HANGMEN
by MARTIN MCDONAGH
13 August – 14 September 2024
AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE
“The electric bloody chair! I’m told when that goes wrong they come out sizzling like a bloody steak.”
It’s 1965, and capital punishment has just been abolished in the UK.
In a dingy, old-school pub in Oldham, the landlord, Harry, who until recently was known as ‘the second-best hangman in Britain’, holds court.
Surrounded by a motley crew of sycophants and hangers-on, he relishes the celebrity his profession has brought him.
His wife works behind the bar; neither seems to notice that their anxious, awkward teenage daughter is ripe for exploitation.
The arrival of a mysterious stranger from ‘the South’ turns the atmosphere toxic with suspicion, and when Harry’s arch-rival turns up, the clash of egos is both brutal and desperately sad.
This brilliantly plotted and wildly off-beat play ((from the acclaimed writer of In Bruges, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, The Banshees of Inisherin and The Beauty Queen of Leenane) is a stinging condemnation of state-sanctioned murder delivered with furious, macabre humour.
Winner: 2015 Olivier Award for Best New Play
“Tremendous: a departure, and a deepening of McDonagh’s talents.” The Guardian
creative team
Director Deborah Mulhall
Lighting Designer Peter Ross
Lighting/Sound Operator Ricci Costa
cast
To be announced
dates/times
Preview Tue 13 Aug 7:30pm
Opening Night Wed 14 Aug 7:30pm
Thu – Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm
Final performance Sat 14 Sep 2pm
Running time: to be advised
Please note: latecomers will be admitted at a suitable break in the performance
tickets
Full $37
Concessions, Groups (6+) $32
New Theatre Members $25
Thrifty Thursdays $25
Preview $20
Patrons please note: New Theatre is now EFTPOS-only
at Front of House for both ticket and bar sales.
COVID- Safe protocols:
QR code and vaccination checks are no longer required.
Face masks are not mandatory, but recommended.
Main image: © Somchai Som/Shutterstock