The Australian premiere of JELLYFISH by BEN WEATHERILL at the New Theatre.
“I know what people say. How they treat us. But that’s their problem.
No one else should give a f*ck.”
This radical, humorous and heartfelt love story with a difference, a tender exploration of what living with disability really entails, is currently playing at New Theatre until 1 July, and audiences are loving it!
A rare gem of a play” Evening Standard
First produced in London at the small indie Bush Theatre in 2018, the production transferred to the much-higher profile National Theatre the following year. Now, New Theatre is thrilled to be presenting the Australian premiere.
Weatherill’s script is bursting with laugh-out loud punchlines, and an earthy, sexy humour which cleverly manages to undercut all the misconceptions we might have about living with disability. But it offers no easy answers. “It might make people uncomfortable,” he says. And indeed, the play faces head-on the questions of consent, power and agency that lie at its core.
The cast includes actor and disability advocate Audrey O’Connor, playing the central role of Kelly, a young woman living with Down syndrome and falling in love. Sharing the stage with her are Siobhan Lawless as her gutsy, loving, frightened mother Agnes; recent WAAPA graduate Joseph Tanti as her love-interest Neil; and Daniel MacKenzie as Dominic, a neuro-diverse young man set up on a blind date with Kelly, who ultimately becomes her friend.
The comedy is delicately written, the show is engrossing, with a generosity that proves touching in key moments.” Suzy Goes See
Full details here
CREATIVE TEAM
Director Deborah Jones
Set Designer James Smithers
Lighting & Sound Designer Michael Schell
Costume Designer Louise Fischer
Assistant Director Olivia Bartha
Vocal Coach Linda Nicholls-Gidley
Intimacy Director Shondelle Pratt
Stage Manager Rosane McNamara
Operator James Hewish
Cast Siobhan Lawless, Daniel MacKenzie,
Audrey O’Connor, Joseph Tanti
SEASON
Until 1 July 2023
PERFORMANCES
Thursdays – Saturdays 7:30pm
Sundays 5pm
Saturday 1 July 2pm only
TICKETS
Full $35
Concessions, Groups (6+) $30
Thrifty Thursdays $22
Production photography by the mercurial veteran theatre photographer Bob Seary
OUR FRIENDS AT THE NEW THEATRE ARE OFFERING SYDNEY ARTS GUIDE READERS $15 TICKETS TO SEE THIS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED SHOW. THERE ARE NO ONLINE BOOKINGS FOR THIS OFFER, JUST GO TO THE BOX OFFICE AND TELL THEM YOU WANT THE $15 SYDNEY ARTS GUIDE PROMOTION TICKET. THERE IS NO COMPETITION IN REGARDS TO THIS PROMOTION. JUST TURN UP AND ENJOY THE PERFORMANCE.