Glenn Hazeldine and Georgie Parker reprise their 2010 performances in this updated David Williamson social comedy, complete with a musical trip down memory lane.

Overview

What do a classical violinist and country western lover have in common?

Monica, a highly strung member of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, is forced to give up the violin because of her RSI. Left to mope around her Glebe apartment full of resentment and anger, renovating her kitchen seems like a good distraction.

Enter Gary, AKA Rhinestone Rex, the little known Tamworth country singer turned tradie turned DJ who has been tasked with the job. While they may be polar opposites with seemingly nothing in common, except a love of music, is there something deeper that ties them together?

Glenn Hazeldine and Georgie Parker reprise their 2010 performances in this updated David Williamson social comedy, complete with a musical trip down memory lane.

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

★★★★ "oodles of wit and charm... non-stop witty banter and clever pop culture references, interlaced with honesty and sadness." ArtsHub

"Under Mark Kilmurry’s direction, [Glenn] Hazeldine and [Georgie] Parker present a joyful rom-com, showcasing their talents as consummate performers any audience would be happy to spend time with." Suzy Goes See

"Endearing, delightful, and absolutely enjoyable.” Women's Agenda

“Georgie Parker and Glenn Hazeldine are irresistible, playing two contrasting characters who dance around each other until they fall.” Sydney Arts Guide

“Both actors work well together, playing off one another smoothly. The chemistry is there as well as the stage presence.” Theatre Travels

"It is an unmissable play. Right from the start we were shown just how seasoned the two actors are, with the audience laughing and clapping scene after scene. I'm talking raucous laughter at times, it's been a long time since I've laughed this much at the theatre." Weekend Notes

“A sweet, funny, enjoyable story that is actually believable. And how wonderful to see two actors of this calibre in such an engaging, intimate performance.” City Hub

“A tight production in which the actors are at credible ease.” Stage Noise

“a delightful piece of light comedy with some good underlying explorations on human behavior” Broadway World

“a thoroughly enjoyable theatrical experience in which you’ll be totally engaged.” Sydney Chic

“enjoyable, simple fun with some tender moments” Mindfood

“The twosome is managed beautifully by director Mark Kilmurry.” Stage Whispers

Cast & Creatives
David Williamson

David Williamson

Playwright

David Williamson is Australia’s best known and most widely performed playwright.

Some of his more than forty-five produced plays include THE REMOVALISTS, DON’S PARTY, THE CLUB, TRAVELLING NORTH, THE PERFECTIONIST, SONS OF CAIN, EMERALD CITY, MONEY AND FRIENDS, BRILLIANT LIES, DEAD WHITE MALES, AFTER THE BALL, THE JACK MANNING TRILOGY, THE GREAT MAN, UP FOR GRABS, SOULMATES, SCARLETT O’HARA AT THE CRIMSON PARROTT, NOTHING PERSONAL, WHEN DAD MARRIED FURY, MANAGING CARMEN, CRUISE CONTROL, RUPERT, DREAM HOME, JACK OF HEARTS and ODD MAN OUT. His plays have been translated into many languages and performed internationally, including major productions in London, Los Angeles, New York and Washington (THE CLUB in 1979 and RUPERT in 2014 at the Kennedy Centre as well as a season at the Theatre Royal, Sydney). UP FOR GRABS went on to a West End production starring Madonna in the lead role. David’s screen adaptations of his own plays include THE REMOVALISTS, DON’S PARTY, THE CLUB, TRAVELLING NORTH, EMERALD CITY, along with his original screenplays for feature films including LIBIDO, PETERSEN, GALLIPOLI, PHAR LAP, THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY, and BALIBO (as co-writer) and for television he adapted ON THE BEACH.

Some of David’s many awards include 12 Australian Writers’ Guild Awards, 5 Australian Film Institutes’ Awards for Best Screenplay and, in 1996, the United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Award. David has been named one of Australia’s Living National Treasures.

Mark Kilmurry

Mark Kilmurry

Director
Glenn Hazeldine

Glenn Hazeldine

Cast

Since graduating from NIDA in 1994, Glenn has worked in over 50 professional productions for the STC, Ensemble Theatre, Griffin, Malthouse, MTC, Belvoir, Darlinghurst Theatre, The Old Fitz, Seymour Centre, Bell Shakespeare, Marian St and La Boite.

Recent appearances at Ensemble Theatre include THE JACK MANNING TRILOGY, MANAGING CARMEN, RAPTURE BLISTER BURN, TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE, HAPPINESS and RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA. Other credits include for the STC, THE FATHER (also for MTC), AWAY (also for Malthouse), DISGRACED, LOVE AND INFORMATION (also for Malthouse), AFTER DINNER, PERPLEX and TOT MOM; For Griffin, A HOAX, PORN CAKE; For Merrigong Theatre Company, LETTERS TO LINDY. Recent Film and Television gigs include HOUSE OF BOND, THE MOODYS, ANZAC GIRLS, REDFERN NOW 2, THE ELEGANT GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO KNIFE FIGHTING, ALL SAINTS, BLACKJACK, LAST TRAIN TO FREO and DRIPPING IN CHOCOLATE.
Glenn is a proud member of Actors Equity, where he serves as Vice President of the NSW branch, and is Deputy Chairman of the Actors Benevolent Fund of NSW.

Georgie Parker

Georgie Parker

Cast

With two gold Logies and five silver Logies to her name, Georgie Parker is one of Australia’s leading and most celebrated actors.

Her television credits include, A COUNTRY PRACTICE, GP, ALL SAINTS, THE SOCIETY MURDERS, STEP FATHER OF THE BRIDE, EMERALD FALLS, SCORCHED AND CITY HOMICIDE.

She appeared alongside Susan Sarandon in the international feature film IRRESISTABLE and was the voice of Mrs Poulmer in the animated feature film SANTA’S APPRENTICE.

Georgie’s musical theatre credits include THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER: ARENA SPECTACULAR, HIGH SOCIETY, CRAZY FOR YOU and THE THREEPENNY OPERA. Her theatre credits include SCENES FROM A SEPARATION, CHAPTER TWO, RABBIT HOLE, LET THE SUNSHINE, RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA and RAPTURE BLISTER BURN.

Georgie returned to series television in 2010 when she joined the cast of Network Seven’s HOME AND AWAY.

Rachel Gordon

Rachel Gordon

Understudy

Rachel graduated of the National Institute Dramatic Art (NIDA). Rachel has worked extensively in theatre and was most recently seen in ODD MAN OUT (Ensemble Theatre) and MTC’s production of JASPER JONES. Other theatre credits include: KING LEAR and MACBETH (Bell Shakespeare); DAYLIGHT SAVING (Darlinghurst Theatre Company); BETWEEN TWO WAVES (Griffin Theatre Company); CONCUSSION and DON JUAN (Sydney Theatre Company); BOSTON MARRIAGE, LET THE SUNSHINE and NINETY (Melbourne and Queensland Theatre Companies); MANAGING CARMEN and WIT (Ensemble Theatre); BOEING BOEING (New Theatricals); ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, DEATH DEFYING ACTS, LAST NIGHTS OF BALLYHOO and CRIMES OF THE HEART (Marion St Theatre) OUT THERE (Hair Of The Dog Inc), TAMING OF THE SHREW (EHJ Productions) and BIG HAIR IN AMERICA (Hot House Theatre Company). She was also Assistant Director on The Ensemble Theatre production of SEMINAR in 2013.

Rachel’s film credits are RAZZLE DAZZLE and THUNDERSTRUCK. In television Rachel’s credits include: THE SECRET DAUGHTER, THE COMEDY SHOWROOM: THE LETDOWN, THE MOODY’S, THE GENTLEMEN’S GUIDE TO KNIFE FIGHTING, A MOODY CHRISTMAS, HOME & AWAY, NEIGHBOURS, BLUE HEELERS, THE COOKS, THE COAST, WHITE COLLAR BLUE, FARSCAPE, ALL SAINTS, BACKBERNER, NEVER TELL ME NEVER and BIG SKY.

In 1994 Rachel received a Logie Award nomination for Best Female New Talent for her role on BLUE HEELERS. In 2007 Rachel was personally trained by Al Gore and The Australian Conservation Foundation as a Climate Change Presenter for THE CLIMATE PROJECT.

 

Matt Minto

Matt Minto

Understudy
Veronique Benett

Veronique Benett

Set & Costume Designer
Trudy Dalgleish

Trudy Dalgleish

Lighting Designer
Daryl Wallis

Daryl Wallis

Sound Designer
Ruth Hollows

Ruth Hollows

Stage Manager
Renata Beslik

Renata Beslik

Costume Supervisor
Special Performances

Audio Described

  • Thu 20 Apr 11am
  • Sat 22 Apr 3.30pm

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

Q&A Session

  • Fri 24 Mar 8pm
  • Tue 11 Apr 11am

Free Teen

  • Wed 26 Apr 7.30pm

Director at Work Session (with Mark Kilmurry)

Production Photos
DOWNLOAD YOUR PROGRAM

Discover more about RHINESTONE REX AND MISS MONICA with our digital program. It’s packed full of info about the show including a writer’s note, cast and creative bios, plus photos and more!

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Watch the Trailer