Cut-throat journalist Jez Connell is out for her next sting. It’s been a year since she brought down one of TV’s most lauded stars for behaving badly and now she’s got Michael King, the top-rated darling of public radio, in her sights. This time, it’s personal.

Overview

WORLD PREMIERE

Cut-throat journalist Jez Connell is out for her next sting. It’s been a year since she brought down one of TV’s most lauded stars for behaving badly and now she’s got Michael King, the top-rated darling of public radio, in her sights. This time, it’s personal.

With the loyalty of his longstanding producer wavering, and a hip up-and-coming podcaster eager to take the mic off Mike, has the plug been pulled on Michael King’s career?

This brand new comedy from Melanie Tait, the writer of the sell-out THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE, will send ripples through the airwaves and spark heated debate.

Melanie teams up with director Janine Watson, who recently guided the Ensemble productions of NEARER THE GODS and STILL UNQUALIFIED, to present this world premiere that will have you laughing in the aisles.

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 TICKETSPREVIEWSIN SEASON
FULL PRICE$83$88
SENIOR CARD$80$85
PENSIONER$76$81
GROUP 10 - 19$76$81
GROUP 20+$71$76
30 OR UNDER$40$43
FULL-TIME STUDENT$40$43
MEAA/AWG$40$43
SCHOOL GROUPS$25$25
Reviews

★★★★ “[Tait’s] dialogue is captivating, and her characters feel richly imagined. Her plot for A Broadcast Coup is engaging throughout” Suzy Goes See

★★★★1/2 “ a comedy with some dark laughs and extraordinary insight.” State of the Art

“Tait’s play is well-shaped and gently funny, her characters lovingly drawn and recognisable from the media landscape.” The Guardian

“Tait’s text is a biting one. Each scene is filled with anticipation, the audience can see what’s coming but Tait keeps us rolling with laughter with pithy one-liners about the boomer generation and misogyny that provide insight into the perspectives of the #metoo movement from three different generations.” Limelight Magazine

"Propelled by the riveting sound design by Clare Hennessy, along with Tait’s sharp, athletic dialogue, this is a dynamic, glittering play." Women's Agenda

“Millerchip’s Louise is beautifully drawn and performed” The Sydney Morning Herald

“Melanie Tait is a playwright with a sharp eye for human foibles and how they play out between people” Stage Noise

“great Australian and timely playwriting. Thoroughly entertaining from start to finish. Certainly, one not to miss!” Absolute Theatre

Cast & Creatives
Melanie Tait

Melanie Tait

Playwright
Janine Watson

Janine Watson

Director

Janine was a recipient of the inaugural Sandra Bates Directing Award. For Ensemble Theatre she was Assistant Director on Nina Rayne’s TRIBES and Alan Ayckbourn’s RELATIVELY SPEAKING. She also directed a rehearsed reading of Michael Gow’s AWAY. Janine will direct Bell Shakespeare’s 2018 In-Theatres education production of ROMEO AND JULIET which will be performed at the Sydney Opera House and Vic Arts Centre. She has been a director for Bell’s ACTORS AT WORK program from 2014-2017. She has directed abridged versions of ROMEO AND JULIET, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, HAMLET and MACBETH. For The Old Fitz Janine has directed CRIMES OF THE HEART (2017), DOLORES (2015 co-directed with Kate Box) and INFINITY TASTER (2015). For Melbourne Fringe she directed AGATHA (2010).

Janine is a graduate from the National Theatre Drama School. Her most recent acting credits include, for Television: THE CODE (Shawn Seet). Feature Film: THAT’S NOT ME (Gregory Erdstein). Theatre: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (Iain Sinclair); ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, THE DREAM (Peter Evans) ANTIGONE (Damien Ryan), THREE SISTERS (Kevin Jackson); THE HAPPY PRINCE, DRACULA, DANGEROUS LIAISONS (Stephen Nicolazzo); Janine won the GLUG Award for Best Supporting Actress for A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, and was nominated for a Sydney Theatre Award for the same show. She was nominated for a Green Room award for Best Actress for her work in MKA’s TRIANGLE.

Tony Cogin

Tony Cogin

Cast
Ben Gerrard

Ben Gerrard

Cast

Ben Gerrard graduated from NIDA (BA Acting) in 2006. He is best known for his television work having starred in OPEN SLATHER (Foxtel), MOLLY (2016 AACTA nominee best supporting actor, Drama), OUTLAND (ABC1), as well as the feature film WOLF CREEK 2. Other television credits include A PLACE TO CALL HOME (Foxtel), JACK IRISH: DEAD POINT (ABC), DEEP WATER (SBS), THE POWER OF 10: GALLIPOLI (7 network), and ALL SAINTS (7 Network). Theatre credits most recently include an acclaimed Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane tour of one-man show I AM MY OWN WIFE (OrielGroup/Red Line) for which Ben received a Sydney Theatre Award nomination for Best Actor in an Independent Production. Other recent theatre credits include HIDDEN SYDNEY -THE GLITTERING MILE (Working Management) and YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN (Hayes Theatre Co.). Ben has also toured Australia with the cabaret smash-hit SONGS FOR THE FALLEN (Old Fitz, Seymour Centre, Brisbane Festival, Sydney Festival, Adelaide Cabaret Festival), as well as national tours of SHAKESPEARE’S R & J (Riverside) and ACTORS AT WORK (Bell). He will again be touring I AM MY OWN WIFE in 2018, and was a Mike Walsh Fellowship recipient in 2015.

Alex King

Alex King

Cast
Amber McMahon

Amber McMahon

Cast
Sharon Millerchip

Sharon Millerchip

Cast

Sharon returns to the stage after recently stepping out of the spotlight to work as Resident Director/Choreographer on the Disney blockbuster ALADDIN and Baz Luhrmann’s STRICTLY BALLROOM: THE MUSICAL. Sharon was last seen at the Ensemble Theatre in the smash hit one-woman show BOMBSHELLS, A PICASSO and LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS.

Other main stage roles include Roxie Hart in CHICAGO, Meg Giry in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s LOVE NEVER DIES, Belle in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Anita in WEST SIDE STORY, Charity in SWEET CHARITY, Catherine in PIPPIN, Meg Giry in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Velma Kelly in CHICAGO, Columbia in ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Sonia Walsk in THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG, Demeter in CATS, and Cordelia in FALSETTOS and Little Red Riding Hood in INTO THE WOODS for the STC.

Sharon has received many awards for her performances, including three Helpmann and Sydney Theatre Awards.

Troy Harrison

Troy Harrison

Understudy
Ella Prince

Ella Prince

Understudy
Veronique Benett

Veronique Benett

Costume & Set Designer
Matt Cox

Matt Cox

Lighting Designer

Matt’s career in theatre has spanned 15 years designing lighting in both Australia and the UK.

During his time in London, Matt worked with student directors attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and John Stahl’s solo show BLINDMAN. Since returning to Sydney he has designed numerous theatre productions including for Bangarra Dance Theatre: OUR Land People Stories, BLAK, BELONG. For Carriageworks: LAKE DISAPPOINTMENT. For Siren Theatre Co: THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY. For the Australian Chamber Orchestra: REFLECTIONS ON GALLIPOLI. For Musica Viva: GOLDNER STRING QUARTET. For Bell Shakespeare: HAMLET, ROMEO AND JULIET. For Monkey Baa: THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER. For Sydney Theatre Company: RUBY MOON. For Louise Withers and Associates: THE MOUSETRAP, A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED. For Company B: THE SEED. For Legs on the Wall: SYMPHONY. For Sport for Jove: THE LIBERTINE, OTHELLO, ANTIGONE. For Sydney Festival: THE FAMOUS SPIEGELTENT (2016), THE FAMOUS SPIEGELTENT (2015), THE AURORA SPIEGELTENT (2014). For the Sydney Chamber Opera: HIS MUSIC BURNS.

Matt currently tutors for the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA).

 

Clare Hennessy

Clare Hennessy

Composer & Sound Designer
Lauren Tulloh

Lauren Tulloh

Stage Manager
Evelyn Everaerts-Donaldson

Evelyn Everaerts-Donaldson

Costume Supervisor
Shondelle Pratt

Shondelle Pratt

Intimacy Coordinator

 

 

Special Performances

Audio Described

  • Thu 23 Feb 11am
  • Sat 25 Feb 3.30pm

Tactile Tours are available 1 hour prior to Audio Described performances, please contact the Box Office to book.

Q&A Session

  • Fri 10 Feb 8pm
  • Tue 14 Feb 11am

Free Teen

  • Wed 1 Mar 7.30pm
Photo Gallery

Photography by Prudence Upton

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