Popular Mechanicals Remount Show for Sydney Audiences

Following their riotous reception in 2015, the original cast of State Theatre Company South Australia's The Popular Mechanicals are heading east to remount the show for Sydney Theatre Company, marshalled once again by former STC Resident Director Sarah Giles. Performances are at The Wharf from 6 April to 13 May 2017.

This play of mischief, song and sheer silliness was a smash hit with audiences and critics alike in Adelaide with The Australian saying "the excellent cast is inventive and versatile" and Scenestr declaring it "hilarious from the get-go".

First directed by Geoffrey Rush in 1987, The Popular Mechanicals was written by Keith Robinson and Tony Taylor, inspired by the Rude Mechanicals of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. The play follows the backstory Shakespeare's greatest clowns; the group of amateur thespians who stage the ridiculously earnest and unintentionally hysterical Pyramus and Thisbe.

The actors of that original production of The Popular Mechanicals-including Paul Blackwell and Kerry Walker among others-went on to become some of Australia's most acclaimed stage actors. This production stars a troupe of the next generation's best comedic talents, led by Helpmann Award-winning actress Amber McMahon and multi-Helpmann Award-winning actress Julie Forsyth. They are joined on stage by Lori Bell, Charles Mayer, Tim Overton and Rory Walker.

With excerpts from the original text of A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Popular Mechanicals rejoices in its own extravagance of expression. Farce, slapstick and bad puppetry combine joyfully together in this anarchically unhinged carnival that revels in its own theatricality. The cast of the play-within-a-play star in their very own behind-the-scenes romp of what might have happened off-stage during the Bard's most loved comedy.

Cast: Lori Bell, Julie Forsyth, Charles Mayer, Amber McMahon, Tim Overton, Rory Walker

Director: Sarah Giles. Designer: Jonathon Oxlade. Lighting Designer: Mark Pennington. Sound Designer, Composer and Musical Director: David Heinrich. Choreographer: Gabrielle Nankivell

Pricing and ticket information:

Saturday evening $55, Adult $55, Seniors cardholder $55, Concession $55, Preview $49, Under 30 $49, Groups (10+ people), excluding Saturday evening $46.

Suncorp Twenties (tickets for just $20 for every STC performance) become available for The Popular Mechanicals fromThursday 30 March 2017. Suncorp Twenties are released for sale every Thursday at 9am for the following week's performances (Mon to Sat).

Box Office: 02 9250 1777. www.sydneytheatre.com.au.

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