved Australian film.
OUTDATED BY MARK KILMURRY
DIRECTED BY MARK KILMURRY
5 MAR – 17 APR
BY MARK KILMURRY
WORLD PREMIERE
Diving back into the dating pool in your 40’s is a scary prospect. This bittersweet comedy navigates the highs and lows of modern dating.
HONOUR BY JOANNA MURRAY-SMITH
DIRECTED BY KATE CHAMPION
23 APR – 5 JUN
Explore the depths of human frailty and our capacity to love in this modern Australian classic. Cracks appear in a seemingly unbreakable marriage when a tenacious young writer enters the scene, bringing to light intergenerational differences and a wrenchingly honest look at sex and relationships.
THE WOMAN IN BLACK BY SUSAN HILL AND STEPHEN MALLATRAT
DIRECTED BY MARK KILMURRY
11 JUN – 24 JUL
Prepare for scares in a gripping ghost story perfect for Ensemble’s intimate stage. This spine-chiller, one of the longest running plays in West End history, will have you watching through your fingers.
KILLING KATIE: CONFESSIONS OF A BOOK CLUB BY TRACEY TRINDER
DIRECTED BY FRANCESCA SAVIGE
30 JUL – 11 SEP
WORLD PREMIERE
When former Queen Bee of the book club Robyn publishes her first novel, the truth about the death of her nemesis, Katie, begins to unravel. Female friendships are tested in this laugh-out-loud, brutally honest, new comedy.
ART BY YASMINA REZA
TRANSLATED BY CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON
DIRECTED BY MARK KILMURRY
17 SEP – 30 OCT
Successful dermatologist Serge has a penchant for modern art – and he’s got the receipt to prove it. After forking out an outrageous sum of money for an obscure painting, he is desperate to show it off to his friends Marc and Yvan. But where Serge sees a masterpiece, Marc sees money out the window and Yvan can’t make up his mind. Divided by the canvas, a wicked battle of wits unfolds threatening to unravel their friendship as insults become personal. This Tony Award-winning comedy paints a side-splitting portrait of the meaning of art and friendship.
NEARER THE GODS BY DAVID WILLIAMSON
DIRECTED BY JANINE WATSON
5 NOV – 24 DEC
Petty politics, inflated egos and fierce rivalries almost jeopardise one of the greatest discoveries in human advancement: Sir Isaac Newton’s laws of motion. With his trademark wit and sharp observations, David Williamson exposes the abrasive personalities of revered scientific giants – even geniuses are not infallible.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
TREVOR ASHLEY
DIVA DEGUSTATION
21 MAR – 29 MAR
JOHN BELL
AND ANOTHER THING
15 AUG – 22 AUG
THE CASTING COUCH
WITH TODD MCKENNEY AND NANCYE HAYES
17 OCT – 24 OCT
Featured image : Mark Kilmurry, Artistic Director, the Ensemble Theatre. Pic Prudence Upton