From the creators of the multi award winning Otto & Astrid from the band Die Roten Punkte comes a new physical comedy, The Anniversary, at fortyfivedownstairs from 10 February 2021.
In this brand-new show, the pair play Jim and Barb, a Melbourne couple in their 70s who have been married for 50 years. Life has had its ups and downs, but they’ve stayed together through it all.
But life is far from peachy – now they annoy one another so much, that they’re desperately hoping that the other is ready to shuffle off this mortal coil and leave them in goddamn peace.
Tonight, lucky audiences are in for a special treat as they are invited to Jim & Barb’s golden wedding anniversary! After 50 years of marriage, these Baby Boomers from Balwyn are so far at the end of their tether that murderous intent is one stray toenail clipping away from becoming a reality.
Meanwhile, Greta Thunburg is on the TV telling them that the world is on fire and it’s all their fault. The Anniversary explodes into an abyss of unfulfilled dreams; layered with precision timing, nonsensical absurdity and deadpan delivery, this is one party you won’t want to miss.
Since 2006, Clare Bartholomew and Daniel Tobias have been touring their award-winning, irreverent brand of theatre and comedy-cabaret to North America, Europe, New Zealand and Australia.
Together they’ve been nominated for 13 Greenroom Awards in Melbourne, winning Best Production twice for Die Roten Punkte, and winners of Best Comedy Victoria Fringe, Best Production Montreal Fringe, Most Outstanding Production in Ottawa and London Fringe, and nominated for a Time Out & Soho Theatre Award and a Total Theatre Award in Edinburgh.
Clare has previously won a Melbourne Fringe Comedy Award and a Comedy Festival Foreign Exchange Award, was a recipient of the Moosehead Comedy Award, nominated for the Barry Award and was a winner of the British Council’s Comedy Festival Award. She has worked as a Clown Doctor for over 20 years in children’s hospitals.
Daniel’s solo show, The Orchid and the Crow won him a Greenroom Award for Best Writing as well as Best Solo Show – Ottawa Fringe and Best Solo Performer London Fringe. He is currently working on a Master of Theatre (Writing) at VCA.
Peter Houghton recently appeared in Eddie Perfect’s The Beast, North by Northwest, Shakespeare in Love, and The Graduate. Recent directing work includes The Architect Boy at the Edge of Everything, True Minds, Art and Soul, Hinterland, The Recruit and The Odd Couple for MTC.
Director: Peter Houghton Featuring: Clare Bartholomew, Daniel Tobias Lighting Design: Bronwyn Pringle Stage Management: Bindi Green Producer: Laura Milke Garner (MILKE) Writers: Clare Bartholomew, Daniel Tobias & Peter Houghton
The Anniversary
fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Season: 12 – 21 February 2021 (previews: 10 & 11 February)
Information and Bookings: www.fortyfivedownstairs.com
Image: Daniel Tobias and Clare Bartholomew feature in The Anniversary (supplied)