After playing in London, Toronto and Los Angeles, the critically acclaimed conspiracy thriller The Last Confession, will be presented in Australia starring internationally revered British actor David Suchet.
Originally premiering at the Chichester Festival Theatre in 2007 before a hugely successful transfer to The Theatre Royal Haymarket in London’s West End, The Last Confession is written by first time playwright Roger Crane.
Set within the corridors of power in the Vatican, The Last Confession is sure to ignite controversial debate as it explores the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of Pope John Paul I in 1978 – dying only 33 days after being elected and before he could set his liberal reforms into place.
Suspicions are aroused when it is revealed that the new Pope had warned three of his most influential but hostile Cardinals that they would be replaced on the evening before his death. The Vatican refuses to conduct an official investigation into the death but the politically savvy Cardinal Giovanni Benelli who had engineered the election of Pope John Paul I, is determined to find the truth.
Making his Australian stage debut in the role of Cardinal Giovanni Benelli, David Suchet is an Olivier and Emmy Award winner, BAFTA and Tony Award nominee. He is best known for playing Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot having starred in all 74 television movies over 25 years.
This iconic role has taken him into the lounge room of millions around the world. Further to his role in Agatha Christie’s renowned series, Suchet has starred in numerous films and television series internationally whilst also maintaining an impressive theatre career.
This unique international tour also brings together a team of actors from all corners of the globe under the direction of Jonathan Church, Artistic Director of the Chichester Festival Theatre, and starring the UK’s Richard O’Callaghan, Bernard Lloyd and Sheila Ferris, Canada’s Nigel Bennett and Phillip Craig, and Australian actors John O’May and George Spartels.
The creative team includes Designer William Dudley (7 times Olivier Award winner), legendry Lighting Designer Peter Mumford (3 times Olivier award winner), Broadway and West End costume designer Fotini Dimou and music by the former Director of Music at the National Theatre, Dominic Muldowney.
“What I find particularly exciting about this production is its international dimension,” says Director Jonathon Church. “We are bringing together an American writer, a British creative team, an International producing team and an Australian, Canadian, American and British cast of 20 actors to deliver this exceptional new play.”
“The Last Confession packs in more suspense than the average murder mystery, but provides a lot of material to generate intellectual debate afterwards. And, most amazingly, it’s based on historical fact.” – The Toronto Star
The Last Confession is currently playing in Perth (to 16 August) before touring to Brisbane (20 – 24 August), Adelaide (27 – 31 August), Melbourne (3 – 21 September) and Sydney (24 September – 5 October). For more information, visit: www.thelastconfession.com.au for details.
Image: David Suchet as Cardinal Giovanni Benelli in The Last Confession
