Award-winning music theatre powerhouse Squabbalogic presents the brand new Australian musical THE DISMISSAL, which will be making its long-awaited world premiere this September 2023 at the Seymour Centre.
Newly deposed Prime Minister Gough Whitlam descends the steps of Parliament House to rage against his dismissal by Governor-General Sir John Kerr, who has replaced him with the opposition leader, Malcolm Fraser.
A scoop of reporters throng toward him – chief among them Gold Logie-winner, beloved larrikin and Wollongong’s favourite son: Norman Gunston. Half a century later, Norman returns to deliver a rollicking, razor-sharp musical account of Australia’s epic constitutional crisis.
“The best Australian musical of the century” (Audrey Journal) will have you revelling through this all-singing, all-dancing, all-mud-slinging retelling of the monumental events that brought our country to its knees.
In the spirit of Keating, SIX, and The Wharf Revue comes “Australia’s answer to Hamilton” (The Sydney Morning Herald) – a toe-tapping journey through time, a wry commentary on Australian history, and a confronting portrait of our national character.
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 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.
Told through the eyes of iconic larrikin Norman Gunston, played to uncanny perfection by the irrepressible Matthew Whittet (Let The Right One In). He is joined by Justin Smith (Into The Woods) 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).
“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,” said Director and Co-Bookwriter, Jay James-Moody.
With unimpeachable wit, electrifying music, and a big heart, this ambitious world premiere doubles as both a reckoning for the nation’s soul and a sensational night out, stirring audiences across generations and political persuasions. It’s (show) time.
Concept, Co-Bookwriter & Director: Jay James-Moody | Featuring: Octavia Barron-Martin, Georgie Bolton, Peter Carroll, Andrew Cutcliffe, Lincoln Elliott, Joe Kosky, Kaori Maeda-Judge, Shannen Alyce Quan, Quinton Rofail Rich, Monique Sallé, Brittanie Shipway, Justin Smith, Anusha Thomas, Stace Thomsett, Matthew Whittet | Musical Director: Mark Chamberlain | Choreographer: Amy Campbell | Set & Costume Designers: Charles Davis, Emma White | Lighting Designer: James Wallis | Sound Designer: David Grigg | Co-Book Writer: Blake Erickson | Music & Lyrics, Co-Orchestrations & Arrangements: Laura Murphy | Co-Orchestrations & Arrangements: Steven Kramer | Assistant Director: Zoe Ioannou
THE DISMISSAL: An Extremely Serious Music Comedy
York Theatre – Seymour Centre, Corner City Road and Cleveland Street, Chippendale (Sydney)
Season: 5 September – 7 October 2023 (previews: 31 August – 3 September)
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