Download Media Release 22 jUNE

THE WEST END AND BROADWAY HIT COMEDY
THE GRADUATE
PERTH SEASON - STARRING JERRY HALL
HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE
From 26th August – STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON
In this stage version, this iconic piece of American pop culture has taken London, Toronto, and
Broadway by storm. Theatre critics have called THE GRADUATE:
“A sensational triumph! The clever and silky smooth production is a major
achievement for author Terry Johnson.”
“Fans of the film will be delighted to see their favorite bits and hear their favorite lines
while getting more than just a screen-to-stage transcription to chew on.”
“The stage play of THE GRADUATE is a better drama than the movie — clever and
awfully satisfying.”
Now it’s Australia’s turn to see Jerry Hall play the legendary seductress, reclaiming her role as the
sexy, sultry Mrs Robinson in an exclusive PERTH season of THE GRADUATE!!
Twenty year old Benjamin Braddock has graduated with top marks much to the delight of his proud
parents and has a fine future ahead of him. That is until he finds himself seduced by Mrs Robinson,
one of his parents’ oldest and dearest friends. Young enough to be her son and old enough to know
better, it isn’t long before Benjamin is helping Mrs Robinson with her zipper…
Adapted from Charles Webb’s novel and the Oscar award winning film, The Graduate is at once both
a moving coming of age story and a terrifically funny black comedy. As relevant today as the day it
was written, The Graduate is set against a soundtrack of some of the most memorable songs of the
sixties including Wouldn’t It Be Nice by The Beach Boys, Everybody’s Talkin’ by Harry Nilsson and, of
course, The Sound of Silence and Mrs Robinson by Simon and Garfunkel.
The Times of London says, “Jerry
Hall is cool, suave, sleek, languid, elegant and
charismatic: which is all that Mrs. Robinson should be.”
Besides her role as Mrs. Robinson, Ms. Hall has numerous theatre credits to her name, including
originating the role of Sugar in Bud Shrake’s Benchmark, directed by Michael Rudman at the New
End Theatre in Hampstead. She also has had roles in the U.S. and West End productions of Bus
Stop, the West End productions of The Vagina Monologues and The Play What I Wrote. She was the
guest star with the North American Tour of The Vagina Monologues in Austin, Texas, and toured
England with Picasso’s Women, a 52-minute monologue. More recently Jerry performed in the West
End hit production of Calendar Girls.
One of the most eagerly anticipated openings in recent memory in the West End, The Graduate
provoked a media frenzy with the public clamouring to get tickets. Now audiences in Australia have a
chance to see what all the fuss is about, but to see Jerry Hall starring in The Graduate they will need
to come West.
The Graduate starring Jerry Hall at His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth for 21 performances only, previews
on the 26th August and opens on the 28th August 2010!
“A SMART, SEXY, FUNNY NEW PLAY”
Independent on Sunday
In announcing this Perth only season of The Graduate starring Jerry Hall, Andrew Kay of the
Producers Kay and McLean Productions said:
“We are delighted to be working with our partners at the Perth Theatre Trust, and for the first
time, Eventscorp WA to bring Jerry Hall and The Graduate to His Majesty’s Theatre. Perth is a
great theatre town and we are thrilled to be able to bring Perth audiences this fabulous
production starring one of the world’s most beautiful and talented performers. Jerry Hall’s Mrs
Robinson lit up London’s West End and we are sure she will now do the same for Western
Australia”.
“The partnership between the State Government, through the Perth Theatre Trust, and Kay
and McLean Productions has created an exciting opportunity for His Majesty’s Theatre to host
The Graduate. I am sure Western Australians will embrace the chance to see this performance
of a story which has engaged audiences for more than forty years.”
Minister for Culture and the Arts John Day
“Eventscorp, is pleased to support The Graduate and I’m confident the production will be a
major drawcard for Western Australians and visitors alike’.
David van Ooran – Executive Director, Eventscorp
His Majesty’s Theatre General Manager, Rodney Phillips says
“The Perth Theatre Trust and His Majesty’s Theatre are delighted to be working for the first
time with Eventscorp in bringing this quality theatre production to Perth and look forward to a
successful partnership on this and future events.”
THE GRADUATE Perth season is directed by Peter Lawrence, adapted by Terry Johnson, from the
novel by Charles Webb and the screenplay by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry, and is produced
by Kay & McLean Productions Pty Ltd in association with the Perth Theatre Trust, HVK Productions
and Michael Coppel and sponsored by Eventscorp.
Production design is by Rob Howell (sets and costumes), Hugh Vanstone (lighting) and Christopher
Cronin (sound). THE GRADUATE features songs by Paul Simon, performed by Simon and Garfunkel,
and original music composed and arranged by Barrington Pheloung.
The Graduate was originally commissioned and produced on the London and Broadway stage by
John Reid and Sacha Brooks.
The Graduate starring Jerry Hall, His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth for 21 performances only!
To book your tickets call the box office now on (08) 9484 1133 or 1800 193 300, or online at
www.bocsticketing.com.au For Groups call (08) 9321 6831 or Fax (08) 9486 1722
Further media information or interviews please contact:
Lynne Burford at Lynne Burford Publicity - Ph: 9355 1455 or 041 792 1038