Managing Carmen
by David Williamson
2014 National Tour
May 12 – August 26 2014 – 14 week tour to 33 venues in VIC, TAS, NSW, QLD & WA
Drysdale, Bendigo, Echuca, Swan Hill, Dandenong, Warragul, Frankston, Southbank (Melb), Launceston, Devonport, Bairnsdale, Traralgon, Ballarat, Nunawading, Queanbeyan, Cessnock, Dubbo, Ipswich, Logan, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Surfer’s Paradise, Cairns, Ayr, Proserpine, Charter’s Towers, Broome, South Hedland, Carnarvon, Subiaco, Bruce Rock, Kalamunda, Esperance.
A production by Christine Harris & HIT Productions.
AFL player. Brownlow medallist. Cross dresser.
Sports Manager Rohan Swift needs to uncover what is troubling his star player. Brent Lyall is at the top of his game and should be on top of the world: captain of the most powerful football club in Australia, he has two medals and a beautiful girlfriend on his arm; but something is holding him back from being the charismatic hero the public and his sponsors expect. Brent hides a secret obsession that will rock the nation.
Off the field, Brent has a penchant for designer dresses and prefers a pair of Manolo Blahniks to footy boots… plus his alter ego ‘Carmen’ is about to go public. With millions at stake from endorsement deals, ruthless Rohan will do anything to stop sleazy tabloid predator Max Upfield from exposing Brent’s private fetish to the fickle football-fanatic public.
Acclaimed Australian playwright and National Living Treasure David Williamson delivers another hilarious football story – this time, with a twist. In spectacular form, Managing Carmen takes a satirical look at the characters behind the nation’s favourite sport: greedy sports managers, champion footballers, bimbo girlfriends and notorious tabloid writers.
After nationwide tours of acclaimed Williamson plays The Club, Let the Sunshine and When Dad Married Fury, HIT Productions has assembled its award-winning creative team once again to bring you this new production of Managing Carmen.
“This is one of the funniest and most entertaining plays David has written in his illustrious career. To perform this play a few months after a federal election when acceptance of those different from the mainstream will inevitably be tested – and by some, ruthlessly exploited – is certainly appropriate and a further testament to Williamson’s amazing ability to mirror and critique the contemporary mood of the nation.“
– Denis Moore, Director
Reviews
“David Williamson is at the top of his game with Managing Carmen. It’s immensely funny, zips along faster than the NBN, and has a pay-off that’s poignant in its plea for tolerance in our sport-obsessed society. Managing Carmen proves once again why David Williamson is one of “Australia’s Living National Treasures.’”
– Peter Pinne, Stage Whispers
“By full time, Williamson’s witty banter and colourful characters have hit their mark. Williamson deftly plays the field of gender identity politics with style and sequins. Managing Carmen has all the wit of Williamson’s 1978 hit The Club, with a twist. The audience loved it.“
– Caroline Heim, The Australian
“Laugh-out-loud funny all the while holding up a mirror to society. A hilarious satirical morality tale about what society prizes the most about a human being.“
– Aussie Theatre
Cast
Brent: Jamieson Caldwell
Rohan: Brandon Burke
Jessica: Hannah Norris
Clara: Annie Last
Max: Trent Baker
Creatives
Playwright: David Williamson
Director: Denis Moore
Lighting Designer: Jason Bovaird
Sound Designer: Chris Hubbard
Set Designer: Shaun Gurton
Costume Designer: Adrienne Chisholm