Award-winning music theatre powerhouse Squabbalogic is pleased to announce the full cast for the brand-new, original Australian musical THE DISMISSAL, which will be making its long-awaited world premiere this August 2023 at the Seymour Centre.
Conceived and directed by Jay James-Moody, with a book by Blake Erickson & Jay James-Moody, and music and lyrics by Laura Murphy, THE DISMISSAL is the must-see new musical of 2023.
THE DISMISSAL tells the epic story of Australia’s most dramatic political event – the sacking of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam’s government by the Governor-General Sir John Kerr on 11 November 1975 – as told through the eyes of iconic larrikin Norman Gunston, played to uncanny perfection by the irrepressible Matthew Whittet (Let The Right One In).
Alongside Whittet, Justin Smith (Into The Woods) will star as Gough Whitlam, Andrew Cutcliffe (Bells Are Ringing) as Malcolm Fraser, and Octavia Barron-Martin (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) as Sir John Kerr.
These performers will lead an amazing cast of stand-out music theatre performers including: Georgie Bolton (Joe vs Carole), Peter Carroll (Into The Woods), Lincoln Elliott (On A Clear Day You Can See Forever), Joe Kosky (Come From Away), Kaori Maeda-Judge (White Pearl), Shannen Alyce Quan (SIX The Musical), Quinton Rofail Rich (Choir Boy), Monique Sallé (The Deb), Brittanie Shipway (The Lovers), and Anusha Thomas (Metropolis).
With unimpeachable wit, a cracking original score, and a big heart, this ambitious world premiere doubles as both reckoning for the nation’s soul and a sensational night out, stirring audiences across generations and political persuasions. The exhaustive four-year casting process has yielded an exceptional team of Australia’s top talent to bring the 1970’s Rogues Gallery of Politics to life.
“The process of casting this show so consciously over a number of years with our creative, casting and inclusivity teams has been thrilling, challenging, illuminating and ultimately very rewarding,” said Director and Co-Bookwriter, Jay James-Moody.
“We’re so thrilled that this story – largely about white men in the 1970’s – will be presented to 2023 audiences by a team that represents the vast diversity of present day Australia which adds a further depth to the tale we are telling.”
THE DISMISSAL was commissioned and developed by Squabbalogic with the support of The Russell Mills Foundation; Seabourn, Broughton & Walford Foundation; and Create NSW. This production is supported by the Australian Government’s RISE fund.
Director: Jay James-Moody | Featuring: Matthew Whittet, Justin Smith, Andrew Cutcliffe, Octavia Barron-Martin, Georgie Bolton, Peter Carroll, Lincoln Elliott, Joe Kosky, Kaori Maeda-Judge, Shannen Alyce Quan, Quinton Rofail Rich, Monique Sallé, Brittanie Shipway, Anusha Thomas | Musical Director: Mark Chamberlain | Choreographer: Amy Campbell | Set & Costume Designers: Charles Davis & Emma White | Lighting Designer: James Wallis | Sound Designer: David Grigg
THE DISMISSAL: An Extremely Serious Music Comedy
York Theatre – Seymour Centre, Corner City Road and Cleveland Street, Chippendale (Sydney)
Season: 26 August – 7 October 2023
Bookings: www.seymourcentre.com
For more information, visit: www.thedismissal.com for details.
Image: Andrew Cutcliffe, Octavia Barron-Martin, Justin Smith and Matthew Whittet star in THE DISMISSAL – photo by Harvey House Productions