A searing comedy on show business post #MeToo that brilliantly highlights the gaping chasm that can swallow up our morality the moment our self interest is threatened, Red Stitch presents the Victorian premiere of David Ireland’s Ulster American for a limited season from 24 August 2019.
A talented female writer, an A-list actor and an ambitious West End director meet to discuss the most important new play of the decade – if they can only agree on what it’s about! Fragile egos, the fault lines of modern politics, gender, and the all pervasive power of Hollywood threaten to derail the whole project.
Exploring consent, abuse of power and identity, Ulster American is confrontational, brutally funny and not for the faint of heart. Written by Belfast born actor turned playwright David Ireland, Ulster American won the Best of Edinburgh Award as well as a Scotsman Fringe First and became one of the most talked about shows of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2018.
This award winning black comedy is directed by Brett Cousins and features Steve Bastoni (A View From the Bridge, Police Rescue, Neighbours, Bad Mothers), and Red Stitch ensemble members Sarah Sutherland (The Realistic Joneses, Day One-A Hotel-Evening, That Face, Red Sky Morning) and David Whiteley (The Doctor Blake Mysteries, The Wrong Girl, The Menkoff Method).
Brett has previously directed Paddy Campbell’s award-winning play Wet House and Clare Barron’s You Got Older for Red Stitch, as well as co-directing Incognito by Nick Payne and Fury by Joanna Murray-Smith with Red Stitch’s Artistic Director Ella Caldwell.
Brett has performed in dozens of roles for Red Stitch including Out Of The Water, The Aliens, Stockholm, Creditors, Farragut North, Motortown, This Is How It Goes, The Shape Of Things and Some Voices. He has also just completed work on Habitat, his first short film as Director, Writer, and Actor.
“Even the first lines of this outrageous and uproarious new play at the Fringe arrive with the vroom vroom of a Ferrari.” – The Times (UK)
Director: Brett Cousins Featuring: Steve Bastoni, Sarah Sutherland, David Whiteley Set & Costume Design: Louise McCarthy Lighting Design: Tom Willis & Rachel Lee Sound Design: Daniel Nixon Accent Coach: Matt Furlani Fight Director: Charlie Mycroft Stage Manager: Liberty Gilbert Assistant Stage Manager: Tayla Gane
Ulster American
Red Stitch Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel Street, St Kilda
Season: 24 August – 19 September 2019 (previews to 23 August)
Information and Bookings: www.redstitch.net
Image: David Whiteley, Sarah Sutherland and Steve Bastoni star in Ulster American – courtesy of Red Stitch
WARNING: 18+ contains very strong language, graphic violence and references to sexual assault.