Sydney Theatre Company announces 1997 season

Issue 

By Tony Smith

The Sydney Theatre Company demonstrated a modern approach to the sale of its 1997 season of plays by inviting media and friends to the theatre for an upbeat launch. The set was dominated by strawberry mountains and champagne lakes big enough to temporarily distract the sophisticated Sydneysider's view of the harbour glowing in the golden rays of the setting spring sun.

The serious business was conducted in a friendly and relaxed fashion — with the plays announced variously by anecdote, a video cross to Perth and a burlesque commercial which implausibly featured the titles of the season's dramas.

The STC has compiled a very strong bill for 1997. There are classics such as Moliere's Tartuffe, Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors, Coward's Private Lives and Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf? There are Australian works by David Williamson, Michael Gurr and Nick Enright, and of special interest Tony McNamara's The John Wayne Principle developed locally this year in the New Stages program. And there is more — Master Class, Vita and Virginia and The Herbal Bed.

The program will not please everyone. Female playwrights may feel that the choice was unadventurous and that the commercial has dominated the artistic. The directors promise, however, that their productions will be challenging and exciting, and that audiences will be so moved that post-performance drug testing may be necessary. Nothing safe about that in Olympic City!

The subscription system offers a choice of bulk booking between six and 11 plays, so the keen theatregoer can make considerable savings and avoid the disappointment of finding a performance booked out.

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.