Melbourne Theatre Company in Victoria had its 1998 season launched by the State of Victoria's Premier and Minister for the Arts The Hon. Jeff Kennett MLA Shakespeare's daughter, fairy tales, poetry, rich eccentrics, marriage, football, love, sex, gender confusion, clairvoyance and Christmas are just some of the elements of the new season.
The Company Director, Roger Hodgman, is presenting his final productions after 10 years at the helm of the Melbourne Theatre Company. These include new stagings of Stephen of Sondheim & Lapine's Into the Woods, David Williamson's The Club and Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, as well as world premieres from Alma De Groen and Michael Gurr. The season will feature many Melbourne Theatre Company favourites: Peter Carroll, Marco Chiappi, Max Gillies, Rachel Griffiths, Robert Grubb, Patricia Kennedy, Gerald Lepowski, Lisa McCune, John McTurnan, Robert Menzies and Robyn Nevin. Rhonda Burchmore and Gina Riley will also be making their MTC debuts.
The opening production is The Herbal Bed by Peter Whelan. Called a love story, a courtroom drama and a moral thriller about Shakespeare's daughter.
Season: January 6 - February 7, 1998 at the Fairfax Theatre Victorian Arts Centre.
Opening January 21 is Into the Woods A contemporary story of a baker and his wife with many fairy tale favourites: Cinderella, Little Red riding Hood, Jack and Rapunzel - into a musical designed to move audiences of all ages. Season: January 21-February 21, 1998. Venue: Playhouse, Victorian Arts Centre. Bookings for both shows: 03 11566. Inquiries email [email protected] .
-- By Peter Kemp
Australia Correspondent
