Vivid White

MTV Vivid White Verity Hunt-Ballard and Brent HillTaking a ruthless and riotous swipe at middle-class aspiration, and the living nightmare that is the Australian housing market, Melbourne Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Eddie Perfect’s piercing new satire, Vivid White at the Southbank Theatre from 23 November 2017.

Eddie Perfect’s first play, The Beast, took MTC audiences by storm in 2013, breaking box office records and confirming Melbourne’s appetite for theatre that delivers a healthy dose of merciless irony. In Vivid White, Eddie stirs the pot a little further, adding satirical songs to top off the outrageous comedy.

Liz and Ben have been mates with Cynthia and Evan for years, and would never let anything get in the way of their friendship. Except, when both couples set their sights on buying the same house – that’s different. Forget friendship, forget respect, forget human decency: this is the Australian property market. Not even the imminent collapse of civilisation itself could stop the zombie-like single-mindedness of buying the perfect house.

Directed by Dean Bryant, Vivid White features an all-star cast including Gillian Cosgriff (The Pirates of Penzance), Virginia Gay (The Beast), Brent Hill (Little Shop of Horrors), Verity Hunt-Ballard (Mary Poppins), Keegan Joyce (Rake), Ben Mingay (Wonderland) and Christina O’Neill (Gaybies).

Vivid White is the most theatrical new piece I’ve read in years – a roller coaster of comically dark scenes, interspersed with modern-day Weill-esque songs, and a climax unlike anything seen on MTC’s stage before,” says Bryant.

“Eddie has one of the best gifts in the world, the ability to make you laugh hysterically at how ridiculous we are, and then leave you awake in the middle of the night. This new work screams off the page as a terrifyingly vivid look at what our world is becoming and it is thrilling to bring it to life.”

The creative team bringing this production to life includes: costume designer Tim Chappel – best known for his Oscar and Tony award-winning designs in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, musical director James Simpson (Twisted Broadway), set designer Owen Phillips (Little Shop of Horrors), lighting designer Ross Graham (Little Shop of Horrors) and sound designer Russell Goldsmith (What Rhymes with Cars and Girls).

Eddie Perfect is one of Australia’s most diverse, respected and prolific writers, composers and performers, having made his mark in the fields of comedy, music theatre composition, playwriting, screenwriting, classical music, jazz and acting for stage and screen.

Among his many other writing credits are Shane Warne The Musical, and Songs From The Middle, as well as his solo music comedy shows Angry Eddie, Drink Pepsi Bitch and Misanthropology – which all received Helpmann and Green Room Awards and toured Australia, New Zealand, Edinburgh and London.

Eddie is currently writing songs for King Kong on Broadway, and is the composer and lyricist for the upcoming Broadway adaptation of Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice. As an actor and performer, Eddie’s credits include Offspring, a host on ABC’s Playschool and a judge on Australia’s Got Talent. He is also the former Co-Artistic Director of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.

Director: Dean Bryant Featuring: Gillian Cosgriff, Virginia Gay, Brent Hill, Verity Hunt-Ballard, Keegan Joyce, Ben Mingay, Christina O’Neill Musical Director / Orchestrator: James Simpson Set Designer: Owen Phillips Costume Designer: Tim Chappel Lighting Designer: Ross Graham Sound Designer: Russell Goldsmith Assistant Director: Sarah Kriegler

Vivid White
The Sumner – Southbank Theatre, 140 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank
Season: 23 November – 23 December 2017 (previews: 18 – 22 November)
Information and Bookings: www.mtc.com.au

Image: Verity Hunt-Ballard and Brent Hill feature in Vivid White – courtesy of MTC