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Writer Michael Frayn, creator of international hits COPENHAGEN and NOISES OFF, explores what it is to be human in a statistically driven world, in this Olivier Award-winning comedy set in the late 1960s.
- Playwright Michael Frayn
- Director Mark Kilmurry
- Assistant Director Margaret Thanos
- Cast Gareth Davies
Megan Drury
Matt Minto
Emma Palmer - Set & Costume Designer Nick Fry
- Lighting Designer Matt Cox
- Sound Designer David Grigg
- Dialect Coach Linda Nicholls-Gidley
- Stage Manager Isabella Kerdijk
- Costume Supervisor Renata Beslik
- 22 Jul 2023
- 2hrs 10mins (including interval)
- Recommended for ages 14+
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Hearing Loop
- Audio Described (selected dates)
Overview
David and Jane are a happy and prosperous couple. He’s an idealistic architect and she’s an anthropologist who always stands with him. Their neighbours Colin and Sheila are by comparison struggling. Colin’s glory-days are over and Sheila is subservient and unfocused.
David feels his new architectural dream, the redevelopment of an inner-city housing project, will be the answer to future home building. However as Sheila settles into her neighbours’ way of life, Colin starts to oppose David’s bright new view of the future. Can struggling Colin become an unlikely hero of the people? Will Jane throw Sheila out? Or will the tower blocks collapse before the project is finished?
Writer Michael Frayn, creator of international hits COPENHAGEN and NOISES OFF, explores what it is to be human in a statistically driven world, in this Olivier Award-winning comedy set in the late 1960s.
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
★★★★ "a timeless, darkly comic and brilliantly written study of human foibles." Limelight
★★★★ “An absorbing and entertaining evening” Stage Noise
"Benefactors is a dazzling puzzle of a play” Sydney Morning Herald
★★★★★ "Some of the best acting you'll see on a Sydney stage this year, not to mention the funniest!” Theatre Thoughts
“Completely organic and effortless” Suzy Goes See
“gut-wrenching comedy” Stage Whispers
"intellectually stimulating and emotionally charged experience” The Plus Ones
“For two hours, I couldn’t keep my eyes off them.” Sydney Arts Guide
“Benefactors is both a wonderful evening’s entertainment, and an invitation to return to further explore its extraordinary richness.” Theatre Red
“beautifully achieved through the aesthetics and deliberation of the original script, which was brought to life splendidly by the Ensemble and cast.” Theatre Travels
"BENEFACTORS sits with human behaviours on both a social and personal level” Broadway World
Cast & Creatives
Michael Frayn
Playwright
Mark Kilmurry
Ensemble Theatre: MCGUFFIN PARK, UNCLE VANYA, THE GREAT DIVIDE, MIDNIGHT MURDER AT HAMLINGTON HALL, BENEFACTORS, RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA, BOXING DAY BBQ, A DOLL’S HOUSE, THE WOMAN IN BLACK, OUTDATED, KENNY, CRUNCH TIME, THE ODD COUPLE, THE LAST WIFE, MURDER ON THE WIRELESS, THE BIG TIME, THE NORMAN CONQUESTS, SHIRLEY VALENTINE, TAKING STEPS, NEVILLE’S ISLAND, TWO, ODD MAN OUT, RELATIVELY SPEAKING, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, BETRAYAL, GOOD PEOPLE, MY ZINC BED, EDUCATING RITA, ABSENT FRIENDS, OTHER DESERT CITIES, THE ANZAC PROJECT, RICHARD III, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, FRANKENSTEIN, MANAGING CARMEN, RED, THE SPEAR CARRIER and HAMLET. THE ODD COUPLE; The Comedy Theatre, Melbourne & Theatre Royal, Sydney for Crossroads Live Australia. Film: Co-writer and co-director of BEING GAVIN. Literature Illustration: CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS.
Margaret Thanos
Assistant Director
Gareth Davies
as David
Megan Drury
as Sheila
Matt Minto
Ensemble Theatre: BENEFACTORS, RHINESTONE REX & MISS MONICA, CRUNCH TIME, THE BIG TIME, ODD MAN OUT. Darlinghurst Theatre: THE PRIDE. Red Line Productions (Old Fitz): COCK. Silo Theatre: ANGELS IN AMERICA PART ONE & TWO. Circa Theatre: RABBIT. Q Theatre: EVERYTHING AFTER. Herald Theatre/Auckland Live: COCK. Eclipse Productions: TIME STANDS STILL. Maidment Theatre: OTHELLO. Bedlam Theatre: TWELFTH NIGHT. Community20 Theatre: MACBETH. Offstage Theatre: THE THREE SISTERS. Film: INFINI. Television: THE BAD SEED, THE BLUE ROSE, SHORTLAND STREET, HOME AND AWAY, I ROCK, WELLMANIA, LAST KING OF THE CROSS, WATCHING YOU.
Emma Palmer
as Jane
Nick Fry
Set & Costume Designer
Matt Cox
Lighting Designer
David Grigg
Sound Designer
Linda Nicholls-Gidley
Dialect Coach
Bella Kerdijk
Stage Manager
Renata Beslik
Costume SupervisorSpecial Performances
Audio Described
- Thu 13 Jul 11am
- Sat 15 Jul 3.30pm
Tactile Tours are available 1 hour prior to Audio Described performances, please contact the Box Office to book.
Q&A Session
- Fri 30 Jun 8pm
- Tue 4 Jul 11am
Free Teen
- Wed 19 Jul 7.30pm
Production Photos
Download the program
Discover more about BENEFACTORS with our digital program. It’s packed full of info about the show including a note from Artistic Director Mark Kilmurry, cast and creative bios, plus photos and more!