Don’t Look Away is returning to the Old Fitz Theatre from 13 December to revive the time-honoured tradition of an end of season pantomime. Babes in the Woods is a brand new pantomime developed especially for the Old Fitz Theatre in which fiscal temptation and the Australian dream collide.
Aunty Avarica is your typical Australian wowser, more concerned with property than with sharing the bounty of this sunburnt land. Suddenly her brother’s children invade her property bawling about his passing and carrying a will that leaves all his riches to them; unless of course something should happen to the children, then all the money will be left to her. The company will explode the myths we surround ourselves with, and attempt to envisage a whole new world.
“Babes in the Woods is the antidote to 2016,” says writer and director Phil Rouse. “We all need a good laugh after the insanity of this year. The litany of unexpected twists and turns we have seen at home and abroad feels like we’re caught in a generally downward spiral into uncertainty, inequality, and inter-generational mistrust.”
“What better way to deal with everything than to take the f*cking piss out of it while sinking beers at Sydney’s most famous pub theatre. Pantomime is a beautiful thing. It can never be too silly, too puerile, to rude. Playing it for adults with double entendres while the kids giggle, or, in the absence of kids, make the adults groan in recognition and snigger at over-played puns.’
“Panto is warm. Panto is generous. We want audiences to let go and come along on our magic carpet ride. Audience members can buy beers from the cast, throw cabbages at their favourite/least favourite actor, get a lap dance from an emu… It’s summer and the weather is good, so let your hair down, grab a beer, throw some cabbage, and have a wild time at the pantomime.”
The talented ensemble cast includes Annie Byron (Inner Voices, My Name is Asher Lev), Sean Hawkins (Howie the Rookie, Cleverman), Gabriel Fancourt (Henry V, Twelfth Night), Alex Malone (Spring Awakening, Threnody), Ildiko Susany (A Man With Five Children, ASYLUM) and Samantha Young (Space Cats, Hunger). Musician and actor Philippe Klaus (Battlers and Dreamers, Wolf Creek 2) will play piano live onstage and will compose new music and rearrange well-known songs with new lyrics for the production.
Based on the good works of Tom Wright, Australian theatre mavericks Don’t Look Away, who presented the thrilling production of Inner Voices earlier this year, promise a show that is utterly ridiculous, totally inclusive and dangerously fun.
Writer / Director: Phil Rouse Featuring: Annie Byron, Sean Hawkins, Gabriel Fancourt, Alex Malone, Ildiko Susany and Samantha Young Musical Director/Composer: Philippe Klaus Assistant Director: Matthew Cheetham Production Designer: Martelle Hunt Lighting Designer: Sian James-Holland Production Manager: Patrick Howard Stage Manager: Maria Spataro Producer: Anne Brito
Babes in the Woods
Old Fitz Theatre, 129 Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo
Season: 13 – 21 December 2016 / 6 – 21 January 2017
Information and Bookings: www.redlineproductions.com.au
Image: Alex Malone and Ildiko Susany feature in Babes in the Woods – photo by Anna Gardiner
Note: Babes in the Woods is not suitable for those under 15 years of age.