Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Festival, Malthouse Melbourne & Edinburgh International Festival present
Optimism
by Tom Wright, after Voltaire
Raised in Westphalia in the household of a Baron, Candide (Frank Woodley) has enjoyed a privileged life. He has received a fine education in philosophy from the family tutor, Pangloss (Barry Otto), and has merrily subscribed to his mentor’s theory that ‘all is for the best’.
Life has been all-too-easy for our blissfully happy hero. That is until his love for the Baron’s rosy-cheeked daughter, Cunegonde, is detected and, by way of punishment, he is ejected from this Eden.
Here begins Candide’s extraordinary and epic journey around the globe. As he trudges across continents in search of his beloved he encounters war, plague, religion, sex and a cast of pitiful unfortunates. The world he experiences is cruel and frequently brutal… Will it chip away at his insatiable optimism?
Tom Wright transforms Voltaire’s classic satire of enlightened insanity, Candide, into a cutting commentary on the no-worries bravura of the Australian swagger.
Just like Candide, this rambunctious production from director Michael Kantor, has travelled the globe: since its debut at Malthouse Melbourne it has been performed at Edinburgh International Festival, where Frank Woodley won a Herald Angel Award for his performance as the criminally cheerful Candide.
2 Hours 10 Minutes, Including Interval
Photo of Frank Woodley: Garth Oriander
Production photos: Jeff Busby
Reviews
"Heading a strong cast, Woodley is perfect as Candide.... he brings a delightful, touching, bewildered innocence to the role" The Sunday Telegraph
"Exploding like a confetti-loaded canon, this rollicking mishmash of theatrical forms is a wild and hilarious ride....Running the gamut from Commedia Dell’Arte to Broadway musical, with a generous helping of stand-up comedy on the side, director Michael Kantor has delivered a no holds barred production." artshub.com.au
"Michael Kantor's production combines stand-up comedy, vaudeville, '80s kitsch and commedia.... Exceptionally good performances from the ensemble and lain Grandage's live score (played by Alan John) cement the show." The Sydney Morning Herald
"* * * * a big bold brash updating of the French writer’s provocative 18th century novel of ideas… a rollicking good night out." - The Glasgow Herald
