THE FRONT PAGE

by BEN HECHT and CHARLES MACARTHUR

23 April – 18 May 2024

“A journalist is a cross between a bootlegger and a whore.”

Late at night, in the crowded press room at Chicago’s Criminal Courts, a group of reporters is waiting to cover a controversial execution the next morning.

Then an unexpected event breaks through the banter and bravura, and suddenly a scoop is on the cards.

Written in 1928, this landmark satire introduced the now-familiar character of the hard-living, wise-cracking reporter chasing the big story, no matter what. In 1940, it was turned into the classic screwball comedy His Girl Friday, starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell.

In this fresh adaptation, especially created for this production, the caustic commentary on corruption, manipulation and scandal in politics, journalism and law enforcement still hits a nerve.

The plot twists and turns as much as its ethically elastic characters, and the laugh-a-minute, rapid-fire script will get the adrenaline rushing.

“One of the funniest and most exciting of American plays” New York Times

Patron please note: this production contains sudden loud noises, smoking on stage, strong language, references to violence, sexual slurs, and adult themes

cast

David Allsopp, Cassady Maddox Booth
Dereck Cameron, Alison Chambers
Barry French, Barret Griffin
Megan Heferen, Braydon May
Gerry Mullaly, Georgia Nicholas
Nathan Porteus, Diego Retamales
Michael Smith, Reuben Solomon
Callum Stephen, Rose Treloar
Andrew Waldin, James Yeargain

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: © Birdlandia Art/Shutterstock
Production images: © Chris Lundie