Stunning production of Thérèse Raquin comes to Civic Theatre

Part of the Civic Season 2017, the production is a superb examination of corrupted morals, set in the notoriously dingy backstreets of Paris in the late 19th century. Thérèse lives a life of servitude and is married off to her sickly cousin in a loveless, arranged marriage.

Her life is suddenly turned around when her husband’s friend, Laurent, arrives and they begin a passionate, feverish affair. What follows in this masterpiece of French literature makes for a story that will have you on the edge of your seat.

As a new Australian work, Therese Raquin is rare in that it takes a classical text, and without re-contextualising the story manages to create something at once timeless and modern.

"This stunning, critically acclaimed, production was nominated for seven 2014 Green Room Awards in all categories of design, direction and performance," said Civic Theatre Manager Vanessa Hutchins.

"This is a perfect show for those who want a larger scale drama on their stages and for those who love period works," she said. "It’s also an absolutely compelling psychological drama, so perfect for those who enjoy thrillers. Thérèse Raquin is a genuinely affecting, thrilling, emotional rollercoaster."

The set exquisitely and imaginatively evokes the 18th century Parisian living quarters of the Raquin family, drawing on the paintings of Toulouse-Lautrec, Edgar Degas and Théodule-Augustin Ribot, amongst others.

Director Gary Abrahams (whose recent work includes Buyer and Cellar for Melbourne Theatre Company and Resident Alien with actor Paul Capsis) has crafted an original and uniquely Australian adaptation of a renowned classic work of French literature, bringing to the production a heightened sense of melodrama and a raw and immediate passion.

Dirty Pretty Theatre is one of Melbourne’s most exciting independent theatre companies, and Thérèse Raquin continues to cement the company's reputation for delivering high quality narrative-based and character-led theatrical drama based on literary sources. Critical Stages is one of Australia's leading producers of touring theatre with the goal of making outstanding independent theatre productions accessible to audiences everywhere.

Tickets on sale at Ticketek.

THERESE RAQUIN

VENUE: Civic Theatre Newcastle

DATES: Friday 16 June, 8pm

Saturday 17 June, 8pm

DURATION: 2hrs 15 mins including 20 min interval

Suitable for audiences 16 and over: occasional course language and mature themes

DIRECTOR: GARY ABRAHAMS

CAST:

• JESSICA CLARKE as Thérèse
• ANDRE JEWSON as Camille
• MARTA KACZMAREK as Madame Raquin
• EMILY MILLEDGE as Suzanne
• JAMES O'CONNELL as Laurent
• DAVID ROSS PATERSON as Michaud
• MARK WILSON as Grivet