Home | Shows | Past Productions | KENNY
Meet Kenny, a fearless Aussie plumber and eternal optimist who looks for the best in every situation – even when his job is literally down the toilet.
- Writers Clayton Jacobson
Shane Jacobson - Adapted for the stage by Steve Rodgers
- Director Mark Kilmurry
- Cast Ben Wood
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- Ensemble Theatre Commission
- 27 - 27 Feb 2021
- 80 mins (no interval)
- Recommended for ages 12+
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Captioned
- Hearing Loop
- Audio Described (selected dates)
- Contains some strong language
Overview
World Premiere
When your work can’t get any lower your expectations can only soar.
A knight in shining overalls, Kenny is proud of his work, despite his Dad’s harsh judgements and the ignorant members of the public who take him for granted. In this classic riff on decency, Kenny’s off-beat humour and wide-eyed wonder at life’s possibilities are an inspirational reminder that all that glitters is not necessarily gold…
Triumphant and poignant, Clayton and Shane Jacobson’s much-loved film adapted for the stage by Steve Rodgers and featuring the wonderful Ben Wood (THE LAST WIFE) as Kenny, makes its world premiere as part of Sydney Festival.
Ticket Prices
Save at least 7% on full-price single tickets and access a suite of benefits by booking a subscription ticket of 5 – 7 plays.
Subscription ticket prices and info on how to book can be found here.
For group bookings of 10+, please call Box Office (02) 8918 3400 or email boxoffice@ensemble.com.au.
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection. $6 transaction fee applies.
| 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 timely love letter to all those people out there cleaning up and getting their hands dirty on behalf of others" Sydney Morning Herald
★★★★"Joyous, entertaining, uplifting – and at times touching... a delightful, life-affirming show" Limelight
"A gloriously funny and endearing success" The Australian
"He [Ben Wood] grabs the audience with his lively manner, ever-present grin, bright eyes, self-deprecating manner, old world honesty" Stage Whispers
"His [Ben Wood's] comic timing is impeccable. He has an answer ready for every heckle, riding the unpredictability of a live show with ballsy good humour" Sydney Morning Herald
"Steve Rodgers, Mark Kilmurry, the designers, Ben Wood himself – and the team that are keeping the cast and audience safe – thoroughly deserve the standing ovation it received on opening night." Stage Whispers
Cast & Creatives
Clayton Jacobson
Writer
Shane Jacobson
Writer
Steve Rodgers
Adaptor
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.
Warwick Doddrell
Assistant Director
Ben Wood
Cast
Simone Romaniuk
Set & Costume Designer
Damien Cooper
Lighting Designer
Nate Edmondson
Nate is an international, multi-award winning Composer and Sound Designer for film, television, stage and advertising.
Nate’s theatre credits include: For STC: THREE SISTERS, CLOUD NINE, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, ROMEO AND JULIET. For STC / Force Majeure: NEVER DID ME ANY HARM. For Belvoir: MARK COLVIN’S KIDNEY, MORTIDO, SEVENTEEN, THIS HEAVEN. For Bell Shakespeare: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, THE TEMPEST, ROMEO AND JULIET, MACBETH, THE WINTER’S TALE. For Griffin: THE HAM FUNERAL, MinusOneSister, CARESS/ACHE, THE WITCHES, MUSIC, JUMP FOR JORDAN, RUST AND BONE, THIS YEAR’S ASHES. For Malthouse: SALOME, LORD OF THE FLIES. For Darlinghurst Theatre: SAVAGES, GOOD WORKS, DAYLIGHT SAVING, ALL MY SONS, TORCH SONG TRILOGY, THE GREENING OF GRACE, THE SEAFARER, THE PARIS LETTER. For Rockefeller Productions: THAT GOLDEN GIRLS SHOW! [US], THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW [Global]. For Sport For Jove: OF MICE AND MEN. For Street Theatre: ALL MY SONS [UK].
Mic Gruchy
Video Designer
Erin Shaw
Graduating from the Technical Theatre and Stage Management course at NIDA in 2016, Erin has previously worked in the industry as a dresser on GIRL ASLEEP (Belvoir, 2016); stage manager on LITTLE BORDERS (The 505, 2017), MOTH (ATYP, 2017), and LOVE, ME (The 505, 2018); and assistant stage manager on DIPLOMACY (Ensemble Theatre, 2018) and BLISS (Belvoir, 2018).
Erin feels privileged to have worked with such an incredible team on this production and looks forward to the season.
Renata Beslik
Costume SupervisorCOVID SAFETY MEASURES
Ensemble Theatre is a COVID Safe registered business and masks must be worn as soon as you enter the building. We’ve implemented a few operational changes, guided by the NSW Government’s health orders, ensuring your comfort and enjoyment are not impacted.
Special performance dates
Please use the calendar above to select your date and book tickets.
Audio Described
- Thu 18 Feb 11am
- Sat 20 Feb 4:30pm
Q&A Session
- Fri 29 Jan 8:15pm
- Tue 23 Feb 11am
Free Teen
- Wed 24 Feb 7:30pm
Photo Gallery
Adaptor's Note
“When Mark came to me with the idea of adapting KENNY, my mind immediately shot back to my experience seeing the film over ten years ago, and the enormous heart of the character and story. In our current age, so beholden to aspirational values, KENNY is an antidote to that win at all costs mentality, claiming decency and dignity as true measures of what it means to live a good life. Kind of like a Ted talk, come and hear KENNY talk about the types of work too many of us turn up our noses at. It’ll be warm, funny, and an education in sanitation.” – Adapted for the stage by Steve Rodgers
Watch the Trailer
DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM
Want to know more about KENNY? Our downloadable program is full of exciting extra tidbits about the show. You’ll find a message from Adaptor Steve Rodgers, a Director’s note from Mark Kilmurry, synopsis, photos and more!
SUPPORT SULABH INTERNATIONAL
If you’ve been inspired by KENNY to help the women of the Nai Disha Vocational Training Centre, run by Sulabh International, please donate here: