Why are lawyers so pompous and easy to make fun of? Sydney solicitor and comedic playwright Tony Laumberg offers another hilarious poke at the legal profession when the BONDI THEATRE COMPANY presents MY FAIR LAWYER at the Bondi Pavilion, from Saturday June 20. Is that a legal suit approaching???
“Legal laughs without precedent… will tickle the most earnest funny bone” – The Brag
Following the critical and popular success of Laumberg’s Bondi Legal in 2019, the BTC is back with his seventh play – an even more cutting satire featuring a pompous lawyer, his smart but inebriated wife, his illegitimate daughter… and a wacky Indian shrink!
Henry and Margaret Crowley have endured a childless marriage in peaceful uber-white St Ives for over 25 years. Henry, an outspoken lawyer, is too busy leading his prominent Sydney law firm worry about romance. Hence Margaret turning to a stiff drink or two…
But when Cheryl, a young law graduate from Cessnock, arrives on their doorstep – claiming to be Henry’s illegitimate daughter and wanting a job at this law firm – their quiet conservative lives go into a tailspin. To make matters worse, Henry and Margaret are secretly seeing the same psychiatrist, noted Indian shrink, Rahmish J Punjab. And to say his methods are unusual would be an understatement!
Starring Martin Portus as Henry, Deirdre Campbell as Margaret, Jade Michailidis as Cheryl and Gantanter Singh Gill as Dr Punjab. Directed by Richard Cotter, produced by David Spicer.
Laumberg says he loves torturing his popular, returning character Henry Crowley. “His trials and tribulations are comedy gold! Plus, I want to explore the humour arising from the clash of ‘old-time Australian values’ and the modern-day ambition of entrepreneurial immigrants.”
With set design by Tom Tafy and lighting design by Cian Byrne – the season includes two great Q+A sessions: one featuring the cast, the other with the playwright (with a foot in both camps) on what it is about lawyers that inspires so much laughter! Staged in repertory with Uked! The Play-Along Ukulele musical.
My Fair Lawyer, by Tony Laumberg: Bondi Pavilion Theatre – Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach 20-28 June SAT June 20th 5pm | SUN June 21st 6pm TUE June 23rd 7:30pm plus Playwright Q+A: “Making Fun of Lawyers!” WED June 24th 7:30pm plus Cast Q+A | SAT June 27th 4:30pm | SUN June 28th 6:30pm Bookings: www.bonditheatrecompany.com.au Playing time 75 mins (no interval)
If you haven’t read the book, and it is a true story, you have missed out but the second best thing is seeing the play. It captures post war Britain still recovering, short on food, living on coupons and making sense of the previous world war. As the play develops we are taken through England’s important historical moments including Queen Elizabeth’s coronation and celebration.
On the other side of the world, in fast-paced New York, a dollar-poor screen writer becomes a beloved contact to first one and then all in a small London vintage bookshop. It is a joy to hear such witty retorts but also to witness the gentle relationship between brash New York and formal London both in changing times for their countries and lives. Letters are exchanged as books are requested and as years go by, the audience witnesses changes in lifestyle and relationships from a formal correspondence to a warm and witty friendship. The audience audibly responded with laughter and sadness as the letters were read and reacted to.
The set was wonderfully lit in warm tones with the bookshop and New York apartment juxtaposed to represent the changing lives of both cities and characters. The set and costume designer had sourced and found genuine or reproduction clothes, jewellery, hats and even seamed stockings that set the era and style so authentically. Floor to ceiling shelves of books enhanced the feeling of being in a bookshop whilst the New York apartment was decorated in a more modern style. There was an intimate connection between the audience and actors being in the round giving the feeling of entering each world.
All actors were believable but the two main actors representing the writer, Helene Hanff and Frank Doel, the bookstore manager, captured the audience’s attention from the start. Helene presented a genuine New York strong accent and for those who have lived in New York, the body language, phrases and pace of delivery rang true. Frank wore the British suits and accent and politeness revealing a deeper side to him as their friendship evolved. The cameo actors were true to their time and the sense of a ‘family’ of colleagues revealed itself as each character interacted with Helene’s letters. Their non-verbal body language was at times funny and at other times, poignant but totally believable. The audience cared for each character and wanted to know about their dreams and aspirations. Knowing that the book is true made us want to find out what happened to each person in the future.
The play showed how well-written dialogue taken from genuine letters creates an atmosphere and audience connection with no clever props or actions required. It was the opening night and the actors and director were rewarded by a standing ovation and loud applause.
Ordinary Days, produced by Bold & Blunt Creative and performed at Flight Path Theatre, takes us on a journey to New York in the early 2000s. An off-Broadway success, the sung-through musical follows the stories of four characters working through the challenges of everyday life. The story touches on art, taking chances, dreaming big, building relationships and recovering after trauma. There is nothing too complex in the plot but there is joy to be found in interrogating smaller moments not usually portrayed on stage.
There were two main storylines; one was romantic and the other was about friendship, I loved this. It is beautiful to see a platonic relationship platformed and I found that Warren (played by Ethan Bourke) and Deb (played by Producer Chantal Elyse) had a lot of chemistry. The other two characters were a couple grappling with the difficulties that come with moving in together and taking the next steps – Claire (played by Associate Producer Jordan Berry) and Jason (played by Lachlan Ceravolo).
I was lucky enough to see the opening night show and he performances from the four cast members were very earnest. As the show went on, I felt the cast become more confident, and the characters more vulnerable. Bourke was a highlight for me; he was very charismatic and made the audience want to get to know him. Ceravolo gave us a very convincing, though at times, one-sided love story. Both Elyse and Berry had wonderful voices. I especially loved the duets, group numbers and the songs where the passion and frustration of the characters peeked through – this felt distinctly human!
The pianist was a highlight, tucked in the corner of the stage, playing for the full 90 minutes – no intermission. I enjoyed the music a lot and was surprised with how immersive the singing was with only the piano. Songs seamlessly connected as scenes changed, and at times I forgot that we had live accompaniment. Congratulations to the Musical Director – Joseph O’Reilly.
The set was simple but effective with the New York skyline created out of posters and flyers, and just a couple of desks. Both lighting and sound were used well to signpost the mood changes, which was essential with the pared back set design. The cast used the space masterfully, popping out from within the audience and the theatre door which aided the audience to feel engaged and part of the story. There were laughs at the funny quips and audible gasps when Warren tripped, we felt invested in Deb finding her thesis and Claire having a personal breakthrough.
Overall, this was a very wholesome production from a team who has clearly worked extremely hard. There are a lot of lyrics in this musical, it’s impressive. For fans of RENT or Amélie who love whimsy, it’s worth a watch.
Joshua Robson Productions and their team behind the sell-out success of The Producers returns to conjure up another deliciously dark delight, bringing the Tony Award®-nominated global smash The Addams Family to Hayes Theatre Co from 11 July. Tickets are on sale now via www.hayestheatre.com.au.
At the heart of this gloriously gothic household stands Morticia Addams, embodied by double Helpmann Award–nominated triple threat Erika Heynatz (Legally Blonde, Menopause the Musical), whose elegance is as sharp as her wit. Opposite her, the ardently devoted Gomez Addams finds his match in acclaimed Filipino-Australian performer Marcus Rivera (Miss Saigon, City of Angels), promising a romance that burns as brightly as it does bizarrely. Emerging from the shadows, Wednesday Addams—the ultimate princess of darkness—will be brought chillingly to life by recent NIDA graduate Jenny Guigayoma (Nine, Peter Pan). Meanwhile, her delightfully devious younger brother Pugsley takes mischievous form in Georgia Oom (Werkaholics, Footloose), whose penchant for chaos keeps the household on edge. Hovering somewhere between the strange and the sublime, Uncle Fester will be ignited by the electrifying Evan Lever (The Normal Heart, Muriel’s Wedding), guiding the story with peculiar charm. Adding fuel to the family fire, Deborah Galanos (The Boomkak Panto, Stop Girl) unleashes her comic prowess as the unapologetically anarchic Grandmama. Towering—both in stature and presence—Elliot Aitken makes his professional debut as the ever-loyal, ever-lurking Lurch.
In a delicious twist of fate, Teagan Wouters (Bonnie & Clyde, The Wedding Singer), who originated the role of Wednesday in the original Australian production, returns to the Addams universe as Alice Beineke—a woman on the brink of polite society collapse. Her tightly wound husband Mal Beineke will be played by Rory O’Keeffe (HMS Pinafore, Playing Beatie Bow), while their seemingly “normal” son Lucas—harbouring a secret of his own—comes to life through First Nations performer Alexander Tye (Once on This Island, Footloose The Musical). Completing this cryptic clan are the Addams ancestors, rising from beyond in the forms of Mae Li Cowell, Nathan Fernandez, Jayden Prelc and Paloma Renouf, with Kayla Ingle-Olson and Joey Phyland lurking in the wings as swings.
When Wednesday Addams, the ultimate gothic outsider, falls for a perfectly “normal” boy, everything the Addams family holds dear is turned upside down. As the two families meet for one fateful evening, secrets are revealed, boundaries are tested, and chaos is delightfully unleashed. With an extraordinary original score and a story to die for, The Addams Family promises a wickedly entertaining night for audiences of all persuasions.
Directed by Julia Robertson (The Producers, Metropolis), with musical supervision by Zara Stanton (Dear Evan Hansen, In The Heights) and choreography by Shannon Burns (Gutenberg! The Musical, The Producers), this bold new production will push boundaries and breathe new (after)life into a beloved classic.
Director Julia Robertson said “Our version of The Addams Family will dive headfirst into why these characters have captivated us for decades, celebrating their boundless passion for life (and death), their wildly creative and expressive ways of communicating, and their fearless embrace of all things unique and darkly fascinating. We’re allowing the subconscious to take centre stage as emotion overrides logic and the ordinary transforms into something poetic, playful, and deeply human. The Addams don’t just live outside societal norms, they inhabit a reality entirely of their own making, shaped by ritual, instinct, and imagination. Inspired by the original artist, Charles Addams himself, our production will lean into striking composition; stylised, surprising, yet unmistakably Addams!”
“I am so excited to unveil this extraordinary cast; an honest, dark, deliciously funny, and fiercely talented ensemble of storytellers ready to revel in the weird and wonderful world of The Addams Family. Each performer brings a thrilling breadth of experience and a bold individuality to these iconic roles, infusing them with fresh energy, unexpected nuance, and their own wickedly delightful flair. Audiences are in for something truly special!”
The unsettlingly enchanting musical comedy from Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, writers of the multi award-winning hit musical Jersey Boys, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, will haunt you in the most delightfully spooky way.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY Producer Joshua Robson Productions (JRP) Director Julia Robertson Music Supervisor Zara Stanton Choreographer Shannon Burns Music Director Alexander Gaal Assistant Director/Choreographer Grace Stamnas Production Designer Dann Barber Associate Production Designer Meg Anderson Lighting Designer Jasmine Rizk Sound Designer Chaii Ki Chapman
SEASON DETAILS Venue: Hayes Theatre Co, 19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point Season: 11 July – 9 August Times: Tues 6.30pm, Wed-Sat 7.30pm, Thurs 1pm, Sat 2pm & Sunday 1pm Price: Preview tickets from $85, In season prices Adult $95, Concession $89, Groups/Previews from $85 Bookings: www.hayestheatre.com.au | (02) 8065 7337
BIOGRAPHIES Erika Heynatz (she/her) – Morticia Addams Marcus Rivera (he/him) – Gomez Addams Jenny Guigayoma (she/her) – Wednesday Addams Georgia Oom (she/her) – Pugsley Addams Evan Lever (he/him) – Uncle Fester Deb Galanos (she/her) – Grandmama Elliot Aitken (he/him) – Lurch/Ancestor Alexander Tye (he/him) – Lucas Beineke Teagan Wouters (she/her) – Alice Beineke Rory O’Keeffe (he/him) – Mal Beineke
