15 SEPTEMBER — 8 OCTOBER
The Great Australian Play
Written by Kim Ho
Story by Kim Ho and Saro Lusty-Cavallari
Directed By Saro Lusty-Cavallari
Australia, 1930. As the Great Depression tightens its grip on a hungry, fledgling nation, Harold Bell Lasseter charms everyone with his story of a fabulously wealthy “reef” of gold hidden in the vast Interior. Brave adventurers set off in search of riches and salvation... but the expedition descends into a nightmare.
Australia, 2022. Lockdowns and relentless funding cuts have left the arts community weary and desperate. Five intrepid screenwriters lock themselves away to create the next great Australian story out of the myth of Lasseter’s Reef. But for these unlucky souls, trapped inside a story they haven’t begun to understand, the real nightmare is yet to begin.
After a Green Room-nominated season at Melbourne's Theatre Works in 2020, Kim Ho and Montague Basement have reimagined this ingenious satire for a post-pandemic Australia. The Great Australian Play is a psychedelic romp through the myths of our glorious nation’s past, present and imagined future.
Image: Bryn Chapman Parish
Creative team
Presented by Montague Basement and Red Line Productions
Written by Kim Ho
Story by Kim Ho and Saro Lusty-Cavallari
Director, Video and Sound Designer: Saro Lusty-Cavallari
Producer: Imogen Gardam
Associate Producer: Rachael Adamson
Set and Costume Designer: Kate Beere
Lighting Designer: Kate Baldwin
Stage Manager: Justice Georgopoulos
Design Assistant: Serena Pollock
Cast: Lucinda Howes, Kurt Pimblett, Rachel Seeto, Idam Sondhi, Mây Trần
This listing is updated as cast and creatives are confirmed in the lead-up to the production, and if there are any changes to the team.
Dates + Ticketing
Previews: 15 - 16 September 2022
Season: 17 September - 8 October 2022
Approximate run time: 2 hours 20 mins including interval
Partners
Supported by Create NSW
supported by City of Sydney
Content Note
Adult themes, horror imagery, graphic violence, sexual references, smoke/haze, sudden loud noises and flashing lights.
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Image credit: Phil Erbacher
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Image credit: Phil Erbacher
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Image credit: Phil Erbacher
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Image credit: Phil Erbacher
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Image credit: Phil Erbacher
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Image credit: Phil Erbacher
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Image credit: Phil Erbacher
Select Reviews
“The staging of this piece shows incredible resourcefulness to match Ho's inventiveness"
— Stage Whispers
“A rendering of the commercial, social and artistic factors, that many of today’s creatives feel they are beholden to.”
— Suzy Goes See
"Lucinda Howes, Kurt Pimblett, Rachel Seeto, Idam Sondhi and Mây Trần delivering through to the end with great integrity."
— Sydney Arts Guide
From Cat, Con & Alex: The Old Fitz Theatre Artistic Directors
“Fresh from working on the AACTA award-winning drama series The Newsreader, we are beyond stoked to welcome theatre darling Kim Ho to the Old Fitz stage with their new work, The Great Australian Play - a hilarious and wip smart take down of the Australian theatrical canon. What makes a good Australian play in the shadows of the greats of yesteryear? Saro Lusty-Cavallari of Montague Basement directs, in what will be a firecracker night at the Old Fitz.”