The Penelopiad
By Margaret Atwood
Directed by Rebecca Murphy
Aug 25 – Sept 10 2023 | Co-Produced with PIP Theatre
“Now that I am dead, I know everything…”
Penelope, dutiful wife of Odysseus and less beautiful cousin of Helen, is ready to tell her story.
Left alone for decades while Odysseus fights in the Trojan War, Penelope must face her own battles, managing Ithaca, difficult in-laws, her son, and hordes of increasingly menacing suitors.
Adapted for the stage by Margaret Atwood (The Handmaid’s Tale), The Penelopiad is a contemporary take on Homer’s The Odyssey that sees Penelope and her twelve wronged maids take centre stage. Full of live music, poetry, tragedy, and Atwood’s wicked humour, The Penelopiad is sure to be a night of storytelling at its most epic!
“…the strong imagery and rhythmic songs of QSE’s The Penelopiad have stayed with me for weeks after the performance.” Backstreet Brisbane
“The Penelopiad is a great example of what theatre can be.” Weekend Notes
“…breathtakingly effective.” Theatre Haus
“…an aesthetically rich retelling.” Blue Curtains Brisbane
Program
Team
Production Team:
Director/Choreographer – Rebecca Murphy
Assistant Director – Rebekah Schmidt
Production Manager – Kylii Davies
Stage Manager – Jordan Ferguson
Music Director/Composer – Rob Pensalfini
Fight Director – Jason McKell
Costume Designer – Leah Fitzgerald-Quinn
Set & Props Designer – Josh Murphy
Lighting Designer – Timothy James
Assistant Costume Designer – Linda Ogonowski
Cast:
Liliana Macarone as ‘Penelope’
Riley Anderson as ‘Maid/Telemachus’
Meg Bennett as ‘Maid/Queen Anticleia’
Mikala Crawley as ‘Maid’
Leah Fitzgerald-Quinn as ‘Maid/Helen’
Ellen Hardisty as ‘Maid/Suitor/Naiad’
Sarah Hindle as ‘Maid’
Frances Marrington as ‘Maid/Eurycleia’
Leah Mustard as ‘Maid’
Rob Pensalfini as ‘Maid/Odysseus’
Rebekah Schmidt as ‘Maid/Oracle’
Angus Thorburn as ‘Maid/Suitor/King Laertes’
Willem Whitfield as ‘Maid/Suitor/Icarius’
Recognition & Awards
Matilda Award Nominations: Best Ensemble, Liliana Macarone – Best Performance in a Supporting Role – Independent Production
Broadway World Regional Awards: Best Choreography Of A Play Or Musical
(Rebecca Murphy/ Jason Mckell), Best Costume Design Of A Play Or Musical (Leah Fitzgerald-Quinn), Best Direction Of A Play (Rebecca Murphy), Best Ensemble, Best Lighting Design Of A Play Or Musical (Tim James), Best Performer In A Play (Liliana Macarone), Best Play, Best Scenic Design Of A Play Or Musical (Josh Murphy), Best Sound Design Of A Play Or Musical (Rob Pensalfini), Best Supporting Performer In A Play (Angus Thorburn)
Blue Curtains 2023s To-Sees… (Top 10)
Education/ Schools
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