From the pen of Australian playwright and social commentator Van Badham comes Banging Denmark – a swinging satire on the men who claim to understand the ‘female mind’ and the online culture that inspires them, opening at The Studio – Sydney Opera House this July.
Ish Madigan is a feminist academic writing a thesis on computer games. Jake Newhouse is a full-time management consultant and part-time pickup artist. They’re not exactly best friends.
But when Jake’s latest crush – a brilliant Danish librarian – doesn’t respond to his usual seduction techniques, he knows he needs help. Jake asks Ish to coach him in feminist-friendly flirtation. He’ll pay. And Ish needs the money. So, what’s stopping her? Oh, you know, just ethics, morals and every fibre of her being.
“Van’s text – which delves into the dark realities of the internet while also unearthing the potential for change and hope – has been a rewarding rollercoaster to navigate,” says STC Resident Director Jessica Arthur. “I hope that audiences leave having learnt and laughed as much as we have in the rehearsal room.”
Arthur directs a fabulously funny cast including Amber McMahon (STC’ Accidental Death of an Anarchist); Megan Wilding (STC’s Blackie Blackie Brown); Michelle Lim Davidson (STC’s Top Girls, ABC’s Utopia); Patrick Jhanur (Belvoir’s Single Asian Female) and TJ Power (Channel 10s Offspring).
Banging Denmark was developed as part of STC’s Rough Drafts program in 2017. The 2019 production boasts an entirely female creative and technical team including Renée Mulder (design); Veronique Benett (lighting); Clemence Williams (composition & sound); and Tasnim Hossain (assistant director).
“The attached cast – and the crew- are babes of legendary ferocity and I am beyond thrilled to be working with them,” said playwright Van Badham. “It’s particularly exciting to offer young female artists an opportunity to let loose on a comedy that mocks and satirises theatrical stereotypes of what women are and who they can be – the clichés of confected “womanhood” that dominate the rom-com genre are up for a very fancy shredding with this team.”
Director: Jessica Arthur Featuring: Patrick Jhanur, Michelle Lim Davidson, Amber McMahon, TJ Power, Megan Wilding Designer: Renée Mulder Lighting Designer: Veronique Benett Composer & Sound Designer: Clemence Williams Assistant Director: Tasnim Hossain
Banging Denmark
The Studio – Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney
Season: 1 – 24 August 2019 (previews: 27 – 30 July)
Information and Bookings: www.sydneytheatre.com.au
Image: Patrick Jhanur and Amber McMahon – photo by Rene Vaile