2009 Season

Creative Team

by Tom Stoppard

 

Director Richard Cottrell
Set Designer Michael Scott Mitchell
Costume Designer Julie Lynch
Lighting Designer Bernie Tan
Composer/Sound Designer Paul Charlier
Choreographer Pamela French

 

With Robert Alexander, Blazey Best, Jonathan Biggins, Peter Houghton, Rebecca Massey, Toby Schmitz, Wendy Strehlow, William Zappa

Jonathan Biggins chats about playing Henry Carr in Tom Stoppard's Travesties
 
Email Reminder
 
 

Sydney Theatre Company and HWL Ebsworth Lawyers present
Travesties

 

As the First World War raged throughout Europe, three of the most acute minds of the Twentieth Century – James Joyce, Tristan Tzara and Lenin – sought sanctuary in Zurich.

 

Enter Henry Carr. Minor British Consul official. Dedicated follower of fashion. Shameless self promoter. Performer in Joyce’s 1917 amateur production of The Importance of Being Earnest.

 

Told from the perspective of this historical non-entity, Carr – comforted by the passage of time and the vagaries of memory – (inaccurately) places himself at the centre of events, elevating his own importance in a period of intellectual invigoration and rigor; a time filled with the promise of cultural and social transformation.

 

In this classic comedy, Tom Stoppard juxtaposes the ridiculous pomposity of the brilliantly unremarkable Henry Carr against the exuberance and wit of some of the greatest talents of the last century. This is Stoppard at his best: a medley of debates pertaining to literature, philosophy, history and politics, spun from dialogue that glistens with language games, puns and wit.

 

2 hours 30 mins including interval

 

Travesties - Monday 30 March at 6:30pm

This performance was cancelled due to the power outage experienced across Sydney CBD.  Tickets may be exchanged for an alternative performance of Travesties. Patrons unable to attend an alternative performance may obtain a full refund from the original point of purchase. Sydney Theatre Company (02) 9250 1777. Sydney Opera House (02) 9250 7777.

Reviews

"*****This is a play you have to see..." Time Out Sydney

"Richard Cottrell's splendid revival of Travesties reclaims the play...a terrific cast...The star is Jonathan Biggins as Carr...a superb performance." The Australian

 

"**** an exhilarating verbal ride through art, history and politics.... this exuberant production is hugely entertaining." The Sunday Telegraph


Cate & Andrew say...

We can’t wait for this flummery. This concoction. This play is one of those rare things: a piece of Theatre lying in wait for a production.

Dates & Prices

Pre-season Briefing:
Monday 2 March at 6.15pm
Held at The Wharf

Previews:
9-12 March  8pm
All Tickets: $60

Season:
From 13 March 8pm

Evenings:
Tuesdays – Fridays 8pm
Adults: $80
*Concession: $65
*Under 30: $30
Saturdays 8pm
All: $85

Twilights:
Mondays 6.30pm
Adults: $80
*Concession: $65
*Under 30: $30

Matinees:
Wednesdays 1pm (Wednesday 25 March at 12.15pm)
Saturdays 2pm
Adults: $80
*Concession: $65
*Under 30: $30

Night with the Actors:
Monday 20 April at 6.30pm
Post-show discussion with the cast and creative team

* Concession applies to Australian Pensioners, Full-time Students, Unemployed and Australian Seniors
* Concessions and Under 30s price not available for previews or Saturday evenings