Sparkling with razor sharp wit and humour, CRUNCH TIME tackles pertinent social issues head-on in this tale of family and duty. Don’t miss Australian theatre heavy-weight David Williamson’s final play before retirement.
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It is with great disappointment that we’ve taken the difficult decision to cancel the remaining season of CRUNCH TIME.
Ticket holders will be contacted directly. Please click here for more information.
WORLD PREMIERE
Steve is the typical Aussie bloke, self-assured, social and sports-mad. Recently retired from a high-flying career, he’s passed the family business over to his son Jimmy – a chip off the old block. But his eldest son Luke, an engineer with more of an interest in algebra than AFL, has never quite seen eye-to-eye with his dad and they haven’t spoken in eight years. When Steve suddenly falls ill, time is running out to repair their broken relationship – and Luke and Jimmy will have to go to extreme lengths to fulfil their father’s final wishes.
Sparkling with razor sharp wit and humour, CRUNCH TIME tackles pertinent social issues head-on in this story of family and duty. Directed by Mark Kilmurry with a cast including John Wood (BLUE HEELERS) and Guy Edmonds (BETRAYAL), don’t miss Australian theatre heavyweight David Williamson’s final play before retirement.
"Williamson's trademark sense of dramatic irony is lively to the end" The Sydney Morning Herald
★★★★½ "Every actor nails the... quirks of their characters" State of the Art
★★★★ "Williamson’s wry humour ingratiates the family with their audience and punctuates their combat" Australian Book Review
"There is as much humour... as joy, tenderness and disappointment" Sydney Arts Guide
"A fine swan song for the finest playwright Australia has ever seen... a show you cannot miss" State of the Art
"The performers bend and expand them [the characters] into rich individuals" Australian Book Review
"All of them deliver lively performances... Director Mark Kilmurry has gathered a strong cast" Limelight
David Williamson AO
Playwright
Mark Kilmurry
Director
Janine Watson
Assistant Director
Diane Craig
Cast
Megan Drury
Cast
Guy Edmonds
Cast
Matt Minto
Ensemble Theatre: BENEFACTORS, RHINESTONE REX & MISS MONICA, CRUNCH TIME, THE BIG TIME, ODD MAN OUT. Darlinghurst Theatre: THE PRIDE. Red Line Productions (Old Fitz): COCK. Silo Theatre: ANGELS IN AMERICA PART ONE & TWO. Circa Theatre: RABBIT. Q Theatre: EVERYTHING AFTER. Herald Theatre/Auckland Live: COCK. Eclipse Productions: TIME STANDS STILL. Maidment Theatre: OTHELLO. Bedlam Theatre: TWELFTH NIGHT. Community20 Theatre: MACBETH. Offstage Theatre: THE THREE SISTERS. Film: INFINI. Television: THE BAD SEED, THE BLUE ROSE, SHORTLAND STREET, HOME AND AWAY, I ROCK, WELLMANIA, LAST KING OF THE CROSS, WATCHING YOU.
Emma Palmer
Cast
John Wood
Cast
Lauren Peters
Set & Costume Designer
Nicholas Higgins
Nick has been an independent lighting designer since graduating from WAAPA in 1999. He has worked across all genres in all states and for most companies. Nick is not only a Lighting Designer, but a photographer and film-maker. He has worked extensively for Ensemble Theatre and was a nominee for the Best Lighting Design Award, Sydney Theatre Awards for his design for FRANKENSTEIN. Nick and his partner moved to Tasmania after working on a show and falling in love with the state. He just hopes that no-one else finds out how wonderful it is here!
Anthony Lorenz
Sound Realiser
Brooke Kiss
Stage Manager
Stephanie Lindwall
Stephanie is a graduate of the Australian Academy of Dramatic Art.
As Stage Manager: THE RASPUTIN AFFAIR, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, GOOD PEOPLE (Ensemble Theatre), HOOTING AND HOWLING (Critical Stages Regional Tour), SENIOR MOMENTS (Return Fire Productions), PRIDE, THE HORSES MOUTH FESTIVAL, BONDI FEAST (TRS), SET: THE PLAY (NIDA Independent), A VIEW FROM MOVING WINDOWS (Riverside Theatres), ON THE RAZZLE (AADA). As Swing Technician: THE REMOVALISTS (TRS), SAY HELLO FIRST (Cupboard Love). As Production Manager: (& Mentor) PLAYHOUSE CREATURES (AADA), SAY HELLO FIRST (Cupboard Love), BODY LANGUAGE (107 Projects), BEFORE/ AFTER (AADA). As Assistant Stage Manager: EMPIRE (TRS), THE WIZARD OF OZ (Packemin), THE WOODSTOCK EXPERIENCE (AIM), THE THREE LIVES OF LUCY CABROL (AADA). As Producer: GODS AND GAMES: NEW SHORT WORKS (AADA). As an Actor: TALKING WITH (Bare Productions), VARIOUS TVC, EMPIRE (TRS), HOME COOKING, SEX- ED (Eastside Radio), GRIMM TALES (Customs House), BEFORE/AFTER, GODS & GAMES: NEW SHORT WORKS, A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM, THE SKRIKER (AADA).
Renata Beslik
Costume Supervisor“I always return to writing about families because they shape us and give rise to our most intense emotions, be they tears of joy or tears of rage. CRUNCH TIME is about a family at crisis point, with no easy way out. It’s often blackly funny but hopefully doesn’t dodge life’s biggest and most pressing question – ‘What’s it all about?’ ” – Playwright David Williamson
Photography: Prudence Upton
Want to know more about CRUNCH TIME? Our downloadable program is full of exciting extra tidbits about the show. You’ll find a message from playwright David Williamson, a director’s note from Mark Kilmurry, a timeline of David Williamson’s productions at Ensemble Theatre, synopsis, photos of the rehearsals and more!