David Williamson's Play About Rupert Murdoch Opens in Melbourne

Australia's best known and most prolific playwright, David Williamson takes on the greatest media mogul of all time in the world premiere of Rupert which opens today, 29 August 2013 at Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse, directed by Lee Lewis. Following its world premiere, Rupert will tour to Washington D.C. for five performances between 12-15 March 2014 as part of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts WORLD STAGES: InterNational Theatre Festival.

Born in Melbourne in 1931 into one of the Australia's most powerful and influential families, Rupert Murdoch's passion for print saw him build an unrivalled global media empire. Yet few would argue his rise to the top has not been without controversy or sacrifice. Following the Leveson Inquiry into News International's phone hacking scandal, Williamson's play looks behind the news to the man himself - a political kingmaker, devoted father, loving son, ruthless businessman - as he forges his destiny. The world premiere of David Williamson's riveting political fantasia, commissioned by MTC, is guaranteed to
make headlines.

David Williamson's impressive career spans film, TV and theatre. His major works include The Removalists, Don's Party, Don Parties On, The Department, Dead White Males, The Club, Travelling North, The
Perfectionist, Emerald City, Money and Friends, Phar Lap, The Year of Living Dangerously, Gallipoli, Brilliant Lies and Let the Sunshine. His plays have been translated into many languages and performed internationally, including major productions in London, Los Angeles, New York and Washington. David was the first person outside Britain to receive the George Devine Award (for The Removalists). His many awards include twelve Australian Writers' Guild AWGIE Awards, five Australian Film Institutes' Awards for Best Screenplay and, in 1996 The United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Award. David holds four honorary doctorates; received an Officer of the Order of Australia; and has been named one of Australia's Living National Treasures.

Lee Lewis took up the role of Artistic Director at Griffin Theatre Company in 2013, where she had been Associate Director for four years. Her Griffin directing credits include The Bull The Moon and the Coronet of Stars, A Hoax, Silent Disco, The Call and The Nightwatchman. Other directing credits include The School For Wives, Twelfth Night for Bell Shakespeare; Honour, ZEBRA! and Love Lies Bleeding for Sydney Theatre Company; This Heaven, That Face for Belvoir; and Highway of Lost Hearts for Darwin Festival. She holds
an MFA from Columbia University and an MFA from NIDA. Currency House published her book Cross-Racial Casting: Changing the Face of Australian Theatre as part of their Platform Paper series. Director Lee Lewis; Set and Costume Designer Stephen Curtis; Lighting Designer Niklas Pajanti; Composer Kelly Ryall;
Dramaturg Chris Mead; Assistant Director Clare Watson; Choreographer Andrew Hallsworth

The cast includes: Marg Downey, Guy Edmonds (Young Rupert), Daniela Farinacci, Simon Gleeson, Bert LaBonte, HaiHa Le, Sean O'Shea (Rupert), Scott Sheridan

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