‘Howard Katz’ is the second play by British playwright Patrick Marber that the Sydney Theatre Company has produced, following on the success of its production of the bitingly contemporary ‘Closer’. This Sydney Theatre Company production was directed by Michael Kantor.

Howard Katz is a world weary showbiz agent who represents the ‘flotsam and jetsam’ nobody wants, a confused Jewish person who is questioning his faith- and is extremely funny and rude.
Katz is hit for six by a mid life crisis. He leaves his family and is coerced into taking time off from his job. With his life spiralling into chaos, Howard ends up on a park bench contemplating suicide.

Billie Brown, best known in Sydney for his performance as Oscar Wilde in Belvoir Street’s ‘Judas Kiss’,played the lead, coming in at the eleventh hour after Gary McDonald bowed out. took over the role from Gary McDonald He delivered a strong performance,and was well supported by a strong cast including Vanessa Downing, Kirstie Hutton and Frank Whitten.

This was a bleak night in the theatre. It was tough watching this pugnacious man fall deeper and deeper into the great chasm.