Macquarie July 15, 2010

the flagship performing arts event
in observance of the bicentenary of Governor Macquarie’s tenure
MACQUARIE
Written By Alex Buzo & Directed by Wayne Harrison
A Story Two Hundred Years in the Making
Only at Riverside Theatres
15 – 31 July
The father of Australia, Governor Lachlan Macquarie extolled values of emancipation, egalitarianism and
exploration. His visionary leadership over twelve years was revolutionary and his critical influence was far
reaching; he commissioned over two hundred public works, many of which established greater Sydney’s character
and ordered works and exploration as far south as Tasmania and as far north as Queensland. Alex Buzo’s
dynamic and provocative play, Macquarie provides powerful insight into the fate of this remarkable man whose
foresight and enlightened policies gave Sydney some of its finest buildings and whose humanitarian policies dared
to give convicts a fair go.
Macquarie Group, Riverside Theatres and The Alex Buzo Company are proud to present the flagship performing
arts event, Macquarie exclusively at Riverside Theatres for the bicentenary of this astonishing visionary being
instated as Governor of New South Wales. Internationally renowned director Wayne Harrison brings a fresh,
contemporary interpretation to Buzo’s award-winning play, Macquarie at Riverside Theatres from 15 July to
31 July.
Macquarie’s story is inextricably linked to the legacy of modern Australia and coloured with his magnanimity,
compassion and dedication to progress. In Buzo's absorbing tale based on actual events, but laced with
contemporary references, Governor Macquarie, played by Jack Campbell, is an unorthodox hero determined to
enrich the colony to which he has been surprisingly assigned. The irony and tragedy of Macquarie's demise,
despite his status as a celebrated visionary today, is as ageless as it is inevitable. It highlights the age-old
dilemma of the liberal reformer: you play by the rules, while those who uphold the system and oppose you, rarely
do, especially if there are Sydney obsessions involved... money, power and real estate. The forces that oppose
Macquarie are led by Samuel Marsden, the Flogging Parson, played by David Whitney; and the main beneficiary
of Macquarie's enlightenment, is Francis Greenway, the talented architect who rose to fame despite his darker
past. Buzo moves these figures around like chess pieces in an imperial board game and bit by bit the real people
behind the uniforms and the posturing are revealed.
Director, Wayne Harrison has impressive directorial credits both within and outside of Australia. He is the
former Artistic Director of Sydney Theatre Company and was the Creative Director of Sydney’s New Year’s Eve
from 2005 to 2007. He is the director of the currently touring Codgers, Bell Shakespeare’s Just Macbeth and the
forthcoming concert tour, David Campbell’s Broadway.
In the role of Governor Macquarie is Jack Campbell, who has previously collaborated with Wayne Harrison in
Sydney Theatre Company’s Six Degrees of Separation. Most recently, he played the role of Dr Steve Taylor in the
well loved television series All Saints. David Whitney plays the malevolent Reverend Samuel Marsden and his
recent theatre credits include Bell Shakespeare Company’s The Alchemist, As You Like It, Macbeth and The
Tempest.
Megan Drury plays the role of Mrs Elizabeth Macquarie and her theatre credits include Griffin Independent’s
Tattoo and Company B’s Ruben Guthrie. Drury also appears in the popular Nine Network series Underbelly III:
The Golden Mile. Playing John Campbell is Graham Harvey, whose extensive credits include Measure For
Measure, Nicholas Nickleby and Les liaisons dangereuses 'for the Sydney Theatre Company and he has appeared
in many television series some of which include Water Rats, All Saints and Neighbours. In the role of Lord
Bathurst is Alan Dukes, who stars in the recently released feature film, Beneath Hill 60. His recent theatre credits
include Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shining City and the STC’s The Great.
Playing the role of Ellis Bent and Mike the TV Reporter is WAAPA graduate, Kaeng Chan, who has worked as a
presenter and host for Playhouse Disney both on television and as a live performer. Multi-talented Craig
Meneaud plays the role of Jeffrey Bent and Harry the convict. His recent credits include Homebody/Kabul at
Belvoir St Theatre and a guest role in the television series Sea Patrol. Russell Smith is playing the roles of
Commissioner Bigge and Polski, the uni lecturer. His theatre credits include Wild Boys for the Theatre of the Deaf,
Griffin Theatre’s The story of the Miracles at Cookie's Table and Downstairs Belvoir’s Acrobats to name a few.
Chantelle Jamieson, playing the role of Mabel the convict maid, is a recent WAAPA graduate. Her WAAPA
production credits include As You Like It, Fidel’s Cigar, The Odyssey and Charcot amongst others.
The Alex Buzo Company is a young and energetic arts organisation founded in 2007 by Emma Buzo, the
daughter of acclaimed Australian playwright and author Alex Buzo, shortly after he died prematurely in 2006.
The company is dedicated to reinventing his extraordinary canon for contemporary audiences and upholding the
spirit of Alex Buzo’s achievements, who believed that the arts were vital not only for encouraging reflection and
self awareness, but for helping to make life in Australia more enjoyable.
Riverside Theatres wishes to advise patrons that this production is also a part of our Education Season. Please note
that our daytime performances are also offered to school-age audiences, however patrons are most welcome to
attend.
MACQUARIE
RIVERSIDE THEATRES, Cnr Church and Market Sts, Parramatta
DATES: July 15 – 31
TIMES: Thur 15 Jul, Fri 16 Jul, Sat 17 Jul, Mon 19 Jul, Tues 20 Jul, Fri 30 Jul at 7.30pm;
Wed 21 Jul, Thur 22 Jul, Mon 26 Jul, Tues 27 Jul, Wed 28 Jul at 11am;
Fri 23 Jul at 11am & 7.30pm; Sat 24 Jul 4.30pm & 8pm;
Thur 29 Jul at 11am & 6.30pm; Sat 31 Jul at 2.15pm & 7.30pm
TICKET PRICES: Adults $52, Conc $47, 30 & Under $39
BOOKINGS: Riverside Box Office 02 8839 3399 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              02 8839 3399      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or www.riversideparramatta.com.au