Patricia Cornelius is one of Australia’s most awarded playwrights but her work is often overlooked by professional theatre companies for being too controversial and confronting. Darlinghurst Theatre Company is proud to present the Sydney premiere of Savages at the Eternity Playhouse from 1 April 2016.
Inspired by true Australian stories, Savages is an exacting investigation of masculinity and mateship. A cautionary tale about a group of men in a state of lawlessness, the celebrated play came in the wake of growing media and public awareness about misogyny in all areas of society from Friday night drinks to federal politics.
Four ‘mates’ board a cruise ship for the trip of a lifetime. They’re in bad need of a break and determined to leave life’s baggage behind. In pursuit of freedom and a good time, they spiral out of control, leaving behind their moral compass and setting the scene for a terrible crime.
Artistic Director of Playwriting Australia Tim Roseman is thrilled to be directing this highly topical and multi-award-winning play. “Every now and again a play comes along that is so electrifying, so visceral, so white-knuckle you know it must be put on a stage immediately,” says Roseman. “Patricia has the power to make words dance, fight and sing, and it’s genuinely enthralling.”
Darlinghurst Theatre Company has assembled an exceptional cast for this bold new production including Josef Ber (Porn Cake, Redfern Now), 2015 Sydney Theatre Award-winning actor Thomas Campbell (Misterman, Clybourne Park), Yure Covich (Children of the Sun, Fury) and Troy Harrison (The Motherf**ker with the Hat).
Premiering in Melbourne in 2013 to rave reviews, Savages is a cleverly wrought and contemporary work about a group of men who don’t really know themselves or what they can become.
“Savages is a well-structured blend of raw, gritty and rhythmic phases, peppered with short and sharp bites that packs a punch. Cornelius’ writing is the more powerful for what it doesn’t say.” – Arts Review
Patricia Cornelius is one of Australia’s most awarded and celebrated playwrights. She is known for her confronting plays that often deal with people living on the margins of society, struggling with poverty and prejudice. She has written over 25 plays including: SHIT, Slut, The Call, Good, Do Not Go Gentle…, Boy Overboard, Cunning, Love, Jack’s Daughters, Opa – a sexual odyssey, Max, Platform, Lilly and May and Hog’s Hairs and Leeches
Director: Tim Roseman Featuring: Josef Ber, Thomas Campbell, Yure Covich, Troy Harrison Production Designer: Jeremy Allen Lighting Designer: Sian James-Holland Composer & Sound Designer: Nate Edmondson Movement Director: Julia Cotton Assistant Director: Erin Taylor Stage Manager: Natalie Moir
Savages
Eternity Playhouse, 39 Burton Street, Darlinghurst
Season: 6 April – 1 May 2016 (previews: 1 – 3 April)
Bookings: (02) 8356 9987 or online at: www.darlinghursttheatre.com
For more information, visit: www.darlinghursttheatre.com for details.
Image: Cast of Savages – photo by Helen White