The Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC) is to premiere 3 new Australian plays in it’s 12 part 2017 season.
Launched on the weekend by Artistic Director Brett Sheehy in Melbourne’s Hamer Hall, the 3 plays – written by Joanna Murray-Smith, Eddie Perfect and Lally Katz – sparked a special kind of excitement in event attendees.
Alongside them is a diverse selection of local and international work that is sure to delight an array of both new and continuing theatregoers.
There were, of course, a few standouts presented in this weekend’s launch.
According to Sheehy, Michael Frayn‘s Noises Off is “considered by many to be the funniest play ever written”. Actor Louise Siverson presented the play to subscribers, in a depiction that was nothing short of hilarious. Noises Off will be playing mid year, throughout July and August and will definitely be the comedic relief of next years cohort.
The Father by Florian Zeller is also a promising standout. The intriguing french play has garnered world wide acclaim, and the MTC is rightly bringing it to Australian shores. With John Bell AO playing the lead, it is an understatement to say that audiences are in for a treat – with Sheehy suggesting this could be the performance of Bell’s lifetime. This performance will be co-produced with Sydney Theatre Company. Not to be missed, The Father will premiere in November of 2017.
For the first time in 5 years, the MTC will be showing a Shakespearean tragedy. Sheehy, who has been directing the company in this time, said “In my view you never tackle Shakespeare lightly.” Therefore, Macbeth will be directed by Simon Phillips, who has allegedly waited 5 years for the “planets to align” in anticipation of this play. Phillip’s is remembered as directing Richard III andHamlet in previous MTC seasons. Although the full casting announcement is still to come, audiences can gear up for the June/July when this mammoth of a play will be presented.
In addition to this weekend’s season launch, the MTC also announced a few major successes in their social justice projects. They were proud to announce that in accordance to their Women In Theatre motion, 7 of the 12 plays in the 2017 season are written by women, and 5 are to be directed by women.
The 2017 Season will bring something fresh and dramatic to audiences, and is definitely worth travelling to Melbourne for!
Subscribers can access tickets now, however ticketing for the general public will be available in early March and can be booked through the MTC website.