Timeshare

Malthouse Theatre 2015_Timeshare_Jeff BusbyFrom one of Australia’s most unique, prolific and fascinating theatrical voices comes Timeshare – an hilarious, musical fable at the Coopers Malthouse for a limited season from 29 April 2015.

Timeshare is the latest work from darling of Australian playwriting Lally Katz (Stories I Want to Tell You in Person, Neighbourhood Watch),  featuring the talents of lauded comic actor Marg Downey (of Kath & Kim and Fast Forward fame).

Downey rose to prominence in the 1980s TV series D-Generation, performing alongside fellow Australian comic legends Magda Szubanski and Jane Turner. She makes her Malthouse Theatre debut in Timeshare – a musical comedy about a once glorious tropical destination that straddles past and present, owing to its location on the International Date Line. Now a ramshackle resort, the only way management can make a living is to swindle stranded cruise passengers.

Widely considered one of the most original voices in Australian theatre and this year’s recipient of the Sidney Myer Award, Katz came up with the concept in collaboration with Director Oliver Butler of New York’s The Debate Society.

“Oliver told me about his crazy vacations at these all-inclusive resorts where they spent the time trying to sell the guests timeshares, and we thought this would make a great world for a play,” said Katz.

“We decided it should be set on the International Date Line because it would reflect some of the time zone issues we’ve had over the past ten years Skyping each other to talk about ideas. I even travelled around, staying at a bunch of resorts to help my research – which isn’t such a bad gig really!”

Timeshare is loaded with Katz’s signature quirky humour and a handful of witty musical numbers, as she creates a place full of exotic temples, late night scuba diving lessons, empty infinity pools and tardy turtles. A place where time and memory effortlessly slip away.

Downey employs her considerable comedic prowess to Katz’s razor sharp writing in this hilarious and touching show about family, time and the search for a fleeting slice of paradise.

Director: Oliver Butler  Cast: Fayssal Bazzi, Marg Downey, Brigid Gallacher, Bert LaBonté  Set & Costume Design: Dale Ferguson  Lighting Design: Paul Jackson  Sound Design & Composition: Jethro Woodward

Timeshare
Merlyn Theatre – The Coopers Malthouse, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank
Season: 29 April – 17 May 2015
Bookings: (03) 9685 5111 or online at: www.malthousetheatre.com.au

For more information, visit: www.malthousetheatre.com.au for details.

Image: Marg Downey in Timeshare – photo by Jeff Busby