Told with heart, humour, and searing observation, Melbourne Theatre Company brings to the stage, Martyna Majok’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Cost of Living, at the Southbank Theatre, The Sumner, from 14 September 2024.
A deeply moving play that looks at how we care for one another and ourselves, Cost of Living offers an honest and insightful look at the forces that bring people together.
“This is an important and thought-provoking piece of theatre that underscores the emotional and psychological ‘cost’ we pay to live our lives,” says Melbourne Theatre Company’s Artistic Director & Co-CEO, Anne-Louise Sarks.
Cost of Living follows the intertwined lives of two pairs of characters. Ani, portrayed by Rachel Edmonds (Have You Tried Yoga?), finds herself unexpectedly reunited with her estranged husband Eddie, played by Aaron Pedersen (Mystery Road), following a devastating accident. As their dynamic shifts from one of divorcing to caregiving, they navigate the complexities of their changed relationship.
Meanwhile, John, an affluent PhD candidate with cerebral palsy, played by Oli Pizzey Stratford (Neighbours), hires Jess, a fellow graduate student and bartender-by-night portrayed by Mabel Li (Safe Home), as his support worker. Their interactions challenge both characters to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and their motives.
Majok’s award-winning script shines a light on the tenderness and challenges inherent in the human experience. Cost of Living is not merely about disability; it delves into the universal need for connection and the complexities of caregiving.
Director: Anthea Williams | Featuring: Rachel Edmonds, Mabel Li, Aaron Pedersen, Oli Pizzey Stratford | Set & Costume Designer: Matilda Woodroofe | Lighting Designer: Richard Vabre | Composer & Sound Designer: Jethro Woodward | Assistant Director: Alistair Baldwin | Assistant Composer & Sound Designer: Todd J. Bennett | Intimacy Coordinator: Amy Cater | Voice & Dialect Coach: Matt Furlani
Cost of Living
Southbank Theatre, The Sumner, Southbank Boulevard, Southbank
Season: 19 September – 19 October 2024 (previews: 14 – 18 September)
Information and Bookings: www.mtc.com.au
Image: Oli Pizzey Stratford, Mabel Li, Rachel Edmonds and Aaron Pedersen – photos by Jo Duck