‘An absolute must-see.’
‘A love song to the power of community by the late Aidan Fennessy.’
‘A heartwarming night at the theatre.’
‘Fennessy has rendered a regional Victorian community with humour and an attention to detail that few could replicate.’
ABOUT THE SHOW
From the revered playwright behind one of MTC’s most beloved recent hits, The Architect, comes this funny and uplifting celebration of music, friendship and community. A world premiere production, The Heartbreak Choir is a warm-hearted hug of a play that will make you want to sing out loud.
In the old CFA hall on the outskirts of town, a small group of locals come together to sing, and to connect. Aseni, Barbara, Mack, Savannah and Totty have splintered from their original choir on a matter of principle and are intent on forging their own path. With their latest recruit Peter along for the ride, they have a new name, a space to rehearse in and a public debut booked. All they need now is to right the wrongs of the past … and to find a song that pairs perfectly with the local winery’s Sangiovese.
Brought to the stage by The Architect director Peter Houghton, The Heartbreak Choir is a joyful, song-filled snapshot of a devastated community learning how to heal. Featuring Maude Davey (The Newsreader), Carita Farrer Spencer (Ladies in Black), Ratidzo Mambo (Escape from Pretoria), William McInnes (An Ideal Husband), Emily Milledge (The House of Bernarda Alba), Louise Siversen (Noises Off) and Julian Weeks (Savage River), this emotionally resonant MTC NEXT STAGE commission is the last work from playwright Aidan Fennessy – a fitting final act of togetherness.
The Heartbreak Choir was commissioned through MTC’s NEXT STAGE Writers’ Program with the support of our Playwrights Giving Circle Donors, The Ian Potter Foundation, Naomi Milgrom Foundation, The Myer Foundation, Malcolm Robertson Foundation and The University of Melbourne.
Accessibility
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Hearing Assistance
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Audio Described
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Tactile Tour
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Open Captioning
Performance Type | Performance Date(s) |
---|---|
Audio Described
by Vision Australia |
Saturday 14 May at 2pm Tuesday 17 May at 6.30pm |
Tactile Tour
by Vision Australia |
Saturday 14 May, before the 2pm performance |
Open Captioning
via screen |
Saturday 21 May at 2pm |
Cast & Creatives
![Artwork for Maude Davey](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/Maude_Davey-WEB.jpg)
Maude Davey
Barbara
![Artwork for Carita Farrer Spencer](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/Carita-Farrer-Spencer-WEB_ludkog.jpg)
Carita Farrer Spencer
Mack
![Artwork for Ratidzo Mambo](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/Ratidzo_Mambo.jpg)
Ratidzo Mambo
Aseni
![William-McInnes.jpg](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/William-McInnes-Headshot-BW_nn0gqg.jpg)
William McInnes
Peter
![Emily Milledge](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/Emily-Milledge---Headshot.jpg)
Emily Milledge
Savannah
![Louise Siversen](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/v1/Uploads/Louise-Siversen-WEB_i5q9o3.jpg)
Louise Siversen
Totty
![Artwork for Julian Weeks](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/Julian-Weeks-WEB_m2hjyt.jpg)
Julian Weeks
Beau
![Aidan Fennessy](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/v1/legacy/5051.png)
Aidan Fennessy
Writer
![Peter Houghton](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/Peter_Houghton.jpg)
Peter Houghton
Director
![Artwork for Vicky Jacobs](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/Vicky-Jacobs-WEB_tmbgxx.jpg)
Vicky Jacobs
Musical Director
![Christina Smith](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/v1/legacy/5502.png)
Christina Smith
Set & Costume Designer
![Matt Scott](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/v1/legacy/6157.png)
Matt Scott
Lighting Designer
![J David Franzke](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/J-David-Franzke_kgc1fk.jpg)
J. David Franzke
Composer & Sound Designer
![Artwork for Lyall Brooks](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/Lyall-Brooks---Headshot.jpg)
Lyall Brooks
Assistant Director
![Rachel Lee](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/Rachel-Lee---Headshot.jpg)
Rachel Lee
Assistant Lighting Designer
![Artwork for Alexandra Aldrich](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/Alexandra-Aldrich-WEB_oghudo.jpg)
Alexandra Aldrich
Standby Cover (Barbara / Totty / Mack)
![Artwork for Lachlan Beck](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/Lachlan-Beck-WEB_jiefha.jpg)
Lachlan Beck
Standby Cover (Beau)
![Artwork for Andrew Blackman](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/Andrew-Blackman-WEB_x922rf.jpg)
Andrew Blackman
Standby Cover (Peter)
![Artwork for Clare Chihambakwe](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/Clare-Chihamabkwe-WEB_dxorha.jpg)
Clare Chihambakwe
Standby Cover (Aseni)
![Artwork for Margot Fenley](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/Margot-Fenley-WEB_xa1w0v.jpg)
Margot Fenley
Standby Cover (Totty / Mack)
![Artwork for Mia Tuco](https://res.cloudinary.com/mtc-2018/image/upload/c_fill,f_auto,g_auto,h_960,q_auto:eco,w_720/Mia-Tuco-WEB_rygvhm.jpg)