Gamut Theatre Co is proud to present The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, by Pulitzer Prize-winner Stephen Adly Guirgis. In this darkly funny court room drama, history’s most infamous betrayal is dissected by forces of good and evil. Set in a grubby corner of Purgatory called Hope, that owes as much to the ghetto as the Gospels, this hilarious, poignant and provocative piece challenges ideas of faith, redemption and humanity.
Was Judas Iscariot the most duplicitous traitor in history? Or a misunderstood pawn in God’s greater plan? In his 2005 play, Pulitzer Prize-winner Stephen Adly Guirgis puts Judas on trial against God and the Kingdom of Heaven and Earth. By turns, a cast of biblical and historical characters – from Mary Magdalene to Sigmund Freud – assemble in a contemporary urban courtroom to contest the world’s most infamous act of betrayal.
Stephen Adly Guirgis is best known for his critically acclaimed Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train (Donmar Warehouse, West End and Off-Broadway), and In Arabia We’d All Be Kings (Hampstead Theatre). He is an American playwright, screenwriter, director, and actor and member and a former co-artistic director of New York City’s LAByrinth Theater Company. His plays have been produced both Off-Broadway and on Broadway as well as in the UK. His play Between Riverside and Crazy won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Directed by well known Sydney director and acting teacher Glen Hamilton, the cast includes Edgar Antonio Atienza, Nicole Florio, David Hodgkins, Melinda Jensen, Erica Nelson, Stephanie Reeves, Hugo Schlanger, James Sugrue, Paula Williams and Mark J. Wilson.
Director, Glen Hamilton described The Last Days of Judas Iscariot as “a rare beast of a black comedy mixed with some of the most significant characters in history”. Describing it as “a kind of Perry Mason meets Monty Python”, he’s confident that although it may seem an unusual choice for the Christmas season when so many are focused on Jesus, that it’s time Judas got a look in and his story will resonate, amuse and provoke.
“It gives voice to his story,” said Glen “and helps us to examine the facts through a zany and larger than life trip through history. The irreverence by which Guirgis handles these ‘important’ people is what attracted me most to this piece.”
Gamut Theatre Co is an independent theatre company, created as part of Darlo Drama’s Ensemble Experience – a unique new course that helps acting students experience their first professional profit-share production.
Production photos: Craig O’Regan
EVENT DETAILS
8 December – 14 December
Darlo Drama
Level 1, 16-18 Oxford Square, Darlinghurst
General $29.50 | Concession (seniors) $24.50 | Tight Arse Tuesday $27.00
The season has now been extended with two further performances on Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th December. Both performances commence at 7.30pm.
Tickets and more info
https://www.judasplay.com/
Join event
https://www.facebook.com/events/1191826054345088/
Drop us a line
lastdaysofjudas19@gmail.com
By arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd, on behalf of Dramatists Play Service, Inc New York, Gamut Theatre Co in partnership with Darlo Drama.
