PERTH
16 June - 1 July 2017
Heath Ledger Theatre
PERTH 16 June - 1 July 2017 Heath Ledger Theatre
Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA presents
ASSASSINS
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by John Weidman, Based on an idea by Charles Gilbert Jr.
blackswantheatre.com.au
In a fairground, a rogue’s gallery of nine misfits gather. The Proprietor of the game entices them to play, promising that their problems will be solved by killing a President of the United States, with the song “Everybody’s Got the Right”. A revue-style portrayal follows of the many and varied ways that each of the men and women have committed (or attempted to commit) the ultimate crime. It is a highly entertaining diorama of America’s cult of celebrity through the ages and the means that some have used to obtain it.
Sondheim (Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd) is considered a ‘titan of musical theatre’. This work personifies his signature blend of intelligently stunning lyrics and beautiful music, embracing a range of American musical traditions from the 1860s to the 1980s, from marches to spirituals, to folk and rock. Bold, original and alarmingly funny, Assassins is a timely reminder that those in power ignore the marginalised in society at their peril.
Cameron Steens - Performer - Leon Czolgosz
Performed as real-life assassin Leon Czolgosz, with multiple scenes, a barbershop quartet and company numbers.
OutinPerth - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TheatrePeople - “The meeting between Goldman and Polish immigrant assassin Leon Czolgosz (Cameron Steens) has a genuine warmth and Steens’ quiet desperation lovely to watch.”
Australian Book Review - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Australian - “(Cameron Steens) delivered such lyrical singing that one almost forgave their characters the sins of killing..”
Limelight - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Fourth Wall - Black Swan State Theatre Company have really outdone themselves this time – Assassins is a hit!
Cast
featuring in order of appearance
Proprietor - Luke Hewitt
Leon Czolgosz - Cameron Steens
John Hinckley - Nick Eynaud
Charles Guiteau - Will O’Mahony
Giuseppe Zangara - Nathan Stark
Samuel Byck - Geoff Kelso
Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme - Mackenzie Dunn
Sara Jane Moore - Caitlin Beresford-Ord
John Wilkes Booth - Brendan Hanson
Balladeer - Finn Alexander
Emma Goldman - Natasha Vickery
Young Boy - Oliver Halusz
Young Boy - Jacob Clayton
Other characters played by members of the Company
Creative & Production Team
Director - Roger Hodgman
Musical Director - Jangoo Chapkhana
Set Designer - Lawrie Cullen-Tait
Costume Designer - Lynn Ferguson
Lighting Designer - Mark Howett
Sound Designer - Brett Smith
Video Designer - Michael Carmody
Choreographer - Claudia Alessi
Vocal Coach - Julia Moody
Lighting Design Associate - Chloe Ogilvie
Stage Manager - Hugo Aguilar López
Assistant Stage Manager - Katie Moore
Costume Construction - Jenny Edwards, Sarah Forbes & Nicole Marrington
Wardrobe Assistant/Dresser - Julia Rotherford
Wardrobe Student Intern - Sophie Wilkinson
Set Construction - Ben Green
Armourer - Louise Grimshaw
Scenic Artist - Marek Syzler
Transport - Kim Westbrook