Ghost Quartet

Blurring the line between a contemporary concept album and traditional musical theatre, Antipodes Theatre Company presents the Australian premiere of Dave Malloy’s Ghost Quartet at Gasworks Arts Park from 15 August 2019.

A camera breaks and four musicians drink as they unravel four interwoven narratives spanning seven centuries: a warped fairy tale about two sisters, a treehouse astronomer and a lazy evil bear; a retelling of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher; a purgatorial intermezzo about Scheherazade and the ghost of Thelonious Monk; and a contemporary fable about a subway murder.

The cast of actor-musicians includes David Butler (Mad World: The Immersive Theatrical Experience), Melissa David (From: New York, For: Him – The Butterfly Club / Adelaide Fringe), Patrick Schnur (Twelfth Night – Australian Shakespeare Company), and Willow Sizer (Death of a Demi Diva – Melbourne Cabaret Festival).

“When Ghost Quartet premiered in New York, it generated the kind of buzz that few original musicals experience,” says Brandon Pape, Antipodes artistic director. “I am thrilled to share this quirky and poignant piece with Melbourne audiences.”

Directed and designed by Pape, Ghost Quartet features musical direction by David Butler, movement direction by Madison Lee, lighting by Adelaide Harney, sound by Jedd Schaeche, stage management by Jackie Mates and Diane Pereira, production management by Kristy Griffin, and graphic design by Julian Leon.

“I moved to Melbourne from New York City just over a year ago, and in that time have loved experiencing the variety and richness of the performing arts here in Australia,” adds Pape. “To be leading a new company through an artistically ambitious first season is such a gift, and I hope that we can contribute to the vibrant landscape of Australian theatre for years to come.”

Dave Malloy is a composer, writer, performer and orchestrator. He has written thirteen musicals, including Octet, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Preludes, Little Bunny Foo Foo, Three Pianos, Black Wizard/Blue Wizard, Beowulf – A Thousand Years of Baggage, Beardo, Sandwich and Clown Bible.

Malloy has won two Obie Awards, a Smithsonian Ingenuity Award, a Theater World Award, the Richard Rodgers Award, an ASCAP New Horizons Award and a Jonathan Larson Grant. He has been a MacDowell Fellow and Composer-in-Residence at Ars Nova and the Signature Theatre.

“Ghost Quartet slyly addresses the questions of why we want to believe in ghosts and feel the need to keep talking about them. And I promise you, you will believe by the evening’s end…one of the most ingenious and affecting finales I’ve come across in years.” – The New York Times

Director & Designer: Brandon Pape Featuring: David Butler, Melissa David, Patrick Schnur, Willow Sizer Musical Direction: David Butler Movement Direction: Madison Lee Lighting Designer: Adelaide Harney Sound Designer: Jedd Schaeche Stage Managers: Jackie Mates, Diane Pereira Production Manager: Kristy Griffin Wardrobe Supervisor: Helen Rofe