Movie award season all about THE PITCH!
Connery, Crowe, De Niro and more in Queensland Theatre Company’s season opener from February 2
All the big names are in it – Russell Crowe, Clint Eastwood, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Sean Connery – and as the world settles into movie award season, Queensland Theatre Company’s 2013 opener, The Pitch is one live show not to miss!!!
With the Golden Globes last week, the Producers Guild Awards coming up on January 27, the BAFTA’s on February 11 and Academy Awards on February 25, the movie industry award season is in full swing and it’s the perfect time for QTC’s opening double bill – The Pitch & The China Incident, by acclaimed writer Peter Houghton.
All films start with a great movie idea and script, followed by the most important part of the film-making process – ‘the pitch’ to prospective film producers. No producers – no film! To celebrate the movie award season, QTC can’t wait for audiences to experience The Pitch.
Winner of a Green Room Award for Best New Australian Play, The Pitch sees Brisbane based director Catarina Hebbard team up with Hugh Parker playing more than 30 characters including down-and-out film writer Walter Weinermann.
Witty, manic and oozing modern truths, the story sees Walter psyching himself up for the biggest pitch meeting of his life with a panel of powerful producers. He has an epic idea and a dream cast with all the biggest Hollywood names, but no decent ending, and so the die is cast for Peter Houghton’s fast paced script, where audiences ultimately find out if Walter is destined to be a millionaire – or just another Hollywood wannabe.
The Pitch opens the 2013 season with companion piece, The China Incident starring Barbara Lowingand directed by Daniel Evans making his QTC debut.
In The China Incident, Barbara plays Bea Pontivec, a high flier who has direct hotlines to the White House, to the United Nations and to a bloodthirsty dictator. She’s a power-broker, a playmaker, a cast-iron negotiator and a control freak. But as this pin-sharp satire becomes more frenetic, and her personal and professional lives collide, Bea will learn the meaning of the term ‘communications breakdown’.
These two shows are an actor’s dream; two tour de force roles. Even pint-sized powerhouse Dame Judi Dench says there’s one acting gig that leaves her shaking in her shoes: the one-person show.
And who can blame her? A one-person performance is a test of the actor’s mettle, an endurance run. There are no exits or entrances, no other cast members to draw the audience’s gaze. It’s intense. But in this case also a great night out. Both shows are hilarious, high energy pieces which carry wonderful ties to today’s world of fast ideas and fast talk.
Queensland Theatre Company presents The Pitch and The China Incident
By Peter Houghton
2 February to 9 March, 2013 at the Cremorne Theatre, QPAC
The Pitch – WINNER GREEN ROOM AWARD BEST NEW AUSTRALIAN PLAY (2006)
Director: Catarina Hebbard
Designer: Simone Romaniuk
Lighting Designer: Ben Hughes
Composer/Sound Designer: Lawrence English
Cast: Hugh Parker
The China Incident
Director: Daniel Evans
Designer: Simone Romaniuk
Lighting Designer: Ben Hughes
Composer/Sound Designer: Lawrence English
Cast: Barbara Lowing
Tickets on sale NOW: QTIX 136 246 or visit qpac.com.au. Multi-play packages start from just $84. To purchase Season Tickets call 1800 355 528 or visit queenslandtheatre.com.au
