JASPER JONES Gets Stage Adaptation at Belvoir St Theatre, 2 Jan-7 Feb

JASPER JONES, a cracker play for any Australian, of any age*, and any creed, based on the novel by Craig Silvey and adapted by Kate Mulvany, will play Belvoir St Theatre, 2 January - 7 February 2016.

Directed by Anne-Louise Sarks, the JASPER JONES creative team also includes set designer Michael Hankin, costume designer Mel Page, lighting designer Matt Scott, assistant lighting designer Daniel Anderson, composer & sound designer Steve Toulmin, fight choreographer Scott Witt, choreographer Sara Black, and cultural consultant Jada Alberts.

JASPER JONES stars Tom Conroy, Kate Mulvany, Matilda Ridgway, Steve Rodgers, Guy Simon, and Charles Wu.

The backblocks of Western Australia. It's summer, 1965. Overseas there's war in Indochina, Civil Rights marches, the stirrings of women's liberation - but at home Charlie Bucktin dreams of writing the Great Australian Novel.

Charlie's 13 and smart. Perhaps too smart. But when blamed-for-everything Jasper Jones appears at his window one night, Charlie's out of his depth. Jasper has stumbled upon a terrible crime in the scrub nearby, and he knows he's the first suspect - that goes with the colour of his skin. He needs every ounce of Charlie's bookish brain if the truth is to emerge before the town turns on Jasper.

As the boys negotiate the secrets of a small town, the winds of change blow... But how do teenage Australians solve the riddles of a changing world?

Kate Mulvany's adaptation of Craig Silvey's award-winning novel is like Dorothy Hewett riffing on Harper Lee. It's funny and it's wise. Mulvany collaborated with director Anne-Louise Sarks on their astonishing production of Medea in 2012; this production sees them reunited. Sarks and Mulvany have just returned from London where Medea enjoyed an acclaimed and extended season at The Gate Theatre.

Sarks has demonstrated an uncanny knack for crafting productions that resonate across generations, as demonstrated with A Christmas Carol and Seventeen. Jasper Jones sees her return to this world - just this side of magic - that appeals so broadly.

Tom Conroy (Mortido) stars as Charlie Bucktin with Charles Wu(Samson) as Jeffrey, along with Matilda Ridgway (Hamlet, Bell Shakespeare), making her Belvoir debut. Unfortunately Lasarus Ratuere is no longer able to play the role of Jasper Jones, we are very pleased that Guy Simon, who was already cast in Melbourne Theatre Company's production, has stepped in to play the role.

Kate Mulvany joins the cast for her first on-stage role at Belvoir since 2008, along with Steve Rodgers (A Christmas Carol) as Mr and Mrs Bucktin.

Jasper Jones is a coming-of-age story for a generation, and a nation too.

*If you're 13 or over!

IF YOU GO:

JASPER JONES

Dates: 2 January - 7 February 2016

Previews:
8pm Saturday 2 January
6.30pm Sunday 3 January
8pm Tuesday 6 January

Opening Night: 8pm Wednesday 7 January

Unwaged Performance:
2pm Thursday 28 January
Sunday Forum
3pm 7 February

Times:
Tuesday & Wednesday 6.30pm,
Thursday & Friday 8pm
Saturday 2pm & 8pm
Sunday 5pm

Tickets*: Full $72-$92, Seniors/Industry/Group $62, Concession $49, Previews $40, 30 Down $47, Student Saver $37

Venue: Upstairs Theatre, Belvoir St Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills

Box Office: 02 9699 3444 or belvoir.com.au

* Ticket prices can be dynamically adjusted, either up or down, based on real-time market demand, and without notice.

Pictured: Matilda Ridgway. Photo by Brett Boardman.

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