Home | Shows | Past Productions | 2023 season | A BROADCAST COUP
Cut-throat journalist Jez Connell is out for her next sting. It’s been a year since she brought down one of TV’s most lauded stars for behaving badly and now she’s got Michael King, the top-rated darling of public radio, in her sights. This time, it’s personal.
- Playwright Melanie Tait
- Director Janine Watson
- Cast Tony Cogin
Ben Gerrard
Alex King
Amber McMahon
Sharon Millerchip - Understudies Troy Harrison
Ella Prince - Voiceover Artists Bronte Bailey
Chloe Bayliss
Danielle Carter
Olivia Inwood
Ella Prince
Anna Williamson - Set & Costume Designer Veronique Benett
- Lighting Designer Matt Cox
- Composer & Sound Designer Clare Hennessy
- Video Associate Jessica Pizzinga
- Stage Manager Lauren Tulloh
- Costume Supervisor Evelyn Everaerts-Donaldson
- Intimacy Coordinator Shondelle Pratt
- 2020 Season Dramaturgs Priscilla Jackman
Sarah Odillo Maher - 2020 Workshop Director Priscilla Jackman
- Made possible by the generous support of Guy Reynolds AO & Jenny Reynolds and Diana & George Shirling.
- SUPPORTED BY SYDNEY FESTIVAL
- 04 Mar 2023
- 90 mins (no interval)
- Recommended for ages 14+
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Hearing Loop
- Audio Described (selected dates)
- Strong Language, Sexual References
Overview
WORLD PREMIERE
Cut-throat journalist Jez Connell is out for her next sting. It’s been a year since she brought down one of TV’s most lauded stars for behaving badly and now she’s got Michael King, the top-rated darling of public radio, in her sights. This time, it’s personal.
With the loyalty of his longstanding producer wavering, and a hip up-and-coming podcaster eager to take the mic off Mike, has the plug been pulled on Michael King’s career?
This brand new comedy from Melanie Tait, the writer of the sell-out THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE, will send ripples through the airwaves and spark heated debate.
Melanie teams up with director Janine Watson, who recently guided the Ensemble productions of NEARER THE GODS and STILL UNQUALIFIED, to present this world premiere that will have you laughing in the aisles.
Ticket Prices
For group bookings of 10+, please call Box office on (02 8918 3400) or email boxoffice@ensemble.com.au
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice.
| TICKET TYPE | PREVIEWS | IN SEASON |
|---|---|---|
| FULL PRICE | $85 | $90 |
| SENIOR CARD | $82 | $87 |
| PENSIONER | $78 | $83 |
| GROUP 10 - 19 | $78 | $83 |
| GROUP 20+ | $73 | $78 |
| 30 OR UNDER | $40 | $43 |
| FULL-TIME STUDENT | $40 | $43 |
| SCHOOL GROUPS | $25 | $25 |
Reviews
★★★★ “[Tait’s] dialogue is captivating, and her characters feel richly imagined. Her plot for A Broadcast Coup is engaging throughout” Suzy Goes See
★★★★1/2 “ a comedy with some dark laughs and extraordinary insight.” State of the Art
“Tait’s play is well-shaped and gently funny, her characters lovingly drawn and recognisable from the media landscape.” The Guardian
“Tait’s text is a biting one. Each scene is filled with anticipation, the audience can see what’s coming but Tait keeps us rolling with laughter with pithy one-liners about the boomer generation and misogyny that provide insight into the perspectives of the #metoo movement from three different generations.” Limelight Magazine
"Propelled by the riveting sound design by Clare Hennessy, along with Tait’s sharp, athletic dialogue, this is a dynamic, glittering play." Women's Agenda
“Millerchip’s Louise is beautifully drawn and performed” The Sydney Morning Herald
“Melanie Tait is a playwright with a sharp eye for human foibles and how they play out between people” Stage Noise
“great Australian and timely playwriting. Thoroughly entertaining from start to finish. Certainly, one not to miss!” Absolute Theatre
Cast & Creatives
Melanie Tait
Playwright
Janine Watson
Director
Tony Cogin
Cast
Ben Gerrard
Ben Gerrard graduated from NIDA (BA Acting) in 2006. He is best known for his television work having starred in OPEN SLATHER (Foxtel), MOLLY (2016 AACTA nominee best supporting actor, Drama), OUTLAND (ABC1), as well as the feature film WOLF CREEK 2. Other television credits include A PLACE TO CALL HOME (Foxtel), JACK IRISH: DEAD POINT (ABC), DEEP WATER (SBS), THE POWER OF 10: GALLIPOLI (7 network), and ALL SAINTS (7 Network). Theatre credits most recently include an acclaimed Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane tour of one-man show I AM MY OWN WIFE (OrielGroup/Red Line) for which Ben received a Sydney Theatre Award nomination for Best Actor in an Independent Production. Other recent theatre credits include HIDDEN SYDNEY -THE GLITTERING MILE (Working Management) and YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN (Hayes Theatre Co.). Ben has also toured Australia with the cabaret smash-hit SONGS FOR THE FALLEN (Old Fitz, Seymour Centre, Brisbane Festival, Sydney Festival, Adelaide Cabaret Festival), as well as national tours of SHAKESPEARE’S R & J (Riverside) and ACTORS AT WORK (Bell). He will again be touring I AM MY OWN WIFE in 2018, and was a Mike Walsh Fellowship recipient in 2015.
Alex King
Cast
Amber McMahon
Cast
Sharon Millerchip
Sharon returns to the stage after recently stepping out of the spotlight to work as Resident Director/Choreographer on the Disney blockbuster ALADDIN and Baz Luhrmann’s STRICTLY BALLROOM: THE MUSICAL. Sharon was last seen at the Ensemble Theatre in the smash hit one-woman show BOMBSHELLS, A PICASSO and LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS.
Other main stage roles include Roxie Hart in CHICAGO, Meg Giry in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s LOVE NEVER DIES, Belle in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Anita in WEST SIDE STORY, Charity in SWEET CHARITY, Catherine in PIPPIN, Meg Giry in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Velma Kelly in CHICAGO, Columbia in ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Sonia Walsk in THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG, Demeter in CATS, and Cordelia in FALSETTOS and Little Red Riding Hood in INTO THE WOODS for the STC.
Sharon has received many awards for her performances, including three Helpmann and Sydney Theatre Awards.
Troy Harrison
Understudy
Ella Prince
Understudy
Veronique Benett
Costume & Set Designer
Matt Cox
Lighting Designer
Clare Hennessy
Composer & Sound Designer
Lauren Tulloh
Stage Manager
Evelyn Everaerts-Donaldson
Costume Supervisor
Shondelle Pratt
Special Performances
Audio Described
- Thu 23 Feb 11am
- Sat 25 Feb 3.30pm
Tactile Tours are available 1 hour prior to Audio Described performances, please contact the Box Office to book.
Q&A Session
- Fri 10 Feb 8pm
- Tue 14 Feb 11am
Free Teen
- Wed 1 Mar 7.30pm
Photo Gallery
Photography by Prudence Upton
Download the Program
Discover more about A BROADCAST COUP with our digital program. It’s packed full of info about the show including a writer’s note, cast and creative bios, plus photos and more!