2019 Season - Ensemble Theatre Ensemble Theatre Fri, 04 Apr 2025 04:31:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Photos: THE ODD COUPLE https://www.ensemble.com.au/photos-the-odd-couple/ Mon, 02 Dec 2019 03:59:45 +0000 http://www.ensemble.com.au/?p=9810 Riotous one liners, colourful characters and a whole lot of heart – THE ODD COUPLE has it all! Don’t miss Neil Simon’s Tony Award winning comedy, on stage until 29 Dec. Photography by Prudence Upton. Catch THE ODD COUPLE until 29 Dec, book here.

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]]> Riotous one liners, colourful characters and a whole lot of heart – THE ODD COUPLE has it all! Don’t miss Neil Simon’s Tony Award winning comedy, on stage until 29 Dec. Photography by Prudence Upton.

Five men sit around a table playing cards in a cosy, book-filled room. They react with surprise and laughter as one man in the background sprays liquid, capturing a lively, celebratory moment. Bottles and poker chips are on the table. Three men in vintage clothing are in a dining room. The man in the centre gestures with a confused expression, while the other two men look on. The table is set for a meal, and shelves and cupboards are in the background. Six men sit around a table playing poker, with drinks and poker chips scattered. One man covers his mouth, another looks stressed, whilst another stands at a window in the background. The setting appears to be a cosy, lived-in room. Two men sit on a sofa in a cluttered living room, with food, drinks, and beer cans on the coffee table. One man looks tired holding a bottle, while the other gestures animatedly during conversation. Two women in colourful dresses sit on a sofa, laughing and clapping excitedly while facing a man whose back is to the camera. The scene appears joyful and lively in a cosy living room setting. Two women in patterned dresses sit and smile on a sofa in a warmly lit sitting room, facing a man in a suit with his back to the camera. A coffee table with coasters and books is in front of them. A middle-aged man in a pink shirt and checked bow tie sits at a dining table with a green wine bottle, glass, and candle, looking thoughtful. Bottles are visible on a shelf in the background. Two men in a lounge set appear to argue; one stands defensively with arms up, while the other gestures with a lamp. The room features a dining table, chairs, sofa, and a coffee table with decorative items. Two men sit on a sofa in a cosy living room, engaged in an animated conversation. One holds a sheet of paper and gestures enthusiastically, while the other smiles and listens attentively. Four men sit around a table playing cards. One, wearing an apron and holding a plate of food, smiles whilst the others watch. The man standing wears a Yankees jersey. The scene is set in a cosy, brightly lit room. Three men in a living room; one man sits on a blue sofa with an ice pack on his head, placed there by another man, while the third man stands nearby, looking concerned with his hand covering his mouth. Two men are in a room; one in a Yankees jersey blows smoke upwards while seated, the other stands holding an air freshener, looking at him. The setting resembles a cosy, cluttered living room or study. Three men in dress shirts and ties stand indoors, looking seriously at another person whose back is to the camera. One man holds a coat, and another leans against the doorframe. They appear to be in a tense conversation. Two men have an intense conversation in a room with shelves, books, and various bottles. One man, bald and bearded, gestures while seated, facing the other man in a white shirt and braces. A man hoovers the floor in a cosy, well-lit living room with wooden furniture, a blue sofa, and various decorations, giving the scene a homely and organised atmosphere. Four people sit in a living room set; two women on a sofa appear upset, wiping their eyes, while a man holds a tray with glasses and another man sits nearby, dabbing his face with a cloth. The scene is tense and emotional.

Catch THE ODD COUPLE until 29 Dec, book here.

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]]> PROGRAM: THE ODD COUPLE https://www.ensemble.com.au/program-the-odd-couple/ Mon, 25 Nov 2019 04:55:01 +0000 http://www.ensemble.com.au/?p=9791 Want to know more about Neil Simon’s hilarious Tony Award winning play? Our downloadable program is full of exciting extra tidbits about the show. You’ll find a director’s note from Mark Kilmurry, synopsis, photos of the talented cast in rehearsals and more! DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM

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]]> Want to know more about Neil Simon’s hilarious Tony Award winning play? Our downloadable program is full of exciting extra tidbits about the show. You’ll find a director’s note from Mark Kilmurry, synopsis, photos of the talented cast in rehearsals and more!

DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM

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]]> Program: BABY DOLL https://www.ensemble.com.au/program-baby-doll/ Mon, 14 Oct 2019 23:07:39 +0000 http://www.ensemble.com.au/?p=9319 Want to know more about Tennessee Williams’ tale of lust, jealousy and betrayal? The BABY DOLL downloadable program is full of exciting extra tidbits about the show. You’ll find a director’s note from Shaun Rennie, synopsis, photos of the cast in rehearsals plus more! DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM (PDF) At Ensemble Theatre 18 Oct – 16 […]

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]]> Want to know more about Tennessee Williams’ tale of lust, jealousy and betrayal? The BABY DOLL downloadable program is full of exciting extra tidbits about the show. You’ll find a director’s note from Shaun Rennie, synopsis, photos of the cast in rehearsals plus more!

DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM (PDF)

At Ensemble Theatre 18 Oct – 16 Nov, book here.

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]]> Program: FULLY COMMITTED https://www.ensemble.com.au/program-fully-committed/ Mon, 14 Oct 2019 02:53:38 +0000 http://www.ensemble.com.au/?p=9305 Want to know more about Becky Mode’s hilarious and fast-paced comedy, FULLY COMMITTED? Our downloadable program is full of exciting extra tidbits about the show. You’ll find a director’s note from Kate Champion, synopsis, photos of the rehearsals plus more! DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM (PDF) At Ensemble Theatre 11 Oct – 16 Nov, book here.

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]]> Want to know more about Becky Mode’s hilarious and fast-paced comedy, FULLY COMMITTED? Our downloadable program is full of exciting extra tidbits about the show. You’ll find a director’s note from Kate Champion, synopsis, photos of the rehearsals plus more!

DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM (PDF)

At Ensemble Theatre 11 Oct – 16 Nov, book here.

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]]> Photos: BABY DOLL in rehearsal https://www.ensemble.com.au/photos-baby-doll-in-rehearsal/ Tue, 08 Oct 2019 02:38:51 +0000 http://www.ensemble.com.au/?p=9242 The BABY DOLL rehearsal room is alive with that familiar heat and sizzle of Tennessee Williams! Take a peek at the team in rehearsals for this sultry and wry adaptation about lust, betrayal and jealousy. Photography by Phil Erbacher. Playing at Ensemble Theatre 18 Oct – 16 Nov, book here.

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]]> The BABY DOLL rehearsal room is alive with that familiar heat and sizzle of Tennessee Williams! Take a peek at the team in rehearsals for this sultry and wry adaptation about lust, betrayal and jealousy. Photography by Phil Erbacher.

A woman with short brown hair sits and looks up intently at a raised hand in front of her. In the background, a man in a light shirt sits and watches the interaction. The setting appears to be indoors. A young woman with shoulder-length brown hair stands indoors, holding papers in one hand. She wears a green top and high-waisted trousers, and looks focused or thoughtful, with ceiling lights visible above her. An elderly woman with grey hair, wearing glasses and a purple cardigan, is smiling and holding papers while standing in front of a window with bright light coming through. A man with a beard sits on a step at the bottom of a wooden staircase, resting his face on his hand and looking thoughtful. A light stand with cables is positioned in front of him. A young woman with brown hair in a ponytail, wearing a green ribbed T-shirt and maroon high-waisted trousers, holds papers and looks to the side with a serious expression in a bright indoor setting. Two men sit on a small wooden staircase indoors; one holds papers and points while the other looks ahead, both engaged in conversation or rehearsal. The setting appears informal with a blackboard and scattered items behind them. A man holding papers talks to a woman who is stretching her arm and looking at him. They appear to be in a rehearsal or studio space with white walls and exposed pipes. A middle-aged man with a beard and light blue shirt stands indoors, pointing and speaking with an intense expression. Bright natural light streams through windows behind him. A woman sits on a man’s lap, both holding papers and gazing at each other seriously in a rehearsal space with a black wall and wooden staircase in the background. An older woman sits on a white chair reading a paper, while a younger person sits on the floor by a sunlit window, knees drawn up, also holding papers and looking outside. A young woman lies on a wooden floor under a table, looking upwards. She wears a green shirt and has dark hair with a fringe. In the background, there’s a green bucket, suitcase, and other objects. Four people are in a rehearsal space. One man stands gesturing, another stands on raised steps, a woman sits on the floor with papers, and an older man sits thoughtfully on the steps. A tyre and a notebook are on the floor.

Playing at Ensemble Theatre 18 Oct – 16 Nov, book here.

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]]> Photos: FULLY COMMITTED in rehearsal https://www.ensemble.com.au/photos-fully-committed-in-rehearsal/ Tue, 01 Oct 2019 03:17:31 +0000 http://www.ensemble.com.au/?p=9208 It’s madness in the FULLY COMMITTED rehearsal room and with over 30 demanding characters, it’s no wonder why! Starting previews next Friday, don’t miss this fast-paced and hilarious Broadway smash about our modern obsession with food. Photography by Phil Erbacher. At Ensemble Theatre 11 Oct – 16 Nov, book here.

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]]> It’s madness in the FULLY COMMITTED rehearsal room and with over 30 demanding characters, it’s no wonder why! Starting previews next Friday, don’t miss this fast-paced and hilarious Broadway smash about our modern obsession with food. Photography by Phil Erbacher.

A woman with long hair, wearing a dark T-shirt, talks on a corded phone while pulling a silly face and gesturing with her hands in a playful manner. A woman with long hair, wearing a dark T-shirt and a light jacket tied around her waist, talks animatedly on a corded phone in an office with multiple desk phones and a whiteboard in the background. A woman's hair stands on end from static electricity as she holds multiple old telephones and takes a selfie in a cluttered room filled with electronic equipment. Two women sit indoors, engaged in conversation. One holds a colourful tabbed notebook, and both appear focused and collaborative. The setting has a wooden ceiling and office equipment in the background. A woman reclines on wooden steps, balancing on one leg while talking on a corded telephone. Multiple vintage telephones are on a counter nearby, and a colourful rucksack sits beside her. The setting appears to be a workshop or backstage area. Two women sit at a table covered with papers and office supplies in a cluttered workspace, one pointing and speaking whilst the other listens thoughtfully with her hand on her chin. Two other people are in the background. A young woman stands behind a row of desk telephones, holding one receiver to her ear, with her hair flying upwards as if caught mid-jump. She wears jeans, a T-shirt, and a jacket tied around her waist. A woman stands in an office, holding two corded telephones and talking on both. She looks stressed and overwhelmed, with a shirt tied round her waist and office furniture in the background. A young woman smiling and talking on a corded phone walks through a workshop or backstage area with wooden benches and various materials stacked against the wall. She wears jeans, a T-shirt, and a jumper tied around her waist.

At Ensemble Theatre 11 Oct – 16 Nov, book here.

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]]> Director’s Note: BABY DOLL https://www.ensemble.com.au/directors-note-baby-doll/ Thu, 19 Sep 2019 07:12:13 +0000 http://www.ensemble.com.au/?p=9127 Upon its release in 1956, the film version of BABY DOLL provoked virulent threats from protestors, bans from religious leaders, and flippancy from critics who dismissed it as a lurid tale of a virgin child bride, her sexually frustrated husband, and her smarmy lover. A collaboration between Tennessee Williams and director Elia Kazan, BABY DOLL […]

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]]> Upon its release in 1956, the film version of BABY DOLL provoked virulent threats from protestors, bans from religious leaders, and flippancy from critics who dismissed it as a lurid tale of a virgin child bride, her sexually frustrated husband, and her smarmy lover. A collaboration between Tennessee Williams and director Elia Kazan, BABY DOLL inspired such outrage that it was condemned from the pulpit of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral by Cardinal Francis Spellman. Re-examining BABY DOLL through a contemporary theatrical lens has allowed us to explore the continually evolving and shifting beliefs regarding a woman’s right to autonomy and control over her sexuality. Together we’ve interrogated the complex and nuanced conversation surrounding Affirmative Consent, the many roles women are forced to “perform” in order to manoeuvre their way through an unbalanced system where the male gaze is omnipresent, and to question the permanence and depth of exciting social changes that have been made slowly but progressively towards righting that imbalance. It feels like a dangerous conversation to be having in 2019 and I have questioned my own privilege as a white, male storyteller in this process. I have faced the conundrum of not wanting to speak on behalf of anyone yet at the same time wishing to engage with the conversation. I hope that this production inspires further interrogation of a system that Williams and Kazan were clearly lampooning back in 1956, but which is still unfortunately pervasive today. BABY DOLL was programmed following a staged reading I directed at Ensemble Theatre whilst a recipient of the Ensemble Theatre Sandra Bates Directors Award. I am very grateful for Ensemble Theatre’s support and for the opportunity to work with such an incredible cast and creative team. It has been a joy.

Shaun Rennie
Director

At Ensemble Theatre 18 Oct – 16 Nov, book here.

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]]> Synopsis: BABY DOLL https://www.ensemble.com.au/synopsis-baby-doll/ Thu, 19 Sep 2019 07:10:26 +0000 http://www.ensemble.com.au/?p=9123 AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE Heat and desire sizzle in every line of Tennessee Williams’ Deep South tale of lust, jealousy and betrayal. Down-on-his-luck Archie Lee is obsessed with his young bride, Baby Doll, but Baby is keeping her husband on a long leash. When the neighbouring cotton gin is burnt to the ground, dangerously charismatic Silva Vacarro […]

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]]> AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

Heat and desire sizzle in every line of Tennessee Williams’ Deep South tale of lust, jealousy and betrayal.

Down-on-his-luck Archie Lee is obsessed with his young bride, Baby Doll, but Baby is keeping her husband on a long leash. When the neighbouring cotton gin is burnt to the ground, dangerously charismatic Silva Vacarro pays them a visit, suspicious that Archie is to blame. In the steamy hours that follow, power and passion come irresistibly to the fore as a game of truth or dare plays out.

Peppered with wry humour and sultry comedy, this brand new adaptation breathes fresh life into a beautifully crafted tale by one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century.

At Ensemble Theatre 18 Oct – 16 Nov, book here.

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]]> Video: THE LAST WIFE https://www.ensemble.com.au/video-the-last-wife/ Fri, 13 Sep 2019 01:58:53 +0000 http://www.ensemble.com.au/?p=9053 Take a step into the deadly world of THE LAST WIFE and witness the dangerous sparring between King Henry VIII and Katherine Parr, reframed through a provocative contemporary lens. Until 29 Sep, book your tickets to this seductive, witty and compelling tale today! At Ensemble Theatre until 29 Sep, book here.

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]]> Take a step into the deadly world of THE LAST WIFE and witness the dangerous sparring between King Henry VIII and Katherine Parr, reframed through a provocative contemporary lens. Until 29 Sep, book your tickets to this seductive, witty and compelling tale today!

At Ensemble Theatre until 29 Sep, book here.

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]]> Photos: THE LAST WIFE https://www.ensemble.com.au/photos-the-last-wife/ Thu, 05 Sep 2019 01:07:27 +0000 http://www.ensemble.com.au/?p=8977 Now playing, get set for this deadly game of power, passion and intrigue! Through a contemporary lens, witness the dangerous sparring between Henry VIII and Katherine Parr, the queen who survived. Until 29 Sep, don’t miss it. Photography by Phil Erbacher.   At Ensemble Theatre until 29 Sep, book today.

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]]> Now playing, get set for this deadly game of power, passion and intrigue! Through a contemporary lens, witness the dangerous sparring between Henry VIII and Katherine Parr, the queen who survived. Until 29 Sep, don’t miss it. Photography by Phil Erbacher.

Two women stand on a dimly lit stage; one is helping the other adjust a long, elegant white dress. A large portrait of a woman's face is visible in the background, and the set includes a bed and a table with chairs. A man with a beard stands onstage in a black formal suit with medals, hands in his pockets. He stands beside a red and gold patterned bed, with a large portrait of a woman's face in the background. A smiling man in a tan coat sits on the floor, hugging a laughing child dressed in school uniform. They appear joyful, with a red patterned curtain in the background. A man in a dressing gown sits on a bed, gently touching the face of a woman in a green dress beside him. The woman looks down, appearing thoughtful or sad. They are surrounded by patterned cushions and bedding. Two people sit opposite each other at a table, focusing intently on a small chessboard as one makes a move. The setting appears to be a stage with dramatic lighting and a patterned backdrop. A young boy lies on a patterned bedspread, deeply focused on a chessboard in front of him, studying the pieces and contemplating his next move. A child and an adult playfully pretend to battle with model ships, making animated faces. They stand in front of a large, ornate bed on a dark stage, suggesting a theatrical performance. A woman in a white sleeveless dress sits at a table with a folder and pen, looking thoughtfully to the side. A bed with a red and gold patterned cover is in the background. A white jacket and jewellery rest on the table. Two women in white dresses sit at a black table on stage; one holds papers and smiles, whilst the other sits with a notebook and pen, looking neutral. A bed with red and blue bedding is in the background. A bearded man in a white shirt sits at a table with a chessboard, leaning back and laughing with his hand raised, against a dark background. A woman in a satin dress stands with her arms folded, looking away, whilst a man in a black dinner jacket gestures with one hand behind her. The setting appears dramatic, with dim lighting and elegant decor. A man in a suit sits with a slight smile whilst a woman with curly red hair leans forward over a table covered in papers, looking at him intently. They appear to be in a dramatic conversation in a dimly lit room. A man in a formal suit with medals and a blue sash stands on a dimly lit stage next to an ornate bed with red and gold bedclothes, looking serious and contemplative. A pupil in a school uniform stands on a dark stage, holding a detailed model ship and speaking or singing, with an expressive look on their face. A man and a woman sit on an ornate, red and gold bed under warm hanging lights, facing each other in conversation. The setting appears theatrical, with dark surroundings highlighting the bed. A bearded man in a dress shirt shouts passionately at a table, while a woman in a yellow dress next to him appears distressed and leans away; another person is partly visible in the foreground. Four people sit around a dining table with plates, cups, and a wine bottle. One man leans back with his feet on the table, smiling and pointing, while the others look at him. The scene is warmly lit, with a black background. A woman in a yellow floral dress looks to the side with a serious expression as a hand holds a black folder towards her against a dark background. A woman in a yellow floral dress looks down at a tablet, whilst another woman in a blue dress with a cross necklace sits in the background holding papers. The scene appears to be from a stage performance. A woman in a blue dress sings passionately on stage, standing in front of a red and gold ornate bed with cushions, under dramatic lighting. A man with a beard, dressed in a formal black suit with medals on his chest, smiles and clasps his hands whilst standing on a dimly lit stage near a bed with ornate blue and purple bedclothes. A man in a grey suit and a woman in a green dress stand close together, touching foreheads intimately, in front of a bed with a red patterned bedspread on a dimly lit stage.

 

At Ensemble Theatre until 29 Sep, book today.

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]]> Program: THE LAST WIFE https://www.ensemble.com.au/program-the-last-wife/ Fri, 23 Aug 2019 05:10:14 +0000 http://www.ensemble.com.au/?p=8879 Want to know more about Kate Hennig’s thrilling and powerful drama THE LAST WIFE? Our downloadable program is full of exciting extra tidbits about the show. You’ll find a note from Artistic Director Mark Kilmurry, synopsis, photos of the cast in rehearsals plus more! DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM (PDF) At Ensemble Theatre 30 Aug – 29 Sep, […]

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]]> Want to know more about Kate Hennig’s thrilling and powerful drama THE LAST WIFE? Our downloadable program is full of exciting extra tidbits about the show. You’ll find a note from Artistic Director Mark Kilmurry, synopsis, photos of the cast in rehearsals plus more!

DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM (PDF)

At Ensemble Theatre 30 Aug – 29 Sep, book here.

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]]> Q&A: Simone Romaniuk on designing THE LAST WIFE https://www.ensemble.com.au/qa-simone-romaniuk-on-designing-the-last-wife/ Mon, 19 Aug 2019 04:01:01 +0000 http://www.ensemble.com.au/?p=8842 The story of THE LAST WIFE follows the dangerous sparring between Henry VIII and Katherine Parr, but you won’t find our royal family dressed in ruffs and corsets or hanging out in dark castles for that matter. Re-imagined through a richly provocative contemporary lens, these characters exude a modern sense of wealth, luxury and formality […]

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]]> The story of THE LAST WIFE follows the dangerous sparring between Henry VIII and Katherine Parr, but you won’t find our royal family dressed in ruffs and corsets or hanging out in dark castles for that matter. Re-imagined through a richly provocative contemporary lens, these characters exude a modern sense of wealth, luxury and formality more akin to Will and Kate or Harry and Meghan than what we read in English history books!

What does the world of THE LAST WIFE look like in this re-telling you ask? We sat down with set and costume designer Simone Romaniuk to ask a few questions about her process as a designer, first impressions of the story and playing with modern references.

What is your creative process in the early design stages?

Initially I read through the script several times, have a discussion with the director and then start researching the world of the play. This might involve period, location, events depicted in the play or ideas around the characters. I collate reference imagery that relates to themes as well as possible architectural and clothing elements and talk with the director about which of these best convey the sense of the play in our version. Next I create renders and sketches and finally a model and plans.

What were your first impressions as a designer upon reading THE LAST WIFE? Did anything standout to you?

It is a striking account of a bold woman making substantial changes within a very masculine world. The fact that it is based on true events with real characters so many centuries ago is fascinating. I wanted to create a space that had a wealthy, masculine feel, balanced with an emerging female strength. It is a complex script, and moves quickly between scenes, so the design had to allow an open and flexible space for public scenes as well as the ability to create more intimate, private moments.

THE LAST WIFE is a contemporary re-imagining of historical events. How are you pulling your designs into this modern context?

Reference to the current royal families in the UK and Europe was the starting point for costume. There is a formality and sense of wealth around the family in the play, which can be seen in the public personas of the royal families we see in the media today. There is also a domesticity which feels very contemporary.

Did you do much historical research for inspiration?

Yes, I looked at the history of the original Tudor family and also at the architecture, artwork and royal imagery of the period. Small details in the set are drawn from historical reference; the marble floor with angled gold inlay, diamond patterning on the walls and historical royal portraits as large scale wall hangings.

At Ensemble Theatre 30 Aug – 29 Sep, book here.

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