Darlinghurst Theatre Company have hosted a special event at the Eternity Playhouse in honour of the late Nick Enright, and to celebrate that their beautiful new foyer bar will now be known as Nick’s Bar.
The evening included performances and talks from special guests including journalist and author David Marr, actor Sandy Gore, and composer Terence Clarke, as well as performers Paul Capsis, Doug Hansell, Genevieve Lemon Lynne Pierse, and Tony Sheldon, who all had the honour and privilege of knowing Nick personally.
Enright, who died in 2003 at age 52 of a melanoma, was a dearly loved man of the theatre. A prolific writer for film, television and the stage, he was also an actor, director and teacher who was Head of Acting at NIDA between 1983 and 1984.
His playwriting credits include On the Wallaby, Daylight Saving, St James Infirmary, Mongrels, A Property of the Clan, The Quartet from Rigoletto, Blackrock, Good Works, Spurboard and A Man with Five Children. Together with Justin Monjo he also adapted Tim Winton’s Cloudstreet for the stage.
Nick also wrote the book for many musicals including Variations (1982), The Venetian Twins (1979) and Broadway hit, The Boy from Oz (1998). He co-wrote the screenplay for Lorenzo’s Oil (1993), which earned him an Academy Award nomination.
It was also announced the Enright family is supporting Darlinghurst Theatre Company to produce three plays by the renowned Australian playwright including Daylight Saving in 2014, as well as two other works in 2015 and 2016.
Ian Enright, one of Nick’s brothers, said Darlinghurst and its theatres were an important part of Nick’s life, work and legacy.
“We are delighted that the Darlinghurst Theatre Company and its Eternity Playhouse are taking a lead in the development, performance and promotion of Nick’s works through a number of initiatives,” said Mr Enright.
Darlinghurst Theatre Director Glenn Terry is thrilled at the opportunity to present Nick’s work to new audiences at the Eternity Playhouse.
“As well as being a leading Australian writer, Nick Enright was much loved within the theatre community. He was a mentor to many professional theatre artists and I have fond memories of Nick mentoring young artists at our old theatre in Potts Point,” Mr Terry said.
Journalist David Marr and close friend of Nick’s said, “Enright wasn’t a great drinker himself, but understand that red wine and conversation go together so the naming of a bar after him was an apt tribute.”
Ian Enright also announced a number of other initiatives including a song book for each of Nick’s major musicals, as well as an anthology of his work to be published by Currency Press.
Daylight Saving will play at the Eternity Playhouse from 31 October to 30 November 2014 and will be directed by Mark Kilmurry.
For more information, visit: www.darlinghursttheatre.com for details.
Image: Paul Capsis performing One Perfect Day by Lou Reed in front of Nick’s Bar – photo by Damian Shaw.