Melbourne Theatre Company’s Rupert has set Washington DC abuzz following its US premiere Wednesday night (US time) at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts World Stages: International Theater Festival.
When the curtain came down just over an hour ago, members of the audience leapt to their feet. In the audience were the Australian Ambassador to the United States of America The Hon Kim Beazley AC and prominent government and business guests, along with Playwright David Williamson, MTC Artistic Director Brett Sheehy AO, Executive Director Virginia Lovett, Director Lee Lewis, tour sponsors and donors.
MTC Executive Director Virginia Lovett said, “The cast were in high energy mode and did a fabulous job. They really went out there and wowed the audience.”
“The Australian Ambassador and his guests and everyone around me in the theatre loved it and were laughing and enjoying David’s wonderful play. One of the Kennedy Center staff who has worked there for 43 years told me it was the best thing he’d ever seen. All the talk is that it was a great night in the theatre.”
Lee Lewis directs Rupert, with Guy Edmonds and Sean O’Shea playing the younger and older versions of Rupert Murdoch. Marg Downey, Daniela Farinacci, Simon Gleeson, Bert LaBonté, HaiHa Le and Scott Sheridan play the host of powerful characters, including Margaret Thatcher, David Frost, Gough Whitlam, Bob Hawke, Paul Keating, Tony Blair, Wendi Deng, Rebecca Brookes, Barry Diller and Roger Ailes.
Rupert continues its run at the Kennedy Center in the Eisenhower Theater until this Saturday 15 March. This is MTC’s first international tour in thirty years and it is the only Australian theatre company in the Festival. Rupert’s world premiere season last August was a sell-out success, seen by over 30,000 people. For more information, visit: www.mtc.com.au for details.
Image: courtesy of Melbourne Theatre Company