Double Act
By Barry Creyton
2006 National Tour
February 16 – April 1, 2006 – 7 week tour to 20 venues in VIC, TAS, ACT, NSW, QLD, SA
Horsham, Portland, Shepparton, Yarram, Traralgon, Prahran, Warrnambool, Wonthaggi, Colac, South Morang, Werribee, Devonport, Nunawading, Tuggeranong, Woy Woy, Taree, Tenterfield, Nambour, Ipswich & Redcliffe.
A production by Christine Harris & HIT Productions
Double Act was optioned and picked up for Broadway and is now produced in 18 languages. The play is written by Barry Creyton, an accomplished writer, who you will remember from our television screens on Graham Kennedy’s Blankety Blanks. Double Actis directed by Terence O’Connell who directed the well-known plays Steamingand Minefields and Miniskirts. The set and costume design is by Jamie Clennett with thelighting design by Michele Preshaw.
Double Act stars Tina Bursill who you will all remember from her long running roles in Skyways as Louise Carter and Prisoner as Sonia Stevens; and Joe Petruzzi known for his long running role on Stingers as Bernie Rocca.
We meet George and Alex, once a happily married couple, who meet by chance at a restaurant after their divorce. Their relationship takes off again from this casual meeting and the same problems and issues that were there to pick from before, come out again. The same ones that drove them earlier to divorce. The new found old relationship hurtles towards oblivion as Alex and George desperately seek to save the partnering and in the end are simply saving themselves. Double Act shifts from laughter to tears. A wonderful script provoking laughs from the wit and marvellous use of the English language. Barry Creyton set out to create his own version of a Noel Coward style of play. That he succeeded so brilliantly has been witnessed by the rave reviews the play received in its original Sydney season where Barry starred alongside Noeline Brown.
In 2006, award-winning Producer Christine Harris and leading Australian theatre touring production company HIT Productions will be presenting over 50 weeks of touring across Australia. Amongst all of the outstanding productions in 2006 of Hotel Sorrento, Love Child, Wallflowering, The Gin Game and Barmaids. Double Act will tour across 7 weeks to 20 venues Australia-wide.
Reviews
“Double Act is an enjoyable night out with plenty of gentle laughs. The one- liners and double entendres keep it rolling along.”
Caron James, Sunday Herald Sun VIC, 03/06
“Petruzzi’s George is memorably arrogant and unctuous; Bursill’s Alex as acid-tongued and emasculating a virago as we’ve seen since her Prisoner days…It’s an entertaining evening. Devoted to bringing mainstream theatre to outer metropolitan and regional centres across Australia, HIT Productions have one of the most extensive touring schedules in the country. Its production of Double Act will be roving from Ipswich to Wonthaggi in May.”
Cameron Woodhead, The Age, VIC 03/06
“Double Act more than survived to real itself as a class act. Bursill and Petruzzi are excellent as ageing lovers… With Barry Creyton’s record it’s to be expected that the comedy would be handled well.”
Allana Maclean, Canberra Times, ACT 03/06
Cast
Alexandra: Tina Bursill
George: Joe Petruzzi
Creatives
Playwright: Barry Creyton
Director: Terence O’Connell
Designer: Jamie Clennett
Lighting Michele Preshaw