Darlinghurst Theatre Company and O’Punksky’s Theatre present one of the great Irish plays of the last century. The Gigli Concert by Tom Murphy will preview from 4 April and open on 8 April at the Eternity Playhouse.Directed by John O’Hare (The Seafarer), the cast includes Patrick Dickson (Carson’s Law, Rake) as JPW King, Maeliosa Stafford (Faith Healer) as the mysterious Irishman, and Kim Lewis (Sons and Daughters) as Mona.
Director John O’Hare said he was thrilled to be working with a true ensemble of great actors on what is arguably Tom Murphy’s dramatic masterwork.
“For me The Gigli Concert is a reflection of all that I am and potentially could be,” said O’Hare.
“This is a comedy with a Faustian pact at its heart. It is a wicked celebration of despair, which at the same time reminds me of the power of friendship to heal the deepest wounds.”
Darlinghurst Theatre Company director Glenn Terry said he was very proud to be working with O’Punksky’s again.
“John O’Hare, Patrick Dickson and Maeliosa Stafford are outstanding artists in their own right. Each has a professional theatre career and they come together as O’Punksky’s to create theatre that they feel deeply connected to, and passionate about and they deliver standout productions of Irish drama.”
O’Punksky’s Theatre is a company rich in creativity, resilience and resourcefulness. The directors are all founding members and all act, direct, design, write and produce. They’ve been producing plays since 1990, with hits such as Winter’s Discontent, Bailegangaire and The Cavalcaders and first performed The Gigli Concert at the Old Fitzroy in 1999.
The new iconic Eternity Playhouse theatre is housed in a 126-year-old heritage listed building that has been restored and renovated by the City of Sydney into a state-of-the-art theatre and is the new home for the Darlinghurst Theatre Company. The former Baptist Tabernacle was named in honour of Sydney identity, Arthur Stace, who became known as “Mr Eternity”. It was in this very church that Stace heard the sermon that inspired him to anonymously chalk “Eternity” on the city’s footpaths for over 30 years.
