SUMMER RAIN

BOOK AND LYRICS BY NICK ENRIGHT,

MUSIC BY TERENCE CLARKE

15 NOVEMBER – 17 DECEMBER 2016

“Year after year the game’s not worth a cracker/
Then the moon changes colour and the sky lights up”

Christmas Eve, 1945. Harold Slocum, proprietor of Slocum’s Travelling Family Tent Show, has a love of the horses, an intimate relationship with bookies and no money to pay his troupe.

After the performers walk out, the Slocum family finds itself in the drought-blighted NSW outback town of Turnaround Creek. Deciding to put on a show, they muster the enthusiasm of the townsfolk, despite the hostility shown by local publican Barry Doyle, who remembers the last time Harold was in town, 16 years previously.

Then the drought breaks and the Slocums are stranded. Over nine days of rain, dormant memories of an illicit affair resurface and emotions run high, new life is breathed into the town, love blossoms and a feeling of rejuvenation and optimism for the future after the long years of war, beings to take hold.

Nick Enright and Terence Clarke’s charming musical celebrates the vaudeville troupes which travelled outback Australia in the 1930s and 40s and the tight-knit rural communities they entertained.

A light-hearted yet bittersweet story, delightful songs and lively dance numbers makes Summer Rain the perfect way to end the year.

CREATIVE TEAM

Director/Choreographer Trent Kidd
Musical Director Tim Cunniffe
Set and Costume Designer Mason Browne
Lighting Designer Juz McGuire
Associate Musical Director Glenn Moorehouse
Assistant Director/Assistant Choreographer Caroline Mooney
Production Manager/Stage Manager Jo Jewitt
ASMs Christine Ciuciura, Jessie Huang, Becky Matthews
Operator Martin Gallagher

CAST

Rebecca Burchett, Daisy Cousens, Laurence Coy, Anna Freeland, Catty Hamilton, Tom Handley, David Hooley, Nat Jobe, Jaimie Leigh Johnson, Michele Lansdown, Joy Miller, Jacqui Rae Moloney, Clare Ellen O’Connor, Brett O’Neill, Steven Ritchie, Andrew Sharp, Chris Wilcox

“Full of heart … Engages our emotions and captures all our senses … Highly recommended” Suzy Goes See

“An Australian work of wide and enduring appeal” Theatre People

“FOUR STARS! A wonderfully evocative revival of this rarely seen Australian musical” Arts Hub

“New Theatre is fortunate indeed to have access to a singing/dancing/acting talent pool and when it all comes together, as it has in this show, the results are close to sublime” Oz Baby Boomers

“Summer Rain never ceases to delight and engage me, and an excellent ensemble cast, capably directed by Trent Kidd, has ensured a fourth marvellous theatrical journey for me … Get along to see this very special Australian musical” Stage Whispers

“The performances are extraordinary. This cast is all class … Trent Kidd’s direction is wonderful, his choreography is delightful … Tim Cunniffe’s band is marvellous and the singing gorgeous … Set and costume design by Joshua Mason Browne is magnificent and intriguingly versatile … [Nick Enright and Terence Clarke’s play] is a deeply humane gift, a tale of wonder and of reconciliation” Theatre Red

“FOUR STARS! If you’re a fan of either musicals or Australian theatre, I highly recommend checking out this show. It’s another brilliant production in what has proven to be an amazing season for New Theatre” The Buzz From Sydney

“Directed and choreographed by Trent Kidd, it boasts fine ensemble work from a terrifically talented cast, a crack band under the musical directorship of Tim Cunniffe, and a gun production design by Mason Browne” Australian Stage

“I had a very good time and I can recommend it very easily” Kevin Jackson