The Judas Kiss – Oscar Wilde Comes to the Old Fitz Theatre, Sydney for Mardi Gras

Red Line Productions is pleased to be partnering with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras again to present a new production of David Hare’s acclaimed play The Judas Kiss from February 15 for a limited four-week season.

In the spring of 1895, Oscar Wilde was larger than life. His masterpiece The Importance of Being Earnest was a hit in the West End. He was the toast of London, yet by summer he was serving two years in prison for gross indecency.

The scene is the Cadogan Hotel in 1895, where Wilde gathers his thoughts after losing a libel suit against the Marquess of Queensbury, the father of his lover Alfred Douglas, aka Bosie. The Marquess, enraged by the couple’s recklessly public and, in Victorian society’s view, amoral affair, openly insulted the writer and thus a lawsuit ensued. Now the defeated writer struggles with a burden of conscience — flee to France to escape persecution or stay and stand his ground, even when Bosie’s love is fickle and inconstant.

Arguably one of Sydney’s best directors, Iain Sinclair (Our Town, All My Sons, The Seed) will direct a brilliant cast lead by the charismatic Josh Quong Tart (The Lion King, Our Town, Underbelly Badness) as Oscar Wilde. The supporting cast includes Robert Alexander (The Tempest, Machinal), Luke Fewster (The Mars Project), Simon London (Doctor Doctor, The Pride), Hannah Raven (Burlesque Idol 2016 winner, Edgars Girls), David Soncin (The House of Ramon Iglesia, Infinity Taster) and Hayden Maher (Harmony, Sunset People) as Lord Alfred Douglas.

“An emotionally rich drama illuminated by Hare’s customary insight and humanity… ★★★★★” – The Globe and Mail

THE JUDAS KISS

Presented by Red Line Productions in association with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Written by David Hare
Directed by Iain Sinclair
Assistant Direction and Lighting Design by Alexander Berlage
Set Design by Jonathan Hindmarsh
Costume Design by Antoinette Barbouttis
Stage Management by Daniel Oliver
Set Construction by Col Emmerton
With Robert Alexander, Luke Fewster, Simon London, Hayden Maher, Josh Quong Tart, Hannah Raven, David Soncin

Venue:                      Old Fitz Theatre, 129 Dowling Street (Cnr Cathedral Street), Woolloomooloo
Season:                    15 February – 11 March
Times:                       Tues-Sat 8:15pm, Sunday 6:30pm
Running Time:        2 hours and 20 minutes (including interval)
Price:                         $42 Adult, $35 Concession, $30 Previews and Cheap Tuesday
Bookings:                 www.redlineproductions.com.au