Ensemble Theatre reveals 2019 Season

Ensemble Theatre The Last Wife Huw Higginson and Ursula Yovich 2019 SeasonFrom electrifying dramas and exuberant comedies, to enthralling classics and new Australian and international writing, Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre has announced its 2019 season that promises to be an exceptional year with six brilliant comedies, three intense dramas and a musical.

Fifty of Australia’s most talented actors, half of whom are women, will perform in 10 plays including John Bell, Michelle Lim Davidson, Maggie Dence, Darren Gilshenan, Genevieve Lemon, Sharon Millerchip, Daniel Mitchell, Jamie Oxenbould, Georgie Parker, Steve Rodgers and Ursula Yovich.

Ensemble Theatre’s 2019 Season includes:

The Big Time
Season: 18 January – 16 March
David Williamson’s trademark satirical pen finds razor-sharp form in this clever, stylish and sophisticated comedy set in the ruthless world of celebrity. Cast includes Claudia Barrie, Zoe Carides, Aileen Huynh and Jeremy Waters. Directed by Mark Kilmurry. World Premiere!

The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race
Season: 22 March – 27 April
This new Australian comedy by Melanie Tait is a funny, honest and heart-warming story about upsetting the potato cart and standing up for your principles. Featuring a cast of five fabulous women including Sharon Millerchip, Valerie Bader, Amber McMahon and Merridy Eastman. Directed by Priscilla Jackman. World Premiere!

The Last Five Years
Season: 29 March – 27 April
Jason Robert Brown’s award-winning cult musical is a powerful story of modern love and relationships. Featuring the incomparable talents of Elise McCann (Miss Honey – Matilda The Musical). Directed by Elsie Edgerton-Till.

Folk
Season: 3 May – 1 June
Bringing together a classic trio of misfits, this surprising and poignant comedy by Tom Wells is brimming with heart, humour and song. Cast includes Gerard Carroll and Genevieve Lemon. Directed by Terence O’Connell. Australian Premiere!

Murder on the Wireless
Season: 7 June – 13 July
Set in a 1950’s studio in the heyday of the radio play, tune in for an evening of suspense and intrigue and witness the world’s greatest detectives at their sleuthing best with atmospheric sound effects created before your very eyes. Cast includes Mark Kilmurry, Daniel Mitchell and Georgie Parker. Directed by Mark Kilmurry. World Premiere!

A View From The Bridge
Season: 18 July – 24 August
After a sold out season at The Old Fitz Theatre, this thrilling production of Arthur Miller’s powerful family tragedy reunites the award-winning team on the Ensemble Theatre stage. Cast includes Ivan Donato, Giles Gartrell-Mills, David Lynch, David Soncin, Zoe Terakes and Janine Watson. Directed by Iain Sinclair.

The Last Wife
Season: 30 August – 29 September
This stunning historical drama in the spirit of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, Kate Hennig reimagines the dangerous sparring between King Henry VIII and Katherine Parr through a richly provocative contemporary lens. Cast includes Emma Harvie, Huw Higginson, Simon London and Ursula Yovich. Directed by Mark Kilmurry.

Fully Committed
Season: 11 October – 16 November
In an updated version of Becky Mode’s Broadway smash, this hilarious and fast-paced comedy skewers our modern obsession with food and fine-dining. Cast includes Michelle Lim Davidson. Directed by Kate Champion.

Baby Doll
Season: 18 October – 16 November
In a brand new adaptation by Pierre Laville and Emily Mann, heat and desire sizzle in Tennessee Williams’ Deep South tale of lust, jealousy and betrayal.  Cast includes Kate Cheel, Maggie Dence and Jamie Oxenbould. Directed by Shaun Rennie. Australian Premiere!

The Odd Couple
22 November – 30 December
Comedy masters Darren Gilshenan and Steve Rodgers are the definitive odd couple in Neil Simon’s hilarious Tony Award winning play of divorce, friendship and (mis)understanding. Cast includes Darren Gilshenan, Christa Nicola, Nicholas Papademetriou, Olivia Pigeot and Steve Rodgers. Directed by Mark Kilmurry.

Ensemble Theatre’s 2019 Season add on events:

Diplomacy
Season: 21 June – 13 July
Returning to Ensemble Theatre after a sold out 2018 season, theatre legends John Bell and John Gaden reprise their roles in this unmissable production of Cyril Gély’s WWII thriller. In 1944 at the Hôtel Meurice, the Swedish diplomat Raoul Nordling and the German General, Dietrich von Choltitz meet in a life and death situation for the city of Paris.

An Intimate Evening with Paul Capsis
Season: 8 – 16 September
In an intimate and candid performance, Paul revisits the staggering heights of a multi-award winning career spanning cabaret, song, theatre and film. With piano accompaniment, he explores the music of the greatest artists of all time including selections from Amy Winehouse, Tom Waits, Patti Smith, William Burroughs, Nina Simone, Janis Joplin, Judy Garland and many more.

John Bell: A Few of my Favourite Things
Season: 1 – 10 December
Spend an hour with Australian Living Legend John Bell as he rummages through his swag of Favourite Things and fishes out poems, stories and backstage gossip – things he finds inspiring, comforting or just plain funny. From Les Murray to Shakespeare, from Keats to comedy, this will be an engaging, revealing and sometimes hilarious conversation.

Subscription packages are now available. Single tickets go on sale Monday 15 October 2018. For more information, visit: www.ensemble.com.au for details.

Image: Huw Higginson and Ursula Yovich star in The Last Wife (supplied)