It’s My Party (And I’ll Die If I Want To)
By Elizabeth Coleman
2013 National Tour
February 22 – 21 July, 2013 – 21.5 week tour to 45 venues in VIC, NSW, QLD, NT & TAS
Nunawading, Warragul, Drysdale, Portland, Bendigo, Parkdale (return season), Traralgon, Wonthaggi, Upwey, Moonee Ponds, Wangaratta, Griffith, Queanbeyan, Parramatta, Belrose, Hurstville, Liverpool, Dubbo, Tamworth, Newcastle, Cessnock, Port Macquarie, Gunnedah, Coffs Harbour, Tenterfield, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, Redcliffe, Logan, Cleveland, Boonah, Ipswich, Brisbane (return season), Proserpine, Ayr, Charters Towers, Townsville, Mackay, Darwin, Melbourne, Swan Hill, Devonport, Shepparton, Ararat, Hamilton, Colac
A production by Christine Harris & HIT Productions
Since its 1993 premiere at La Mama, where the play broke the venue’s 30-year box office record, It’s My Party (And I’ll Die If I Want To) has enjoyed numerous successful stagings both in Australia and overseas, including an off-Broadway season in New York in 1999. For 2013, marking its 20th year in business, HIT Productions is proud to present as its 55th touring production It’s My Party (And I’ll Die If I Want To), also celebrating its 20th anniversary.
RON (addresses the audience): Good evening. At 10.23pm on January 24, my doctor gave me three months to live. By my calculations, that leaves me with exactly… (looks at clock) 111 minutes. So Dawn’s invited the kids around for party pies and Pavlova.
Gruff, well ordered, quintessentially Aussie family man Ron is convinced he is dying. In a magnanimous gesture of loving finality, he hosts a party, giving his wife and children the chance to spend a few last quality moments as a family. The gathering brings about some urgent confessions, a surprise ‘wedding’, and a visit from the undertaker. As the minutes tick away, Ron’s party schedule unravels to reveal a dysfunctional family unit that is both outlandishly bizarre and utterly recognisable.
From the writer that brought you the highly successful comedy Secret Bridesmaids’ Business, Elizabeth Coleman’s deliciously funny and sweetly darkplay It’s My Party (And I’ll Die If I Want To) is a tale of anxiety, absurdity and occasionally terror. Like all great comedies, there is laughter… but the elbow jabbing at your ribs is that little bit sharper than expected.
Cast
Ron: Henri Szeps
Dawn: Robyn Arthur
Michael: Trent Baker
Sharon: Sharon Davis
Debbie: Freya Pragt
Ted: Matt Furlani
Creatives
Playwright: Elizabeth Coleman
Director: Denis Moore
Set Designer: Shaun Gurton
Lighting Designer: Jason Bovaird
Costume Designer: Adrienne Chisholm
Sound Designer: Chris Hubbard