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The iconic Aussie documentary RATS IN THE RANKS meets Thornton Wilder’s OUR TOWN in this brand new comedy about the cut-throat world of politics and media spin.
- Playwright Sam O'Sullivan
- Director Mark Kilmurry
- Cast Thomas Campbell
Jamie Oxenbould
Lizzie Schebesta
Eloise Snape
Shan-Ree Tan
- 19 Nov 2024 - 23 Nov 2024
- 2hrs (including interval)
- Recommended for ages 12+
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Hearing Loop
- Audio Described (selected dates)
- Contains some strong language and adult themes
Overview
WORLD PREMIERE
In the small Australian town of McGuffin, the local council is thrown into disarray when the mayor suddenly resigns a week before the mid-term election, despite being a shoo-in to keep his seat. When a self-proclaimed ‘sovereign citizen’ with an anti-government agenda is revealed as next in line for the top job, two friends step up and announce their rival candidacies. Complicated pasts, a meddling journalist and blackmail rumours push friendships to the limit – can they handle the mess of politics? Or will their friendship crumble under the pressure? Buckle up for a bumpy election ride!
The iconic Aussie documentary RATS IN THE RANKS meets Thornton Wilder’s OUR TOWN in this brand new comedy about the cut-throat world of politics and media spin. Fresh from the success of BOXING DAY BBQ, Sam O’Sullivan reunites with director Mark Kilmurry for another fast-paced and topical theatrical experience not to be missed.
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.
| 2024 SINGLE TICKETS | PREVIEWS | IN SEASON |
|---|---|---|
| FULL PRICE | $83 | $88 |
| SENIOR CARD | $80 | $85 |
| PENSIONER | $76 | $81 |
| GROUP 10 -19 | $76 | $81 |
| GROUP 20+ | $71 | $76 |
| 30 0R UNDER | $40 | $43 |
| FULL-TIME STUDENT | $40 | $43 |
| MEAA/AWG | $40 | $43 |
| SCHOOL GROUPS | $25 | $25 |
Reviews
"Local politics as comedy gold" The Sydney Morning Herald
★★★★ O’Sullivan’s script is clever... very funny" ArtsHub
★★★★ "remarkably fun and colourful play" Sydney Arts Guide
★★★★ "This is a play where its strengths lie in the quality of the acting, the intrigue of the storyline and the craft of the writing." Musical Theatre AU
"a playful, joyous show" Australian Stage Online
"There are many good one-liners." Megaphone Oz
"a humorous and touching portrayal of community life, inviting audiences to laugh, relate, and perhaps see themselves within the charming world of McGuffin Park." Northern Beaches Mums
"Director Mark Kilmurry mushes his team at an agreeably cracking pace. It suits the satirical, one-liner sprinkled style of the play and the actors toss around quips, witticisms, acid drops and character changes with no hint of stumble." Stage Noise
"The writing is consistently amusing" Suzy Goes See
"Excellently covered by writer Sam O’Sullivan, the play opens out to include every possible political angle in this small town." Stage Whispers
Cast & Creatives
Sam O’Sullivan
Writing, Ensemble Theatre: BOXING DAY BBQ. Australian Theatre for Young People: CHARLIE PILGRIM. Cross Pollinate: THE BLOCK UNIVERSE. Redline Productions: THE WIND IN THE UNDERGROUND. Rogue Projects: YOU’RE NOT SPECIAL. Acting, Ensemble Theatre: MIDNIGHT MURDER AT HAMLINGTON HALL, NEARER THE GODS, THE NORMAN CONQUESTS, A HISTORY OF FALLING THINGS, MY ZINC BED. Belvoir St. Theatre: KILL THE MESSENGER. Cathode Ray Tube: A STEADY RAIN. Critical Stages: CAPTURE THE FLAG. Cross Pollinate: JOURNEY’S END. Darlinghurst Theatre: CONSTELLATIONS. Griffin Theatre: MUSIC. King’s Cross Theatre: WINK. Outhouse Theatre: CONSENT. Pantsguys: PUNK ROCK. Mirror Mirror: HILT. Mophead Productions: PLATONOV. Seymour Centre: MADE TO MEASURE. Sport For Jove: NO END OF BLAME. Rock Surfers: THE REMOVALISTS, SPROUT. Film: CROSSING PATHS. TV: CLASS OF ’07, AMAZING GRACE, ON THE ROPES, BLACK COMEDY, HOME & AWAY, WONDERLAND, PACKED TO THE RAFTERS, FAST TRACKS. Short Film: WHEN HAROLD MET ARNOLD, REFUSED CLASSIFICATION, LITTLE LOVE, THE BELFAST BOYS, CONCESSION. Awards: ATYP Foundation Commission: CHARLIE PILGRIM. Sydney Theatre Award Nominations: PUNK ROCK, JOURNEY’S END, THE BLOCK UNIVERSE, CHARLIE PILGRIM. Training: The National Institute of Dramatic Art.
Mark Kilmurry
Ensemble Theatre: 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.
Sarah Odillo Maher
Sarah is Ensemble Theatre’s Literary Manager. Ensemble Theatre: OUTDATED, THE ONE (dramaturg). Film: Definition Digital Media UK: ANGEL (writer). The Revolt Collective: WHEN THE DEAD AWAKEN (writer). Fear of God Films: THE WATER DIVINER (researcher). Television: Screentime: THE SECRET DAUGHTER (script consultant), INFORMER 3838 (script researcher). Shine Australia: PETER ALLEN: NOT THE BOY NEXT DOOR, CATCHING MILAT (script editor and researcher), PETER BROCK (script coordinator). Endemol Southern Star: RUSH (SEASONS 2-4), PAPER GIANTS 2: THE MAGAZINE WARS, POWER GAMES: THE PACKER-MURDOCH STORY, HOWZAT! KERRY PACKER’S WAR (script researcher and coordinator), OFFSPRING (PILOT), BEACONSFIELD (script coordinator). Training: Master of Fine Arts (Writing For Performance) and Bachelor of Dramatic Art (Technical Production), National Institute of Dramatic Art.
Thomas Campbell
Ensemble Theatre: THE MEMORY OF WATER, CLYBOURNE PARK, THE VIOLET HOUR. Bell Shakespeare: THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, ANATOMY: TITUS. Belvoir Street Theatre: HAMLET. B Sharp Theatre: 2000 FEET AWAY. Darlinghurst Theatre Company: SAVAGES. Griffin Theatre Company: THE LEWIS TRILOGY, NERD FORMAL. Hayes Theatre Company: METROPOLIS, GENTLEMAN PREFER BLONDES, THE VIEW UPSTAIRS, HMS PINAFORE. RideOn Theatre: DEBRIS. Siren Theatre Company: THE MOORS, MISTERMAN, PENELOPE, RICHARD III. Sport For Love: THREE SISTERS. Sydney Theatre Company: BED. Screen: LOVE AND MONSTERS, DOWNTOWN ABBEY, SERIOUSLY RED, MAVERIX, DECK DOGZ, SECOND BEST, LOVE MY WAY, THE SAVIOUR. Training: 2010 MOUNTVIEW ACADEMY OF THEATRE ARTS, 2002 The National Institute of Dramatic Art, Bachelor Of Dramatic Art. Awards: Three Sydney Theatre Awards for his work in MISTERMAN, THREE SISTERS and HMS PINAFORE.
Jamie Oxenbould
Ensemble Theatre: MIDNIGHT MURDER AT HAMLINGTON HALL, BOXING DAY BBQ, WOMAN IN BLACK, BABY DOLL, THE SPEARCARRIER, CASANOVA, DIARY OF AN OLYMPIC CABBIE, FULLY COMMITTED, WHEN DAD MARRIED FURY. Bell Shakespeare: THE MISER. Crossroads/John Frost: THE ODD COUPLE. Darlinghurst Theatre Company: THE HYPOCHONDRIAC, GOOD WORKS. Griffin Theatre Company: FAMILY VALUES, THE LITERATI. Opera Australia: ERNANI, LA TRAVIATA. New Theatre: GODS & LITTLE FISHES. Outhouse Theatre Company: TREVOR. Old Fitz Theatre: THE VILLAGE BIKE, EURYDICE. Apocalypse Theatre Company: THE DAPTO CHASER. Sydney Theatre Company: THE TEMPEST, MACBETH, ANTONY & CLEOPATRA, THE LOADED UTE, THE SHEARSTON SHIFT. Film: BEING GAVIN. TV: TEN POUND POMS, SECRET CITY 2, MY PLACE, PLAYSCHOOL, OH YUCK, GASP!, I GOT A ROCKET, RAGGS, TABALUGA. Awards: Sydney Theatre Awards (3 nominations), HELPMANN (nomination).
Lizzie Schebesta
Ensemble Theatre: MCGUFFIN PARK, DOLL’S HOUSE. Bell Shakespeare: KING LEAR, MACBETH, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Griffin Theatre Company: S-27. Sport For Jove: CYRANO DE BERGERAC, NO END OF BLAME, RICHARD 3, ROSE RIOT, THE CRUCIBLE, AS YOU LIKE IT. Siren Theatre: THE SEAGULL. Sydney Theatre Company: MRS WARREN’S PROFESSION. TV: MR IN-BETWEEN, UNDERBELLY: RAZOR, CATCHING MILAT, RESCUE SPECIAL OPS. Training: Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.
Eloise Snape
Ensemble Theatre: MIDNIGHT MURDER AT HAMLINGTON HALL. Bell Shakespeare: MACBETH. Critical Stages: 4000 MILES (National Tour), SUNSET STRIP (National Tour). Griffin Theatre Company: SUNSET STRIP (National Tour). Opera Australia: THE TALES OF HOFFMAN. Outhouse Theatre Company: TREVOR. Redline Productions: THE HUMANS. Sport for Jove: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. As a writer: Griffin Theatre Company: PONY. Film: VOICE ACTIVATED. TV: COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS SEASON 1 AND 2, SUNNY NIGHTS, STRIFE, WELLMANIA. Awards: As a writer: Pony was shortlisted for the Griffin Award, Qld Premier’s Drama Award, Patrick White Playwright’s Award, Rodney Seaborn Playwright’s Award. Nominations: 2023 Sydney Theatre Award for Best New Australian Work, 2013 Sydney Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Training: Actors Centre Australia.
Shan-Ree Tan
Ensemble Theatre: NEARER THE GODS, THE ONE. Clock and Spiel Productions: WIT. Crying Chair Theatre & Secret House: THE GHOST WRITER. Dinosaurus Productions: YELLOW FACE. La Boite Theatre & Sydney Theatre Company: THE POISON OF POLYGAMY. New Ghosts Theatre Company & Secret House: FOR THE GRACE OF YOU GO I. New Theatre: NELL GWYNN, PYGMALION. Secret House: CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, SEAGULL, TROILUS & CRESSIDA. Sport for Jove Theatre: AS YOU LIKE IT. TV: THE TWELVE, THE SECRETS SHE KEEPS. Awards: 2021 Sydney Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Leading Role (Independent) for YELLOW FACE. Nominations: 2023 Sydney Theatre Award for Best performance in a leading role (Mainstage) for THE POISON OF POLYGAMY. Training: National Institute of Dramatic Art Actors Studio.
Simon Greer
Ensemble Theatre: MIDNIGHT MURDER AT HAMLINGTON HALL, OUTDATED, MURDER ON THE WIRELESS, OUTDATED, MARJORIE PRIME. Australian Theatre for Young People: SKATE, SPRING AWAKENING. Blue Saint (with Hayes Theatre Company): IN THE HEIGHTS, VIOLET. Darlinghurst Theatre Company: A CHORUS LINE. Elder Conservatorium of Music: LITTLE WOMEN, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Hayes Theatre Company: CAROLINE OR CHANGE. Josh Robson Productions (with Hayes Theatre Company) BONNIE & CLYDE, CITY OF ANGELS. Marion Street Theatre for Young People: ALADDIN, BABE THE SHEEP PIG, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE, THE MAGIC PUDDING, WINNIE THE POOH. Michell Guthrie Presents (with Hayes Theatre Company): NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT. Opera South: LA BOHEME. Squabbalogic: GREY GARDENS, THE MAN OF LA MANCHA. State Theatre Company of South Australia: WELCOME TO YOUR NEW LIFE. Awards: Sydney Theatre Award Nomination Set Design: VIOLET. Training: National Institute of Dramatic Art: Design.
Trudy Dalgleish
Ensemble theatre: THEY ARE PLAYING OUR SONG, THE ACT, PROOF, PHOTOGRAPH 51, THE WOMEN IN BLACK, SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS, GLORIOUS, RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA. Crossroads Live Gordon Frost: WIZARD OF OZ, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, ANNIE, GREASE, MOUSETRAP, THE ODD COUPLE, FAME, LEGENDS. Opera Australia: SWEENEY TODD, MANNON, PIRATES OF PENZANCE, HMS PINAFORE, TRIAL BY JURY, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, MY FAIR LADY. Sydney Theatre Company: GOD OF CARNAGE, WAY OF THE WORLD, GALLIPOLI, THE WHITE DEVIL, STEEL CITY. Overseas shows: THE WORLD OF WEARABLE ART Wellington NZ, EUROBEAT West End, STEEL CITY Radio City Music Hall, CITY OF FRIENDS Norway, LITTLE BIG CLUB Singapore, BEN 10 Bangkok, ROYAL PALACE Strasbourg France, CANDIDE Auckland NZ. Training: Degree in Technical Production, National Institute of Dramatic Art.
Jessica Dunn
Ensemble Theatre: COLDER THAN HERE, PHOTOGRAPH 51, IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT LADY?, ALONE IT STANDS. Belvoir Street Theatre: BARBARA AND THE CAMP DOGS (Musical Director), MASTER & MARGARITA, COUNTING AND CRACKING and RANDOM (Associate Sound Designer). Griffin Theatre Company: BLAQUE SHOWGIRLS, A IS FOR APPLE. Legs on the Wall: THE LOVERS, TRESTLE. Lwa: SIX THE MUSICAL (Musician). Siren Theatre Company: CAMP. Sydney Theatre Company: DRACULA and ON THE BEACH (Sound Designer), CHALKFACE (Composer, Sound Designer), THE TEMPEST and JULIUS CAESAR (Sound Programmer), WONNANGATTA (Associate Sound Designer). Tasmanian Theatre Company: THE MARES. Awards: Apra Art Music Award Best Performance 2020. Training: Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Lauren Tulloh
Lauren is Ensemble Theatre’s Resident Stage Manager. Ensemble Theatre: UNCLE VANYA, SWITZERLAND, ALONE IT STANDS, THE MEMORY OF WATER, MR BAILEY’S MINDER, CLYDE’S, A BROADCAST COUP, THE CARETAKER, THE ONE, A LETTER FOR MOLLY, KILLING KATIE, THE WOMAN IN BLACK, THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE (2021 regional tour), OUTDATED, THE LAST WIFE, THE LAST FIVE YEARS, MARJORIE PRIME, THE PLANT, BETRAYAL. Hayes Theatre Company: REWIRED: MUSICALS REIMAGINED, AMERICAN PSYCHO, HIGH FIDELITY, ASSASSINS, CALAMITY JANE, THE FANTASTICKS, VIOLET. National Theatre of Parramatta: QUEEN FATIMA, THE THINGS I COULD NEVER TELL STEVEN, JESUS WANTS ME FOR A SUNBEAM (Belvoir season). Training: The National Institute of Dramatic Art.
Lara Kyriazis
Ensemble Theatre: THE MEMORY OF WATER. Frensham School: ME AND MY GIRL, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, GREASE, CLUE, THE BFG. National Institute of Dramatic Art: 21 CHUMP STREET, EPHEMERA, MUSICAL THEATRE AND STAGE AND SCREEN SHOWCASE, TECHNICAL ARTISTRY SHOWCASE. Triple J: UNEARTHED PROJECT (with DICE) Training: National Institute of Dramatic Art: Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services.
Evelyn Everaerts-Donaldson
Ensemble Theatre: A DOLL’S HOUSE, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, BOXING DAY BBQ, A BROADCAST COUP. Australian Chamber Orchestra: WILFRID GORDON MCDONALD PARTRIDGE. Belvoir Street Theatre: INTO THE WOODS, MISS PEONY, THE CHERRY ORCHARD. Darlinghurst Theatre Company: ONCE, A CHORUS LINE. Hayes Theatre Company: THE LUCKY COUNTRY, JEKYLL & HYDE. NTGent, Belgium: ONE DAY I WILL MAKE THE ONION CRY. Film: THOR. Couture: NICOL & FORD. Training: Advance Diploma of Production Design, Design Centre Enmore. Bachelor of Costume, The National Institute of Dramatic Art. Masters degree of Costume Design, Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp.
Production Photos
Photography by Prudence Upton
Rehearsal Photos
Photography by Prudence Upton
Playwright's Note
2024 had been called the year of elections, with almost half the world’s population being called on to vote. And with that comes a lot of campaigning, a lot of debate and a lot of political spin.
Democracy is far from perfect. Even in the most stable governments, it’s a rough game and over time tends to devolve into petty schoolyard tactics. But it is also elegant and, in some ways, extraordinary. For the majority of human history, autocrats, in one form or another, have ruled over subjects who possess few rights. Yet here we have a system of government that separates power into individual branches that hold each other to account while giving the people (the “demo-”) the last word in who leads them. That might sound idealistic and, depending on which country you’re talking about, has more than a few caveats, but in theory it is also true. All democracies strive towards this idealistic definition and all of them, without exception, stumble along the way. It’s just a question of when and how quickly they can recover when they do.
Democracy has developed over a few thousand years and so far, I believe, it’s the best system we’ve been able to come up with. But for democracy to survive and progress, the institutions that maintain it need to be protected. No matter where you live, it will always be under attack, from inside and out, by those who put self-interest first. Right now, it is under attack all over the world as it attempts to adapt to the 21st century.
MCGUFFIN PARK is the story of an idealist who enters the world of democratic politics and struggles to find success while preserving the best parts of herself. The dramatic question in the play isn’t if she will stumble at some point, but when? And when she does, will her moral compass hold long enough for her to remember why she got into politics in the first place? Or will she become just one more self-interested politician intent on tearing things down for her own gain?
Sam O’Sullivan
Director's Note
My wife Jacqui passed me Brook Turner’s wonderful account of the independent movement in his page turner Independents’ Day as the basis for something political regarding a play. I passed to Sam and we discussed how politics can make change in communities, though at what cost? Sam’s play focuses on local politics, which can be easier to identify with in terms of community engagement. Another touchstone was Bob Connelly’s clever documentary Rats in the Ranks.
We all vote for mayors and can have immediate access to them if we want, and many of us will have been at town meetings for whatever reason, witnessing the crucial decisions, the boring and the profound. Sam’s play explores politics but also looks at the wider implications concerned with relationships, friendships, corruption, and truth. This, all wrapped with a theatrical conceit, allows the audience and the players to meet somewhere between fiction and reality. As ever, it is a pleasure to stage a play by Sam O’Sullivan and this one has plenty to say about the times we live in, the reason for democracy and the struggle to remain true to oneself. The fact Sam does this with extraordinary insight and humour, creating characters we all know and love, is a testament to his great skill as a playwright. Enjoy.
Mark Kilmurry
DINNER & SHOW EXPERIENCE
Join our Head Chef Ian Aguilar and esteemed Chief Winemaker at Hungerford Hill Winery, Bryan Currie, for a matched wine dinner at Bayly’s Bistro, followed by a performance of Sam O’Sullivan’s new play MCGUFFIN PARK.
Dates:
Wednesday 13 November 2024
Time:
5.30pm – 9.30pm
(including MCGUFFIN PARK)
Price:
$195
(includes a three-course menu with matched wines and a ticket to MCGUFFIN PARK)
Watch the trailer
Special performances
Audio Described
- Thu 14 Nov 11am
- Sat 16 Nov 3.30pm
Q&A Sessions
- Tue 5 Nov 11am
- Fri 15 Nov 8pm
Free Teen Night
- Wed 20 Nov 7.30pm
Partners & Supporters
This production would not be possible without the continued support of our partners and our valued supporters. Thank you.
For more information on how to support Ensemble, contact Stephen Attfield, Philanthropy & Partnerships Manager, on stephena@ensemble.com.au or call 02 8918 3400.