A giant of Australian theatre, John Bell returns to the Sydney Theatre Company’s stage in the title role for this production, which is earmarked as a must-see for this year.
The Father by French playwright Florian Zeller received its Australian premiere at the STC from 19 August to 21 October. The Molière award-winning play has captivated audience in Paris, London and New York, and has garnered critical acclaim and a long list of awards.
A deeply unsettling and profoundly moving mystery, The Father is the story of André (John Bell): a proud and intelligent man wrestling with the challenges of old age. Now 80 years old, André was once a tap dancer. He lives with his daughter Anne and her husband Antoine. Or was he an engineer whose daughter lives in London with her new lover Pierre? Either way, he’s still wearing his pyjamas and he can’t find his watch. He is starting to wonder if he’s losing his mind.
Director Damien Ryan, who has met acclaim leading independent theatre company Sport for Jove, brings his skills to STC for the first time in this co-production with Melbourne Theatre Company. The story is shaped by a strong cast with Anita Hegh playing devoted daughter Anne, and Marco Chiappi playing Pierre. They join Faustina Agolley who is making her STC debut as Laura.
The Rather is showing at the Sydney Theatre Company form 19 August to 21 October. For tickets and more information, see their website here
