This September, Jo Bradley directs the Australian premiere of The Man by James Graham. This uniquely structured, interactive one-man show is perfect for Fringe, combining both the intimacy of a small venue, with the talents of the Olivier Award-winning playwright behind Dear England, Ink and Quiz. Mike Howlett (Bell Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night’s Dream) leads this ambitious monologue, spanning both drama and comedy.
Director/Producer Jo Bradley, Sydney Fringe Festival’s 2025 “Best Emerging Artist”, returns to the fringe after last year’s hit Gia Ophelia by Grace Wilson (which premiered at Fringe before transferring to KXT on Broadway, and then touring to Canberra Theatre Centre in association with Canberra Youth Theatre). She continues her work on contemporary, intimate, actor-focused scripts, after the success of the Old Fitz’s 2024 Snowflake, which will transfer to Ensemble Theatre in October this year.
Tax makes Ben anxious. As a sole-trader he’s been hoarding receipts all year. Now he has to go through them all–and the audience is going to help. In this darkly funny interactive one-man play, every receipt tells a short story, and every audience member gets a receipt.
One at a time, the actor will call upon a random audience member to hand them a receipt, and then tell the corresponding story. Every performance will therefore be totally unique, with the performer having no idea which receipt they will get handed at any time.
“This is my first tax return. Thank you…erm for offering to… for helping. I realise it’s a bit weird. It’s just. This is…it’s the only way I can think to make it better. The only way I can think to do it. With other people. Like this.
Fans of Duncan Macmillan’s Every Brilliant Thing and re:group’s POV, will love the interactive and non-linear nature of Graham’s script. It’s the perfect Fringe show for audiences who are excited by a totally unique theatre experience that is different every night.
The Man is a portrait of late twenties, depicting a man looking back at his life so far with disappointment, as he wrestles with the hopes he had for himself, and the reality of what he’s actually achieved. These themes, and the script’s depiction of Ben’s struggles with early adulthood, dating, career, grief and poor mental health, offers a wide appeal to Sydney audiences. The story will particularly resonate with artists, sole-traders, and anyone who has ever had to deal with the frustrating bureaucracy that comes with growing up.
DATES & VENUES
The Man will have its Australian Premiere at Pottery Lane Performance Space, Lane Cove on September 1-4th at 6pm (Runtime: approximately 75 mins).
Preview is September 1st, and Opening Night is September 2nd. Tickets are between $25-44 and can be purchased here: https://sydneyfringe.com/events/the-man/
THE MAN
By James Graham
Directed by Jo Bradley
Produced by JB Theatre Co
Starring Mike Howlett
Director/Producer Jo Bradley
Assistant Director/Understudy Joseph Tanti
Assistant Producers Liminka Pather and Emily Smith
Sound Designer and Composer Otto Zagala
Costume Designer Bella Welstead
Performer (“Ben”) Mike Howlett
Voice Performer (“Inland Revenue”) Claudia Leon
