In a wondrous world of riddles and hidden treasure, bumbling Jack Hare is on a race against time to deliver a message of love from the Moon to the Sun. Far, far away in a world just like ours, a mother cheers her son Joe with the tale of Jack Hare’s adventure. But when Jack’s mission goes topsy-turvy, Joe and his mum must come to the rescue, and the line between the two worlds becomes blurred forever.
Bringing to life Kit Williams’ iconic picture book, Masquerade stars a talking fish, a tone-deaf barbershop quartet, a gassy pig, a precious jewel and a few mere mortals. It’s a magical adventure that is, at its heart, about the love between a parent and a child.
Bound to amaze and enchant audiences aged 9 to 90, Griffin begins 2015 with the world premiere of Masquerade at the Sydney Opera House for Sydney Festival. Sam Strong and Lee Lewis join forces to co-direct, weaving their own special magic over a fabulous cast, with songs and music performed live by Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen.
A Griffin Theatre Company and State Theatre Company of South Australia co-production, presented by Sydney Festival and Sydney Opera House.
Directors Sam Strong & Lee Lewis
Designer Anna Cordingley
Lighting Designer Geoff Cobham
Music by Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen
Composition & Musical Direction Pip Branson & Mikelangelo
Assistant Director Nescha Jelk
Associate Designer Romanie Harper
Audio Visual Designer Chris Petridis
Sound Designer Michael Toisuta
Assistant Director Nescha Jelk
Associate Designer Romanie Harper
Choreographer Tania Mitford
Stage Manager Amy Harris
Assistant Stage Manager Mel Dyer
Stage Management Secondment – NIDA Jennifer Parsonage
Production Managers Gavin Norris, Martin Kinnane
Child Chaperone Whitney Richards
STCSA Head of Workshop John Meyer
Costumes made by State Theatre Company Wardrobe. Scenery made by State Theatre Company Workshop
STCSA Head of Wardrobe & Masquerade Wardrobe Show Supervisor Kellie Jones
Cutter & Costume Makers Martine Micklem, Enken Hagge, Emma Brockliss, Caitlyn Newbury
Costume Props Maker Stephanie Fisher, Kyle Boen
Wigs & facial hair Jana Davies
With Jack Andrew, Pip Branson, Kate Cheel, Helen Dallimore, Louis Fontaine, Guy Freer, Sam Martin, Mikelangelo, Phil Moriarty, Nathan O’Keefe, Zindzi Okenyo.
Season 7 – 17 January
Performance Times
Monday – Friday 6:30pm
Saturday 12:30pm and 7pm
[Images by Brett Boardman]
Kate Mulvany on Masquerade
Kate’s Personal Journey, Masquerade
Full Book Reading, Masquerade
“Masquerade is a delight from start to finish.” ★★★★ Time Out
“…terrific performances all round” ★★★★ Sunday Telegraph
“[Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen’s] music, and Mulvany’s new story, bring to this production an emotional power that the original never had.” The Australian
“Masquerade is alchemy in action. As a winsome fantasy it is fantastical and as a clear-eyed rendering of the real world of childhood it is moving and honest.” Stage Noise
“Masquerade is lively and visually inventive.” Sydney Morning Herald
“This is an amazing production…Careful and loving writing, deft direction and talented design and acting..” Stage Whispers
“A vivacious collaboration of music, light, colour, costume and larger-than-life characters… Masquerade… interweaves a sombre reality with a beautiful and bizarre other world” The Conversation
“The ensemble leap in and out of their various roles with plenty of dexterity ” Crikey
“…Mulvany’s adaptation is exemplary. At once light-handed and bold, it transforms this book into children’s theatre of unusual depth and charm.” ABC Arts
“…a poignant, charming play animated by vivid spectacle and costume, offbeat humour and musical flair, all of which deepens, rather than sugar-coats, the story of love and death at its core.” The Age
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Major Festivals Initiative, managed by the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals, Sydney Festival, Melbourne Festival, State Theatre Company of South Australia and Griffin Theatre Company.
@griffintheatre