New Theatre in association with the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras presents Douglas Carter Beane’s award-winning comedy The Little Dog Laughed at the New Theatre from 7 February 2017.
Mitchell is an actor, a rising star and firmly in the closet. Diane is his wildly ambitious, take-no-prisoners agent and awards-night beard. Alex and his girlfriend Ellen are two young hustlers on the make.
Late one night, on a business trip to New York, Mitch calls for a rent boy and Alex turns up. Two worlds and four lives collide. Within days, Mitch is declaring he’s in love and planning to ‘come out’ while Diane is desperately trying to prevent him committing what she sees as career suicide.
A tale of sexual ambiguity and immoral values, this modern comedy of manners is both a scathing attack on Hollywood stereotypes and double standards and a bitingly funny yet moving portrayal of people yearning to connect.
“I’ve known of this play since before it was first presented in Sydney (by the Ensemble Theatre in 2009); in fact, I had my eye on it to produce, but they gazumped me!” says director Alice Livingstone. “So, when New Theatre was on the hunt for a play for the 2017 Mardi Gras season, I suggested it, because I thought it was time for this wonderful, funny, clever play to have another showing. I’m really pleased that Artistic Director, Louise Fischer, felt the same way and programmed it.”
Alice has a long history of producing and directing theatre for Mardi Gras: from her work with her own company Focus Theatre (Out in the Open; Handbag; Blowing Whistles; Bison; Natural Born Hooker and Bent) to Mother Clap’s Molly House and Privates on Parade for the New.
The cast consists of Sarah Aubrey, Brett Rogers, Charles Upton and Madeline Beukers, while the creative team includes Tom Bannerman (set), Louise Mason (lighting), Famke Visser (costumes) and Michael Huxley (sound).
Douglas Carter Beane is an American playwright and screenwriter, whose works for stage include: The Country Club, Xanadu, Lysistrata Jones, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, The Nance, and Shows for Days. Additional credits include the film, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, as well as revising the libretto for the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of the operetta, Die Fledermaus.
In 2016, New Theatre was the recipient of an ACON Honour Award for Arts and Entertainment. The citation read: “New Theatre has not only provided a unique platform for LGBTI stories to be told on the stage, but has also fostered the careers of hundreds of LGBTI theatre practitioners. New Theatre has been nominated for their 25-year commitment to LGBTI content and productions for the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras and for recognising diverse sexualities and genders as an important demographic within the theatre’s community and audience.”
“Given the scarcity of viable new comedies on Broadway, audiences no doubt will be tickled by the satire’s risque humor and hint of topicality.” – Variety
Director: Alice Livingstone Featuring: Sarah Aubrey, Madeline Beukers, Brett Rogers, Charles Upton Associate Director: Emma Louise Set Designer: Tom Bannerman Lighting Designer: Louise Mason Costume Designer: Famke Visser Sound Designer: Michael Huxley Production Manager/Stage Manager: Jo Jewitt
The Little Dog Laughed
New Theatre, 542 King Street, Newtown
Season: 9 February – 4 March 2017 (previews: 7 & 8 February)
Information and Bookings: www.newtheatre.org.au