Inspired by the characters, stories and lyrics of one of Australia’s most legendary singer/songwriters, Tim Freedman, Truth, Beauty and a Picture of You is about the hope you find when all hope is lost, as four lost souls struggle to find peace with themselves and their past, and a place to belong.
Featuring many of Freedman’s biggest hits from a life in music, this new Australian musical theatre work is moving, funny and surprisingly romantic, Truth, Beauty and a Picture of You will play a limited season at the Hayes Theatre from 14 May 2014.
Tom’s dad Stewie used to be in a band. They were big – well sort of! Legends on three blocks in the inner-west. That was many years ago and Stewie has long since gone to the big pub gig in the sky while the surviving band members, Anton and Charlie, are wrestling with their own personal demons.
Charlie is holding up the front bar in a succession of pubs on King Street while Anton just wants the past to stay in the past while he disappears into a blur of mediocrity. When Tom arrives in town from Taree to search out his dad’s old band mates, the slow decline of Anton and Charlie is rudely interrupted.
“Tim’s music and lyrics have always captured a timeless essence of human interaction – love, longing, loneliness – that is at first very local but also deeply universal,” says co-writer, Alex Broun.
“And that is why I think his songs strike such a deep chord in all of us. We all have been there, felt that, done that – at some point of our lives.”
“The intimacy of the new Hayes Theatre Co in Sydney is the perfect venue to launch the musical and the perfect place for the audience to get up close and experience the feelings and emotions of these much-loved songs and characters.”
Directed by Neil Gooding, Truth, Beauty and a Picture of You features an extraordinary cast of Sydney’s finest musical theatre talent including Ian Stenlake (Sea Patrol and Guys and Dolls), Scott Irwin (Hairspray and Les Miserables), Erica Lovell (Spring Awakening and Little Women), Toby Francis (Carrie and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) and Ross Chisari (Spring Awakening and The Drowsy Chaperone).
“As a long time fan of Tim Freedman and The Whitlams, I am incredibly excited to be bringing Truth, Beauty and a Picture of You to the stage for its premiere production,” says Director, Neil Gooding.
“Watch as classic Australian songs such as No Aphrodisiac, Blow Up The Pokies and You Gotta Love This City are re-framed into an original storyline about love, friendship, youth…as well as lost love, lost friends…and lost youth.”
Producer & Director: Neil Gooding Featuring: Ross Chisari, Toby Francis, Scott Irwin, Erica Lovell, Ian Stenlake Musical Director: Andrew Worboys Design: James Browne Lighting Design: Richard Neville Costume Design: Cassandra Pascoli Sound Design: Jessica James-Moody Music and Lyrics: Tim Freedman Book: Alex Broun and Tim Freedman – based on an idea by Alex Broun
Truth, Beauty and a Picture of You
Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point
Season: 14 May – 1 June 2014
Bookings: (02) 8065 7337 or online at: www.hayestheatre.com.au
For more information, visit: www.hayestheatre.com.au for details.
Image: Ross Chisari, Ian Stenlake and Scott Irwin in Truth, Beauty and a Picture of You – photo by Noni Carroll Photography