From the AWGIE award-winning writer of Little Bird, State Theatre Company South Australia presents Nicki Bloom’s dark-as-pitch comedy (with a sting in its tail), Vale in the Dunstan Playhouse from 17 November 2017.
Joseph Vale is on top of the world. The self-made head of an eponymous hotel empire, he’s all set to spend New Year’s Eve toasting his successes and celebrating everything he has ever built.
Along for the ride is his wife Tina, their newly graduated university educated daughter Isla and her ambitious young boyfriend Angus. Champagne corks pop, egos and ambition collide and the night catches alight with the arrival of an unexpected guest.
A new Australian work, Vale was written by Nicki Bloom following her mentorship with the late playwright Edward Albee (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?), sharing the three-time Pulitzer Prize Winning Author’s lacerating wit and pinpoint sense of drama.
“Vale is a play that actors and audiences alike can really sink their teeth into,” says Bloom. “I am thrilled to be working with this group of wildly talented actors and creatives to make the world of Vale for our audience.”
Directed by Geordie Brookman, the role of Joseph Vale will be played by South Australian actor Mark Saturno (Betrayal). He is joined by rising stars Tilda Cobham-Hervey (Things I Know To Be True) and James Smith (Volpone), State Theatre Company’s Resident Artist Elena Carapetis (A Doll’s House) and Emma Jackson (The Long Way Home).
Audiences will immediately be struck by Mark Thompson’s lavish set and costumes as State Theatre Company welcomes him back to Adelaide for the first time since Adam Cook’s production of Uncle Vanya (2006). Mark is one of Australia’s most decorated designers, recently designing Opera Australia’s Aida for Opera on the Harbour, and has a long history with both State Theatre Company and the Adelaide Festival.
“I’m delighted to be continuing our Company’s association with Nicki’s work,” says Brookman. “Vale marks an exciting new direction in her writing, displaying all of the trademark linguistic richness of Little Bird while creating a taut, funny and thrilling naturalistic drama.”
Since her first play Tender opened in 2007 at Belvoir’s Downstairs Theatre in Sydney, playwright Nicki Bloom has seen her plays produced throughout Australia and has enjoyed seasons in New York as part of the Summer Play Festival, and Off-Broadway’s New Victory Theatre.
In 2014, Bloom’s Little Bird was staged by the State Theatre Company in partnership with the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and went on to win both a Helpmann and an AWGIE Award.
Director: Geordie Brookman Featuring: Elena Carapetis, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Emma Jackson, Mark Saturno, James Smith Set & Costume Designer: Mark Thompson Lighting Designer: Geoff Cobham Composer: Hilary Kleinig Sound Designer: Andrew Howard
Vale
Dunstan Playhouse – Adelaide Festival Centre, King William Road, Adelaide
Season: 21 November – 3 December 2017 (previews: 17 – 20 November)
Information and Bookings: www.statetheatrecompany.com.au
Image: Mark Saturno stars in Vale (supplied)